Celebrity comedians back Whipsnade zoo survival appeal

Famous comedians have lent their voices to a TV advert asking for donations to support the charity which runs Whipsnade Zoo.

Jonathan Ross, Catherine Tate and Alan Carr are among the celebrities who voice animals in the animation.

The advert is in support of ZSL, the charity which runs London Zoo and Whipsnade in Bedfordshire.

The organisation is trying to raise £12m to cover losses made during the coronavirus lockdown.

WATCH: The new TV advert featuring celebrity comics

It has already released one advert voiced by Sir David Attenborough, but the charity's Director General has admitted "we need help now".

Dominic Jermey added: “The closure of London and Whipsnade Zoos put us under immense financial pressure; we’re fighting our biggest challenge in our 200-year history.

“Our zoos fund global conservation work and ground-breaking science at the world-renowned ZSL Institute of Zoology.

"While they may have been able to reopen their gates to the public, we’re still struggling."

Bill Bailey is one of the main stars of the advert, voicing Bob the tamarin monkey.

He said: “I knew ZSL and its two zoos were struggling with the devastating effects of the pandemic, and I wanted to help in any way I could.

“I was delighted to voice Bob the tamarin to support their appeal, as it’s for an excellent cause. 

"I also think Bob and I are quite similar, we both share a certain joie de vivre, and have eccentric facial hair. 

"I’ve worked with ZSL on a number of occasions to raise awareness and support for their important conservation projects for threatened species – but now they’re the ones at risk.”

Both zoos London and Whipsnade Zoos reopened to the public on 15 June, after the sector was allowed to reopen by the government.

The new advert will air on Channel 5 and Sky channels on Monday, 20 July.