Wildlife attractions say emergency fund can't come soon enough

• Emma Wilkinson's report features Katy Duke from The Deep, Karl Turner MP, Hull-based photographer Chris G Smith and Jamie Mintram from Ark Wildlife Park and Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Lincolnshire.

Zoos and aquariums who fear financial disaster and permanent closure because of coronavirus say a government support fund can't come soon enough.

Wildlife attractions in our region, which normally draw in thousands of tourists a day, rely on ticket sales. Closure has seen income dry up over night, but they still have huge outgoing costs associated with caring for animals.

The Deep in Hull says closure during what would be its busiest time is having a major impact on finances, as essential work caring for the 3,000 animals that reside there must continue.

Katy Duke, CEO at The Deep said: "This is the toughest financial crisis that our industry has faced, and the unknown length of the shutdown makes it even harder.

"The next few months will be critical for us. This really is about financial survival and we will be continuing to pursue all avenues available to us including a Government backed loan. Even with furloughed staff our running costs to keep our 'closed' building operational is around £6,500 a day."

Donations are a crucial source of income for many wildlife parks at the moment, but with running costs so high, money is drained quickly.

The Ark Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Lincolnshire is currently reliant on the generosity of the public and local businesses donating money and supplies. Unable to guarantee wages for keepers, the owners have had to furlough their paid staff so their children have stepped in to take on the role of zoo keepers.

Owner, Jamie Mintram said Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the day to day running of the sanctuary but that their children's help has been invaluable.

"We're really lucky to have two kids who are just as passionate about the animals as we are, whereas some of their friends are viewing the time off school as an extension of the Easter holidays, Josh and Chloe have stepped up and taken on the roles of zoo keepers helping us with the daily duties of feeding, poo picking, bedding up and changing waters," he said.

The Tory MP Andrew Rosindell, who chairs the all party parliamentary group for zoos and aquariums, had warned the Government that without urgent action animals may have to be euthanised in some places.

But many wildlife attractions in our region, like The Ark, have dismissed that possibility saying animals will be kept safe no matter what.

During Prime Minister’s Questions last week, First Secretary of State, Dominic Raab announced a new zoos support fund will be launched and opened soon.

He said: “It will be able to provide dedicated support alongside that already made available by the Treasury to help zoos care for their animals during this crisis.”

Zoos and aquariums under increasing financial pressure are eager for the details of the support package to be worked out and shared quickly and for money to be made available as soon as possible.