#SaveDublinZoo fundraiser tops €1m after warning it may have to close permanently
Dublin Zoo has said this is the most challenging time in their 189-year history. Picture: Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo says it has now received pledges of support topping €1m, a sum it described as "mindblowing".
It comes after the very future of the zoo appeared under threat due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19 and associated restrictions.
The day began with warnings that the zoo may have to close permanently, yet has ended with €1m in donations.
The #SaveDublinZoo campaign swept past the €750,000 mark at around 6pm and by 8pm the zoo announced on its Twitter account that it had now passed the €1m mark.
"Never in our wildest dreams did we think we'd get there - let alone this soon!" it said.
"Your kind message and generous donations have really overwhelmed the entire team at Dublin Zoo.
"We understand this is a challenging time for everyone - your support means so much to us, now more than ever!"
The zoo, open since 1830, has been closed to the public but still faces monthly bills of €500,000 to feed and care for the animals.
A not-for-profit organisation, staff said it may have lost as much as €8.2m this year due to the pandemic.
The government will intervene to support Fota Wildlife Park and Dublin Zoo as the coronavirus pandemic impacts on revenue from gate receipts.
Junior Minister Malcolm Noonan confirmed that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is considering "options" which will offer short term financial support to help the zoo and Fota during their current financial difficulties.
The department said that while it does not ordinarily provide funding to the zoo sector, Mr Noonan and Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien are considering the measures because of the impact Covid-19 has had on the two organisations.
While Dublin Zoo has warned it may have to close permanently due to the lack of revenue from visitors, Sean McKeown, director of Fota said his organisation is currently able to fund the running of the park until March 2021.
“However if the current situation prevails with limitations on travelling into early March 2021, and without outside support, Fota Wildlife Park will also see itself faced with the possibility of closure by March 2021," he said.
He said pre-Covid, Fota received an average of 460,000 visitors a year and visitor income amounted to €5 million annually. The overall impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has meant a loss of 20% in visitor numbers and income for 2020.
A fundraising campaign has been launched by Dublin Zoo after Covid-19 restrictions dramatically impacted its income from gate receipts.
Currently closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, Dublin Zoo has over 400 animals that still need to be cared for on a daily basis.
The animals' care costs €500,000 a month and now the zoo is raising money from the public as emergency cash reserves are beginning to run out.
To date in 2020, it estimates it has lost out on over €8m in potential revenue from gate receipts and has said that without financial support soon it may have to close its gates to the public.
Dr Christoph Schwitzer, the zoo's director said the situation is serious as they have relied on their emergency cash to remain open when Covid-19 regulations allowed, but reduced visitor numbers due to social distancing means the zoo struggled to make enough money on gate receipts.
It has launched a "Save Dublin Zoo" campaign to raise funds to help care for the animals. People can donate to the 'Save Dublin Zoo' campaign online on their website at www.DublinZoo.ie.
A donation of €25 is enough to feed one of the zoo's red pandas for a day while €50 will feed a lion for one day, €75 can feed an elephant for a day and €100 will feed a southern white rhinoceros for a week.
Dublin Zoo has said this is the most challenging time in their 189-year history. The operations manager of Dublin Zoo Gerry Creighton said the situation is very serious and that the smallest donation will help.
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