DUBLIN: Incredible support from the Irish people for the Dublin Zoo, which has appealed to the public for assistance, as revenues have plunged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The people of Ireland donated over €1m in just one day to preserve the Dublin Zoo.
Since the beginning of this year, the zoo’s revenue has been poor due to the Pandemic. As a result, the zoo was forced to launch a fundraising campaign called ‘Save Dublin Zoo’. However, the Zoo said that the public responded immediately and and raised more than €1,000,000 in just one day.
Gerry Creighton, Dublin Zoo Operations Manager, released a video earlier thanking people of Ireland for their donations, but also urged them not to stop donating as they needed more. “We need so much more, we are so grateful. From all the team at Dublin Zoo, thank you,” he said.
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, stated earlier that his department is looking at options to provide short-term financial support to help tide the two main zoos past this immediate challenge.
The Dublin zoo has developed new ‘adoption packs’ and there are a range of animals to choose including: elephant, red panda, gorilla, giraffe, rhino, penguin, okapi, lion, zebra, orangutan, wolf and snow leopard.
Dublin Lord Mayor Hazel Chu and Fair City Star Rory Cowan have ‘adopted’ animals to support its huge fundraising campaign. Hazel Chu has adopted an elephant and also urged people to support the zoo if they can.
Ms. Chu pointed out that the zoo needs €500,000 each month at the moment. “When you talk about feeding animals, you are also talking about caring for them, and making sure their habitat and their environment is conserved – that all takes money. When you look at the area the zoo covers, the amount of species, that is why it costs so much,” she added.
Green Party TD Patrick Costello, sponsored an elephant for her previously in a conservation habitat.
Actor Rory Cowan has adopted an elephant, a gorilla, a giraffe and a penguin. He urged people to donate whatever they could or to adopt an animal as a Christmas gift.
Senator Lynn Ruane sponsored some animals and said she hoped to see huge support for the zoo.
The adoption packs cost €50 and will include a certificate of adoption, one free adult entry to Dublin Zoo, a car sticker, a photo of the chosen animal, a pen, a pin badge, a tote bag and a fact sheet on the chosen animal.
The Dublin Zoo has made it clear that every euro received will be spent on the care of animals. The Zoo said it would cost €25 to feed a red panda for a day while €50 would be required for a lion. It costs €75 for an elephant to feed every day and €100 for a southern white rhinoceros for a week.