€1.6million to be funded to the Zoo Sector

The zoo sector has been funded with €1.6million by the Government. Both Dublin Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park have been granted €1.1 million to share between them to get through the financial difficulties.

71 zoos and aquaria will be benefited by the funding. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien sabyhe has joined with the people of Ireland in adopting an animal from Dublin zoo.

He expressed the delight of his department to extend some help in the matter.

Minister of State Malcolm Noonan also said that the State would typically not provide funding for zoos but 2020 has proved an ‘incredibly challenging year’.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin assured earlier on in the week that the Government would grant the zoo the help it needs to remain open ‘for generations to come’.

The state-aid announcement comes following a public appeal by Dublin Zoo who announced last week that they were in danger of permanently shutting their doors due to the loss in business from COVID-19 restrictions.

The zoo appealed to the public for funds helping to cover the cost of animal care in the zoo, which reaches up to €500,000 per month.

Over €2million has been raised by the public since the appeal started, enough to feed and care for its 400 animals for four months.

In a message posted on social media, the zoo thanked everyone for donating and raising funds and supporting them in their time of need. But they also added that they haven’t overcome the difficulties and requested to keep spreading the word ‘#SaveDublinZoo.’