We have given a grant of £100,000 to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) towards their Covid-19 Response Appeal. The grant will cover the cost of feed and bedding for London Zoo’s animals for two months, as well as an unrestricted contribution to overall running costs of the park.
The closure of the zoo as a result of Coronavirus has meant a significant drop in income for ZSL. Visitor ticket sales at London and Whipsnade zoos are the primary source of funding to cover not only the zoos’ running costs but also the sector-leading conservation work that the Society implements internationally. As well as working to safeguard the planet’s most endangered creatures, ZSL studies zoonotic diseases like coronaviruses, and is uniquely placed to help prevent future pandemics like Covid-19.
Our grant will help to ensure the zoo can provide everything the animals need during the crisis; and in the longer term that ZSL continues to be a high-quality research institution, and an inspirational learning environment for the people of London.