“A brilliant facility that is loved by young and old – we can all look forward to being back there when this is over.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has promised that Dublin Zoo “will get the help it needs” to prevent it from closing for good after fears were raised about its ability to remain operational due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday, the ‘Save Dublin Zoo’ campaign was launched, encouraging donations from the public to raise funds to cover the cost of animal care, which totals approximately €500,000 per month at Dublin Zoo.
Director of Dublin Zoo Dr Christoph Schwitzer said the zoo had been relying on emergency cash reserves to remain open when allowed under government restrictions in recent months, but that even when open, visitor numbers restrictions have made it “near impossible” to generate revenue.
Schwitzer added that “without financial support, we are facing an uncertain future and may have to close”.
The Save Dublin Zoo campaign has already generated a huge reaction amongst the Irish public and Taoiseach Micheál Martin has indicated the government’s willingness to provide financial support.
Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, Martin said the government would do everything it can to ensure the zoo does not close.
Martin referenced the fact that it has been a while since the zoo benefitted from capital funding and spoke of his intention “to act” to ensure the zoo would remain open for “generations to come”.
In a tweet posted on Wednesday afternoon, Martin said: “Dublin Zoo will get the help it needs.
“A brilliant facility that is loved by young and old – we can all look forward to being back there when this is over.”
Dublin Zoo will get the help it needs. A brilliant facility that is loved by young and old – we can all look forward to being back there when this is over. 🦁🐯🐻
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 18, 2020
The public has been asked to contribute to the Save Dublin Zoo campaign in one or more of the following ways:
- Make a donation to the zoo here
- Arrange your own fundraising event for Dublin Zoo
- Adopt an animal; more information is available here
- Or simply spread the word, by posting your favourite memory of Dublin Zoo on social media with the hashtag #SaveDublinZoo
For more information, check out the Dublin Zoo website.
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