Toronto Zoo appeals for donations amid ongoing closure

Apr 17 2020, 1:13 pm

The Toronto Zoo is appealing for donations in the midst of its ongoing closure, as the attraction has lost the funding it usually gains from parking and admission revenues.

The zoo closed on March 14 in order to ensure animals continue to receive the highest quality of care while staff remain protected.

Food for the zoo’s 5,000 animals costs $1 million per year, however, and is normally funded by the parking and admission fees that visitors pay upon arrival.

The Zoo Food for Life campaign has been launched by the zoo’s Wildlife Conservancy as an attempt to offset these lost revenues. Over the coming weeks, the conservancy will be reaching out to the public to highlight the funding needs of the zoo’s nutrition program.

“The Wildlife Conservancy echoes the Toronto Zoo’s commitment to caring for the animals, no matter what the situation,” said Beth Gilhespy, Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy’s executive director, in a release.

“We are focusing our fundraising efforts, with the help of our donors and the broader community, on the Zoo Food for Life campaign to support the animal nutrition program during this difficult time.”

With the global rate of animal and plant extinction now estimated at nearly 1,000 times the natural rate, wildlife conservation organizations are taking critical action to work together on educating the public, while taking actions to stabilize — then reverse — this trend.

You can learn more about how you can help the Toronto Zoo by clicking here.

 

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“Extinction is forever,” said Paul Doyle, board chair of the conservancy.

“And the Toronto Zoo’s work in fighting extinction – through research, public engagement and education, breeding and reintroduction programs – is vital to the survival of wildlife here and around the world.”

Kayla GladyszKayla Gladysz

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