Cash-strapped zoo may lose monkeys

Mon k e y s a t Edinburgh Zoo could be under threat – after bosses revealed the charity has lost £2.5 million this year due to the pandemic.

Chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, David Field, said it faces having to get rid of some of the animals at the zoo next year if finances do not improve.

In Ju n e the c h a r i ty warned it faced financial d isaster if outdoor a tt r a c t i o n s could not reopen and confirmed it had taken out a £ 5m business loan.

Following an appeal for public donations, the wildlife conservation cha r i ty inc rea sed membership to 30,000.

But Mr Field said “tough” decisions will have to be made if they are to survive next year – and confirmed they are looking at getting rid of birds and primate species.

A scheme to introduce

Scottish wildcats at the Highland wildlife park could also be suspended as a fur ther £ 500,000 is needed to complete it.

Mr Field said: “We have tightened our belts and made savings in ever y possible way, wi t h o u t having an impact on visitor experience or animal welfare.

“With increased visitors and membership things are looking better.

“But the frightening thing is what we are still facing next year.

“We have a large level of debt to service, with repayments starting from June. The £5m business load helped but we are not out of the woods.

“We are going to need help to get through this next year, it’s going to be tough.

“We w i l rationalise.

“We’re looking at birds and primates, it could be that one or two need to go.

“The old monkey house has been closed throughout the Covid-19 period and needs a lot of repair.

“One or two primate species might have to go temporarily but we would look to bring them back.”

He also said the wildcat reintroduction programme could be stopped.

Mr Field added: “We always said come hell or high water we’d get that started and we did.

“But there are gaps in funding and that could mean it will have to be deferred or worst- case scenario, it would be stopped.” l need to

Mr Field said he hopes to be able to bring in giraffes and sloths to the capital’s zoo next year but unless finances improve that is in doubt.

And plans for new school programmes also look set to be put on hold.

Mr Field said: “School trips are not allowed in so we have been doing Skype classroom sessions.

“We had plans to do new school digital programmes but that would need investment so will have to wait.”

The zoo yesterday launched its Christmas lights event in a bid to raise much-needed funds.

The event which runs until Sunday January 3, will see visitors taken on a journey around the attraction at night with projections and twinkling fairy lights.

It has been designed for limited visitor numbers with safety measures in place to comply with Covid regulations.

One or two primate species might have to go

CUTE: A L’Hoest’s monkey was born at Edinburgh Zoo during lockdown in May to mother Sheli and father Jamal.