Amazing news – Chester Zoo is opening its gates this month

Cheshire Life spoke to Jamie Christon, CEO of one of the world’s most important zoos, about how you can help secure its animals and global conservation projects, hit by coronavirus closure

Photo: John Snowdon (Image: Copyright John Snowdon, this work may not be reproduced without the permission of John Snowdon. Moral Rights Asserted.)

On Saturday, March 21 at 4.30pm, on government advice, Chester Zoo closed its gates to visitors. On June 3, Jamie Christon, chief operating officer, issued a global plea, and this stark warning about Cheshire’s best-loved tourist attraction: “We’ve now reached the point where we desperately need you help. Please save our zoo.” The response was swift and overwhelming – millions of pounds in donations through JustGiving and fundraising events. Less than a week later came the amazing news that following a major public outcry, the zoo will reopen on June 15.But Chester Zoo, global, national and Cheshire treasure urgently needs your help to make up for the months of closure and loss of revenue.Jamie Christon says: “The response to our appeal has been overwhelming on a local, national and international scale and we are absolutely blown away by it. It is a sign of the public sentiment towards the zoo and the place it has in people’s hearts.This is a very expensive place to run and we need people to visit and support us in other ways. “Ninety-seven per cent of our income comes through our gates.” Cheshire Life gained exclusive access to the zoo to photograph many of the animals in lockdown (below). Beneath our gallery are myriad ways you can support the attraction if you are unable to visit..

@chesterzoo (Image: Archant)

@chesterzoo (Image: Archant)

@chesterzoo (Image: Archant)

@chesterzoo (Image: Archant)

@chesterzoo (Image: Archant)

@chesterzoo (Image: Archant)

@chesterzoo (Image: Archant)

@chesterzoo (Image: Archant)

@chesterzoo (Image: Archant)

Photo: John Snowdon (Image: Copyright John Snowdon, this work may not be reproduced without the permission of John Snowdon. Moral Rights Asserted.)

Jamie Christon Chester Zoo CEO Photo: @chesterzoo (Image: Archant)

@chesterzoo (Image: Archant)

Six ways to help Chester Zoo

1 You can become a member here

Photo: John Snowdon (Image: Copyright John Snowdon, this work may not be reproduced without the permission of John Snowdon. Moral Rights Asserted.)

2 Make a donation to the zoo via Just Giving

3 Adopt an animal to ensure its welfare

4 Buy something from the online shop

5 Become a fundraiser. The zoo has some handy ideas here.

6 Buy open-dated tickets for your family and friends.

Chester Zoo – the facts

The most visited zoo in the UK, employing 1,000 people

35,000 animals

500 species

128 acres of zoological gardens

2million visitors annually

A conservation and education charity committed to preventing extinction and working with endangered wildlife around the world

£1.6million a month to run (£465,000 for animal and plant food and care including staffing; plus utilities, insurance, security, etc)