Close for good, raise funds from the public or feed animals to other animals: Europe's zoos, caught between reduced visitor numbers and orders to temporarily close, have been forced to consider dire scenarios during ongoing pandemic losses.
Dublin Zoo joined a chorus of zoos across Europe in November appealing to the public for funds amid a financial crisis due to restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Like many in Europe, the zoo reopened in mid-2020, only to close again in autumn under strict near-lockdown conditions.
While some zoos like Antwerp Zoo, Prague Zoo and Bioparco de Roma have again closed entirely, others like the Zoo Aquarium Madrid and Tierpark Berlin have only closed off certain areas. Zoos in the UK, ordered to close in November as part of government restrictions, are also appealing for donations to survive the pandemic.
Chester Zoo says up to 97 percent of its income is being cut during the lockdown, and it needs 1.6 million pounds (US$2.1 million) a month to save its 35,000 threatened and critically endangered species.
Earlier this year, one German zoo made international headlines after drawing up contingency plans to slaughter animals and feed them to others during the country's strict lockdown in spring.
The Neumuenster Zoo in northern Germany closed again during renewed restrictions in November, now says its animals won't be running out of food, but is calling for donations.
In contrast, zoos in Poland have emerged relatively unscathed, having largely remained open since a two-month closure in the spring.
The largest zoos are often co-financed by municipal or regional authorities, which has helped them escape financial losses. However, public donations may yet be a necessity, as the coronavirus-induced recession has eaten into local government finances.
