London Zoo workers now living on site to care for animals after coronavirus caused closure

25 March 2020, 15:06

By Alice Dear

London Zoo may be shut, but the dedicated keepers are still making sure the animals needs are being looked after.

The continued spread of COVID-19 across the UK has caused some of the biggest attractions to close, including ZSL London Zoo.

While people are no longer visiting the site, the grounds are still home to 18,000 animals that all need caring for.

That's why behind the scenes of the zoo, many dedicated zoo keepers are still heading into work to take care of the animals – while, of course, practicing social distancing.

In fact, some of the zoo keepers have ever moved into the zoo full time to make sure they're there for the animals.

These people are living in the Zoo's Lion Lodge guest accommodation, ZSL London Zoo revealed.

In behind the scenes pictures taken this week, zoo workers can be see cleaning Penguin Beach, preparing food for the giraffes and caring for the meerkats.

ZSL London Zoo’s Chief Operating Officer Kathryn England said: “Last week, along with the rest of the country, we watched as this unprecedented situation unfolded around us and began making detailed plans in anticipation of having to do the previously unthinkable - close ZSL London Zoo to the public.

“A core team of zookeepers, vets, security and grounds staff have stayed on site and are making each day as normal as possible for our much-loved residents, many of which are endangered species and part of important global breeding programmes.”

ZSL London Zoo rely on visitors to fund the park, and so are now appealing for any donations from animal lovers during this time in order for them to be able to keep up and manage the animals in the park during the closure.

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