It is with a very heavy heart that we did not open Dartmoor Zoo this morning and we will be closed from today until further notice. At the moment this is the only available course of action to ensure the safety of visitors, members of staff and ultimately the animals, who are dependent on a functioning zoo surviving this period of uncertainty. The Trustees and Senior Management Team of the charity have tirelessly explored all the options currently available to us, and closing the gates to the public at the moment is the right course of action.
For now, we must emphasise that this is a temporary closure for public and staff safety, so that we can continue to provide a future for the animals here.
With the measures currently in place we are 100% confident that we will be able to re-open when circumstances allow, and we are actively exploring all the options in a rapidly changing situation. However, we are completely reliant on our ticket income and as a result of the winter, our reserves are almost exhausted and we will soon run out of money. We hope to be in a position to borrow from the Government Scheme, however, this is unlikely to be enough and we need to ask you as our supporters to give as generously as you can in these difficult times so that we can keep Dartmoor Zoo functioning until things return to normal.
The entire world is stunned by this situation, but this country is pulling together and the authorities are supporting many businesses and charities, including this one, so that they can get through the coming weeks and start to return to normal as soon as possible. We are taking great comfort from this.
Dartmoor Zoo has always been a public resource, but one which is dependent on its public to support it.
Please do what you can to support us by buying memberships, using our online shop, making donations and even buying advanced tickets for when we re-open.
We are all devastated that we have to close, but with your understanding and support, we will be back as soon as we can.
I’ve never done anything like this, but I hope it takes a little pressure off for a day at least! I recently Bought my first home, quit my job (lets say covid was among the reasons but no unemployment like my fellow Americans are getting) Then had a freak accident so no income and no health assistance and released from hospital with nerve damage, and cervical spinal cord damage (I’ve lived a fragile life 3yrs b/c existing herniated disc in cervical spine that is couldn’t get treatment for) I say All this to tell you I’ve been blessed through this! A gofundme was set up for me from an unexpected new friend, a million lost friendships reunited at the news I was injured, and Medicaid set up, my relationship is even better! I’m getting proper help for my neck this time, which sometimes brings me to tears.
I just watched the movie tonight for the first time, yes I know I’m behind the times, and yes I had heard how good it was, yet if I had watched it before it wouldn’t be during covid, so while checking out the real zoo behind the story, I wouldn’t have seen your dire need for assistance, if I had gone through this roller coaster going from thinking I was paralyzed, to walking around my yard and doing most of my self-care, I wouldn’t have felt so moved to donate such a chunk for me, when I’m the most frugal person I know! I’m not sure the time difference (I live in Arkansas) but I hope you find this and know you and your animals are loved and prayed for worldwide! 🙂 Pip Worrell