By Carole Dennett
As companies large and small face massive pressures from the Coronavirus epidemic, one Island business is also struggling with a completely different set of challenges as their income from visitors has completely dried up. Amazon World Zoo Park is trying desperately to work out a way forward for the more than 1,000 animals that call the popular visitor attraction in Newchurch their home.
Animals such as sloths, anteaters and armadillos rely on expensive, specialist diets and the tropical houses require constant heating to ensure that the delicate species they house don’t die of cold. The park was set up as a not-for-profit company following a visit to the Amazon Basin around thirty years ago, when director Derek Curtis saw for himself the devastating impact that the destruction of habitat and other human activities were having on the animal kingdom.
Amazon World specialises in education and conservation, taking part in a number of international breeding programmes to help safeguard the future of some of the rarest animals in the world. They also have a rainforest conservation project which protects wildlife and rainforest in South America.
As an interim measure a crowd funding appeal has been set up and Amazon World are asking supporters to give whatever they can to help save the lives of their precious animals. Rob Westby Zoo Manager said: “We know this is a dreadfully worrying time for Islanders, but some of our amazing animals simply will not survive unless we are able to raise funds to pay for their upkeep. Anything you can spare will be gratefully received and when we are able to open our doors again we look forward to sharing our wonderful animals with you. You can make a donation or purchase animal experiences and adoptions in advance that we will be able honour in the future if you can help save the lives of our animals now.”
The crowdfunder website is not charging any fees so any money you give will go directly to benefit the animals. You can donate here.
Isle of Wight Observer