Vet nurse appeals for the public to help support ZSL Whipsnade Zoo during pandemic

A vet nurse from ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is appealing for the public to support ZSL's Whipsnade and London Zoos, who have been struggling financially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Closed for the third time in a year due to COVID-19 restrictions, but with more than 20,000 animals to care for, the charity is facing huge financial pressures and needs the public’s help to survive.

Karla Berry, from Dunstable, has worked as a Vet Nurse at the zoo for 14 years has spoken about how people can help and why their support is important for ZSL.

She said: "Growing up I always had lots of animals and I knew from the age of seven that I wanted to work with animals one way or another.

"I came here after living in Thailand and working with wonderful animals out there and that made me want to work with animals here.

"I have a great passion for this job and I really love it, there are so many great species of animals here,

"My favourite species is probably the reticulated giraffes which are endangered in the wild. I was lucky enough to meet the new baby giraffe born here, I am so grateful to be able to see animals like that. I think my favourite animal here is probably Colombo the sloth bear, these bears are vulnerable with a decreasing population

"There's many different parts to the job, from normal day to day vet duties and worming prep and taking blood samples for the labs.

"Some of this has changed since the pandemic, with regards to the blood samples being taken, that process is now slower, but on a day to day basis not much has changed for me, as a lot of the work the veterinary team does is behind the scenes.

"We are still working and caring for the animals, as are most of the teams here.

"That is why we need the continued support from the public.

"We are really grateful for all the support we have received throughout the pandemic, from individual fundraising to donations on the website."

Karla, who is part of the essential team working at Whipsnade Zoo during lockdown, has praised the support the zoo has already received throughout lockdown, and the way everyone who works at Whipsnade Zoo, visitors to the zoo and the wider community have come together.

The 47-year-old said: "It is difficult for the zoo at the moment, it costs £1million every month to keep ZSL zoos going, that's just looking after and feeding the animals - there are over 20,000 animals at both zoos.

"It is really strange looking outside and seeing no one here in the park.

"There are many ways that people can help the zoo, from fundraisers, donations and buying from the shops, to sponsoring or adopting an animal.

"It is a very challenging time here at ZSL, we have an amazing team here, there is lots going on and we have most teams still working.

"People are working really hard to keep the zoos going, everyone has been working together through this pandemic, and it's heartwarming to see that.

"Any support that people can give will help ZSL continue to do the important work they do looking after the animals, and the conservation work."

To make a donation to ZSL click here.