THE owner of Tropiquaria Zoo at Washford Cross said this week he and his partner have been “brought to tears” by people’s generosity in helping them to carry on since the zoo closed because of the coronavirus crisis.

Now Chris Moiser, director with his partner Jane, has started a blog on Facebook to keep people who care about the animals up to date with what is happening, as well as provide information on how they can help with food donations to ensure nothing gets wasted.

The blog is called A Zoo Under Siege and is on the Tropiquaria Facebook page.

“A lot of people are interested in the zoo and we have had so much food this week it is really touching. Some people have been buying the maximum fruit and vegetables they can and dropping some off,” said Chris.

However, he thought things would now quieten down a lot, as some of the food donations had come from cafés and organisations that were closing: “They have been so good,” said Chris.

He said the zoo had been hit by a “triple whammy” with wages, heating and all costs just the same but no money coming in and no insurance help as a pandemic did not fall in the category of an unexpected business closure.

“The animals still need food and we are worried about paying the staff,” Chris said.

Anyone wanting to help with food donations is asked to check on the Tropiquaria website and on Facebook to see what the zoo needs at the time.

Financial donations can be made online by visiting Go Fund Me and searching for Tropiquaria.