Edinburgh Zoo could be forced to sell a selection of its animals after concerns it will not receive enough government funding.
After serious financial losses over the past year, the attraction has warned it could have to make huge cuts in order to survive.
Since the pandemic has began, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has reported losses of £2.5 million, however after taking out a £5 million loan they have now stated this will not be enough.
The organisation has also stated that the "redundancy process has begun" as they try to make cutbacks.
While trying to gain extra funding for conservation work, Edinburgh Zoo has been highlighted by local MP Christine Jardine, according to the Edinburgh Reporter.
In attempts to protect the zoo, she said: “I am at a loss to understand why our governments are not doing more to protect jobs at the RZSS and the vital work it does to conserve species like the Scottish Wild Cat.
“We are all feeling the impact of Covid-19 but we need both our governments to be thinking about what we are doing to preserve the future of the planet in this as well as our immediate health and employment.
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“The eligibility criteria for both government’s zoo grants effectively prevents are viable support being offered to the RZSS as you need to show your organisation has less than 12 weeks of operating costs left. There needs to be focused supports available far earlier to provide long term protection for Scotland’s conservation projects.
“The educational, physical and mental health benefits of being outside, and taking in nature, are central to our personal health, so we have to be make sure that future generations have the same opportunities to enjoy the natural world.
“I am in regular contact with the RZSS who’ve confirmed that the redundancy process has begun so I would urge both governments to think carefully and extend emergency funding to tide the charity through the coming months.”
