Bosses issued a plea to its fans in a campaign to save the zoo - and has since raised over £2m.
And now supermarket giant Iceland has got involved in efforts to save the zoo, and has adopted Chester Zoo's entire rookery of Humboldt penguins.
The frozen food retailer has also agreed to lobby the UK government on the zoo’s behalf, encouraging current legislation to be amended to allow zoos to open with strict social distancing guidance in place, reports Cheshire Live.
Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland Foods, said: “We were all saddened to hear of Chester Zoo’s recent struggles; it’s the heart of the local community in Chester and a much loved family favourite – I remember visiting the zoo as a child and my own kids love going there.
"We’re proud to be able to lend them our support both through the adoption of the Humboldt penguins on behalf of our colleagues, and by lobbying in support of zoos being allowed to reopen soon. The conservation work undertaken by the zoo is vital and along with the park itself reopening it is incredibly important that this amazing work is able to continue."
Shoppers have already praised the gesture, with many thanking Iceland for its generosity.
Much like many of Chester Zoo’s 500+ species, the Humboldt penguin is an endangered species and Iceland hope that their donation will help the zoo can keep running and working hard to give these animals the best lives possible.
Chester Zoo's Justgiving page has already reached £2,225,785 in public donations but needs £1.5m just to survive one month.
