DUDLEY Zoo has said it is facing a "bleak winter" after announcing it will close to visitors from Thursday when the month-long Coronavirus lockdown kicks in.

Dudley Zoo and Castle, on Castle Hill in Dudley, will close on Thursday (November 5).

Keepers at the zoo will continue to look after the 1,600 animals, with no income from ticket sales and rising animal care costs.

And announcing that the attraction had been "unable to access the government’s £100m Zoo Animals Fund" the zoo said its "facing a bleak winter."

It is appealing for the public's help to support it through the "troubling times" by donating funds or by purchasing adoption packages.

Dudley News:

The zoo issued a statement today (Monday November 2) which read: "Following government guidance Dudley Zoo and Castle will sadly close to visitors from Thursday (November 5).

"We understand this lockdown is necessary to protect the community around us, but as per the previous closure, we’ll be receiving no generated income, even though our animal care costs will continue to mount as zoo keepers ensure our exotic animal collection receive the very best possible day-to-day care.

"And as we’ve also been unable to access the government’s £100m Zoo Animals Fund, we’re facing a bleak winter.

"As a not-for-profit charity, which relies on ticket sales, we’re hoping the public will continue to support us through these further troubling times and we have a number of ways people can donate to our ongoing conservation work.

"Supporters can donate online via our Justgiving page https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/DZCanimalcarefund via text, or by purchasing a 12 month animal adoption package, with all details on our website.

"We hope we’ll be able to welcome visitors back to DZC as soon as possible, but in the meantime, as before, we’ll continue to provide regular updates, photos and videos of our animals and zoo life on our social media pages and website.

"Thank you for your continued patience, support and understanding."

Under the lockdown announced to stop the spead of coronavirus the government has ordered entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, adult gaming centres and arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, concert halls, zoos and other animal attractions and botanical gardens to close from Thursday (November 5) for four weeks. 

All non-essential retail, including, but not limited to clothing and electronics stores, vehicle showrooms, travel agents, betting shops, auction houses, tailors, car washes, tobacco and vape shops must also close.

Indoor and outdoor leisure facilities such as bowling alleys, leisure centres and gyms, sports facilities including swimming pools, golf courses and driving ranges, dance studios, stables and riding centres, soft play facilities, climbing walls and climbing centres, archery and shooting ranges, water and theme parks must also shut their doors.