No income, 2,000 mouths to feed: Lockdown squeezes Greek zoo

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – It’s feeding time at Greece’s only zoo, and a capuchin will grab as many tangerines as it can – even tucking one into its long, supple tail. It may be wise to stock up.

After being closed for almost three months due to COVID-19, the zoo on the outskirts of Athens could be in danger of extinction: without paying visitors or – unlike other European zoos – with enough government support to meet its very specific needs , Attica Zoological Park stands for huge bills to keep 2000 animals well fed and healthy.

“As things are … we can go on for at least another month,” said zoo founder and CEO Jean Jacques Lesueur. “After that we don’t know anymore.”

Unlike some businesses that have to shut down temporarily due to virus control restrictions, the zoo continues to have significant operating costs. Between food, salaries, utilities, medical care and other expenses, the cost of caring for the animals is currently more than 200,000 Euros ($ 243,000) per month.

“That’s the difference between us and other companies: when they close, they close. We’re closing, but we’re not closing, ”Lesueur told The Associated Press.

Founded in 2000 and located in the town of Spata, the zoo covers 20 acres and is home to 290 species, from elephants to prairie dogs. It is involved in education, conservation and breeding, and is part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, which has approximately 400 members.

Having to close again on November 7 after Greece closed spring for two months, it came at a bad time for Attica Zoological Park. The zoo is normally open all year round, but does much of its job during cooler weather “because in Greece people go to the beaches, to the islands, they don’t visit zoos” in the summer, “said French-born Lesueur.

Visitors account for more than 99% of revenue from tickets, food and drink, and gift shop sales. So each month’s sales count, and December’s loss, mostly busy due to the Christmas holidays, was particularly heavy.

So far, suppliers have shown understanding and are accepting credit. Two-thirds of the zoo’s staff are on state-sponsored leave, and an expected tranche of state aid will provide the remainder for this month’s pay, the CEO said.

The zoo has also sold 5,000 prepaid tickets at discounted prices for when the lockdown ends, and Lesueur says this helped pay off December’s salaries.

Lockdown also affects the zoo’s residents, who are used to crowds. For almost three months they have only seen their caretakers. So the tables were turned when an AP journalist came to visit last week: several curious animals and birds came up close for a closer look.

“Animals miss visitors because it is part of their life,” said Lesueur. “All the animals you see (here) were born in other zoos. So they are used to people. “

Greece has recorded about 150,000 confirmed COVID-19 infections and about 5,800 deaths in the pandemic so far. After a peak of more than 3,300 in November, the number of new daily cases remains in the three digits.

Nonetheless, the greater Athens region remains the worst affected area in the country, and authorities said Friday they will impose tougher lockdown restrictions there. after a drop in infection rates in January this week was reversed.

Overall, Lesueur says he is optimistic that the zoo will be allowed to reopen in the coming weeks.

“Unless the COVID (situation) gets worse. That’s a different story, ”he said. “If we’re closed for two or three months now, I really don’t know what’s going to happen.”

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