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

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – It’s time to feed at the only zoo in Greece, and a capuchin monkey grabs as many tangerines as possible – even putting one in its long, slender tail. It might be wise to supply you.

After being closed for almost three months due to COVID-19, the Athens zoo could be on the verge of extinction: without paying visitors or – unlike other European zoos – enough government aid to cover the needs its special, Attica Zoo faces huge bills to keep 2,000 animals well fed and healthy.

“As things stand … we can continue for at least a month,” said zoo founder and CEO Jean Jacques Lesueur. “After that, we don’t know.”

Unlike some companies forced to close temporarily due to virus control restrictions, the zoo continues to incur considerable operating costs. Between food, wages, utilities, medical care and other expenses, the cost of animal care currently exceeds 200,000 euros ($ 243,000) per month.

“This is the difference between us and other companies: when they close, they close. We are closing, but we are not closing, “Lesueur told The Associated Press.

Founded in 2000 and located in the city of Spata, the zoo occupies 20 hectares (50 acres) and hosts 290 species, from elephants to prairie dogs. It is involved in education, conservation and breeding and belongs to the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which has about 400 members.

It had to close again on November 7 after the blockade of Greece’s two-month spring came at an inopportune time for the Attica Zoo. The zoo operates normally throughout the year, but carries out much of its activities in colder weather “because in Greece people go to the beaches, to the islands, do not visit the zoos” in summer, said the Frenchman Lesueur.

Visitors account for more than 99% of its revenue from ticket, food and beverage sales and the gift shop. So, each month’s revenue counts, and the loss of December, usually due to the Christmas holidays, has been particularly heavy.

So far, suppliers have shown understanding and accept credit. Two-thirds of the zoo’s staff are on state support, and an expected state aid tranche will handle this month’s payment for the rest, the CEO said.

The zoo has also sold 5,000 advance tickets at discounted prices by the time the lockout ends, and Lesueur says that helped pay salaries in December.

The blockade also affects the inhabitants of the zoo, accustomed to the crowd. For almost three months, they have only seen their owners. So the tables came back when an AP journalist visited last week: several curious animals and birds came together to look good.

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

Greece has so far recorded about 150,000 confirmed COVID-19 infections and about 5,800 pandemic deaths. After reaching a high of 3,300 in November, the number of new daily cases remains at triple figures.

However, the Greater Athens region remains the worst-hit area in the country, and authorities said on Friday they would impose stricter blockade restrictions there. after a January drop in infection rates was reversed this week.

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

“Unless COVID (the situation) gets worse. That’s another story, “he said. “Now, if we’re closed for another two or three months, I really don’t know what will happen.”

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