CONSERVATIONS NIGERIA

Category: Headline

  • Reflecting on 2024: ConservationsNG’s Journey Through the Year

    Reflecting on 2024: ConservationsNG’s Journey Through the Year

    As 2024 comes to a close, we at ConservationsNG want to take a moment to reflect on an incredible year of raising awareness, sharing knowledge, and advocating for conservation, wildlife, and a healthier planet. From wildlife stories to climate action, it’s been a lot of learning, exploring, and encouraging change. Let’s check out the highlights of what we’ve covered this year and why you should stick with us for even more in 2025.

    Celebrating Parks, Wildlife, and Ecotourism

    This year, parks and ecotourism took centre stage on ConservationsNG. We looked into how parks serve as safe havens for wildlife while offering unforgettable experiences for visitors. Articles like Kainji Lake National Park became readers’ favourites, showing just how much these natural treasures mean to our readers. We also went global with Top National Parks in the World, spotlighting stunning locations that remind us why we need to protect our planet.

    Wildlife Conservation and Fascinating Insights

    Wildlife was another big focus. We wrote about the Nigerian government stepping up its efforts to protect wildlife, which was an inspiring development. On a more sobering note, we covered challenges like the mass beaching of 130 whales in Western Australia and the tragic story of a hippopotamus fatally attacking a guard in Kebbi. These events reminded us of the delicate balance between humans and wildlife, leading to articles like Understanding Wildlife Behavior and Human-Wildlife Conflict.

    We also tackled interesting myths and misconceptions. One standout piece was Are Snakes Poisonous or Venomous?, where we explained the difference between the two: “If it bites you and you die, it’s venomous. If you bite it and you die, it’s poisonous.” It was a fun yet informative way to help readers understand these often misunderstood creatures.

    Diving Into Plant Life and Permaculture

    Plants got their fair share of the spotlight too! We answered the thought-provoking question Do Plants Feel Pain? by explaining that plants don’t have pain receptors, even though that doesn’t give us an excuse to harm them recklessly. We also focused on permaculture, highlighting its role in sustainable farming and environmental restoration.

    Standing Against Plastic Pollution

    On Earth Day, we joined the global fight against plastic pollution with Planet vs. Plastics: Earth Day 2024’s Urgent Call to Action. This article showed the immense threat plastics pose to our planet and how small changes in our daily habits can make a big difference.

    A Love Letter to Forests

    One of our favourite features this year was 10 of the Largest Forests in the World. We discovered the vast beauty of forests like the Amazon and Taiga, sharing their vital role in balancing our ecosystems. Forests aren’t just beautiful—they’re essential for life on Earth.

    Climate Action and Global Conversations

    Towards the end of the year, COP29 took the stage, and we jumped in with our coverage, COP29: A Crucial Step Toward Climate Action and Financial Reform. This global gathering set the tone for urgent climate action and inspired us to write even more about how we can all contribute. Articles like Simple Habits for a Greener 2025 gained quick attention, showing that our readers are eager to make positive changes.

    Observing Conservation Holidays

    From International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer to Earth Day, we observed key moments that remind us why conservation is so important. These events helped us reflect on how far we’ve come and how much more we need to do.

    Looking Ahead to 2025

    As we look forward to 2025, we’re excited to keep exploring the fascinating world of conservation. Whether it’s uncovering hidden wildlife stories, diving deeper into climate solutions, or spotlighting breathtaking parks and forests, we’ll be here to inspire, educate, and advocate for a healthier planet.

    We couldn’t do this without you, our amazing readers. Your comments, shares, and support keep us motivated to continue this vital work. So here’s a big thank you from all of us at ConservationsNG.

    Let’s make 2025 even better! Stay tuned for more articles, tips, and stories that celebrate our planet and the incredible life it supports. Together, we can create a brighter, greener future.

    Until next year, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep caring for our world. See you in 2025! 🌍

  • World Population Day

    World Population Day

    The official day for global population issues is World Population Day, celebrated on July 11 each year. This year’s theme is “To Leave No One Behind, Count Everyone.” This theme emphasises the importance of considering population data in policy-making, especially data on vulnerable groups. Population statistics provide solutions to problems related to healthcare provision, economic growth and development, and the management of the world’s resources.

    It is commemorated globally to raise awareness about population-related matters such as family planning, gender equality, and reproductive rights. These issues impact international processes and initiatives in the context of sustainable development and ecosystem preservation. With the global population surpassing 8 billion, there is constant pressure on natural resources such as water, food, and energy. Problems like climate change, habitat destruction, and loss of species’ habitats worsen due to overpopulation, highlighting the need for greater conservation efforts.

    History of World Population Day

    The United Nations officially introduced World Population Day in 1989, following the milestone of the world population reaching five billion on July 11, 1987. Dr. K.C. Zachariah proposed this observance to raise awareness about global population growth and control. The day encourages people to seek solutions to related issues such as maternal health, poverty, and various economic challenges.

    Significance

    The chosen theme, “To Leave No One Behind, Count Everyone,” aims to raise awareness of data deficiencies to develop efficient conservation practices. By understanding population parameters, policymakers can devise accurate strategies that encourage sustainable resource utilisation, wildlife and natural habitat conservation, and control of global warming effects. For example, quantitative-based strategies may identify regions where population density threatens species preservation, allowing for the design of appropriate strategies based on this data.

    Facts About Global Population

    World Population Day aims to raise awareness about the problems of overpopulation. It promotes a focus on finding lasting solutions to issues affecting health, the environment, and resources. Understanding that population characteristics are as important as environmental factors is key to a better tomorrow.

    • The world’s population has grown more than three times since the mid-20th century.
    • It took around 2.5 years to add one billion people to the population, reaching 8 billion in mid-November 2022.
    • The population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 and is expected to peak at 10.4 billion by the mid-2080s.
    • China and India, with populations of 1.4 billion and 1.3 billion respectively, contribute to almost 18% of the global population.
    • Over 60% of the current world population was born in the latter half of the 20th century or later.
    • The global population was estimated to be around 2.5 billion in 1950, growing to 5 billion by 1987 and reaching 8 billion in 2022.
    • The human population has grown so large that the Earth struggles to support it. Presently, the total number of inhabitants on planet Earth has crossed 8 billion.
    • It was not until the early 1800s that the UN’s statistics indicate the world population reached one billion. Now, we add a billion people every 12-15 years.

    World Population Day 2024: Together for a Sustainable Future highlights the urgent need for collective action to raise awareness about the impact of increasing population density on Earth. By gathering and analyzing data with all communities in mind, we can predict and manage outcomes that affect human development and environmental preservation. United, we can build a future where every person matters and everyone can contribute to a more sustainable world.

  • Do Plants Feel Pain?

    Do Plants Feel Pain?

    The question of whether plants are capable of feeling pain has long been a topic of interest. To keep it short,  plants do not possess the ability to experience pain like animals do, and this is due to their lack of pain receptors, nerves, and a brain, which results in their functioning being fundamentally different from that of animals. Therefore, the act of harvesting plants such as tomatoes or cutting the leaves from the trees of mangoes, cashews, and all the rest cannot be considered a form of torture. So, how exactly do plants react to their surroundings? Let’s delve into that!

    You may or may not be familiar with the sensitive plant that immediately collapses its leaves after being touched or the Venus flytrap with its fast traps. These are some plants that display clear sensory abilities. These abilities can be seen as a way of communicating with the environment and are not a sign of pain but rather serve as a defence mechanism against potential threats, such as herbivores.

    Cellular Sensitivity

    The responsiveness of plant cells to various external stimuli such as light, temperature, and hormones is known as cellular sensitivity. It plays an important role in the regulation of plant growth, development, and adaptation to environmental changes.

    Recent studies have made clear the level of plant sensitivity that allows for responses to specific signals and cues from the surroundings. For example, a mustard plant commonly used in scientific studies has been found to send out electrical signals in response to herbivory. When under attack by caterpillars or aphids, the plant initiates a kind of complex defence mechanism by emitting electrical warnings from leaf to leaf. This mechanism triggers the production of chemical defences, protecting the plant from further damage. While this response reflects a reaction to physical harm, it is important not to equate it to the experience of pain as animals perceive it.

    Plants can respond to different environmental triggers, demonstrating their capacity to perceive and adjust. Whether it is in reaction to sunlight, gravity, wind, or even small insect bites, plants showcase various interactions with their surroundings. It is important to note that these responses are not motivated by a desire to avoid pain but rather are essential for the survival and spreading or dispersion of the plant species.

    Plants, in contrast to animals, do not rely on their ability to feel pain to survive. Their success and failure are determined by their ability to adapt, reproduce, and thrive in various environments. The fact that plants do not experience suffering does not lessen their importance in the ecological system; instead, it showcases the vast array of life on our planet.

    The reason why plants do not experience pain like animals is because they lack pain receptors, nerves, and a brain. Although their reactions to physical stimuli may appear complex, they are driven by survival mechanisms rather than a personal experience of pain. The complex processes of adaptation and sensitivity that plants exhibit highlight the incredible complexity of the natural world and emphasize the importance of acknowledging and comprehending the various ways in which living organisms interact with their surroundings.

  • ConservationsNG: A Journey into Earth’s Stewardship

    ConservationsNG: A Journey into Earth’s Stewardship

    You may have noticed, or perhaps it’s already apparent to you, that this website is entirely devoted to the cause of conservation. It’s evident in our articles, and it’s even embedded in our website’s name – ConservationsNG. But let’s take a moment before the year bids us farewell to truly understand what conservation means and unravel the entire concept behind this remarkable site.

    Our home, Earth, is endowed with an abundance of natural resources, including air, minerals, plants, soil, water, and wildlife. Conservation appears as the guardian angel, devoted to the care and protection of these resources, assuring their survival for future generations. This goes beyond basic protection; it entails the delicate effort of conserving the diversity of species, genes, ecosystems, and important environmental services such as nutrient cycling.

    Although the terms conservation and preservation are frequently used interchangeably, they serve distinct functions. Conservationists argue for human use of nature that is sustainable, whether for hunting, logging, or mining. In contrast, preservation functions as a fortress, shielding nature from direct human influence.

    At its core, conservation is a thoughtful interaction between people and nature—an intricate connection designed to appreciate Earth’s beauty for the long term without causing irreversible harm. This unwavering dedication underscores our role as vigilant stewards, entrusted with responsibly managing and utilizing the planet’s resources to protect the purity of our exceptional home.

    Now, let’s dive into the details of conservation, exploring its ins and outs, and grasping why it’s so important. This initial exploration sets the stage for what’s to come. Welcome to ConservationsNG, where the heartbeat of conservation resonates in every article and the call to protect our planet echoes loud and clear.

  • Great or Small, Love Them All: Celebrating World Animal Day

    Great or Small, Love Them All: Celebrating World Animal Day

    Every year on the 4th of October, the annual festival of animals is celebrated, acknowledging the diversity of the animal kingdom and reflecting on the importance of the welfare of animals around the world. Today, the 2023 celebration of World Animal Day is celebrated under the theme: “Great or small, Love them all”. Just as the theme implies, it implores us —Each and everyone that no matter how small an animal may seem to be, their lives matter. This year’s festival is a global movement dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for the welfare of animals. This special day reminds us that animals, regardless of their size or species, play a vital role in our ecosystem and deserve our love, respect, and protection. It emphasises the importance of cherishing every creature and the equal value of lives that share our planet.

    Just like it’s been previously mentioned, every animal has its role in balancing our ecosystem. Predators, like lions and tigers, help regulate prey populations, ensuring that ecosystems remain healthy. Insects, often disregarded, are the heroes of pollination, enabling the reproduction of countless plant species and providing the foundation of many food chains.

    Domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, offer companionship and support to humans, demonstrating the profound impact animals can have on our emotional well-being. Additionally, farm animals like cows, chickens, and pigs provide us with sustenance and livelihoods for millions of people worldwide.

    Significance 

    The Significance of World Animal Day:

    Originated by cynologist Heinrich Zimmermann and first organised on 24 March 1925 in Germany, World Animal Day was conceived as a platform to spotlight the plight of endangered species and galvanize efforts towards animal conservation. Over the years, it has transformed into a powerful day of action, education, and celebration, uniting animal enthusiasts, advocates, and organizations on a global scale.

    This commemorative event serves as a unifying force, uniting for kinder treatment of animals worldwide. It stands as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard and nurture the diverse species that coexist with us on this planet.

    Support The Movement

    What are some wonderful ways you can contribute to the welfare and conservation of animals? Here are some ways you can support them:

    1. If you’re thinking of having a pet, adopt from a rescue organisation or a shelter instead of buying from a breeder. This helps to care for animals in need.
    2. Offer your time and skills to local animal shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centres, or conservation organizations.
    3. Support organisations working to protect wildlife by donating.
    4. Choose products and services that are environmentally responsible. This helps protect the habitats of wildlife around the world. Learn more
    5. Reduce meat consumption, and eat more plant-based foods to minimise harm to farm animals.
    6. Avoid the use of harmful pesticides.
    7. Learn more about different species, ecosystems, and conservation efforts and share this knowledge with others to raise awareness.

    On this World Animal Day, we want to come together to celebrate the incredible diversity of life on Earth. From the smallest insects to the largest mammals, every creature has a vital role to play. By appreciating, respecting and protecting animals of all sizes, we ensure a more harmonious and sustainable future for our planet and all its inhabitants. Great or small, let us love them all. Show some extra love for your companions at home, this day is for them!

  • Critically endangered rhinoceros gives birth at Kansas City Zoo  

    Critically endangered rhinoceros gives birth at Kansas City Zoo  

    Kansas City Zoo welcomed the birth of a critically endangered species of rhino on December 31, 2022.

    Zuri, a critically endangered species of the eastern black rhino gave birth to its young in the early hours of the day as announced by zoo officials. 

    According to the report by the rhinos’ animal care specialist, the calf is healthy, walking, nursing, and playing. 

    This is a welcome development as eastern black rhinos also known as the East African black rhino, a subspecies of the black rhinoceros, have been the target of poaching because of their horn thereby leading to their constantly dwindling population. 

    Read also: Kenyan vets harvest 10 northern white rhino eggs in desperate conservation move

    The World Wildlife Foundation added that the political instability in Africa, its habitat, is fueling those poaching actions. The horns are used for herbal remedies the foundation noted. 

    Quoting the zoo officials, only about 740 eastern black rhinos are left in the wild. Poaching and a lack of safe habitat have been cited by Save the Rhino, a rhino conservation charity, as the major threats facing the animals. 

    The rhinoceros calf is expected to stay with its mother for at least two to four years. But in the meantime, human activities are limited around their enclosure to give mother and calf some bonding time. 

    Read also: Sumatran rhino now extinct in Malaysia

    Black rhinos are known to live for as long as 30 – 35 years in the wild and about 35 – 45 or more years in captivity according to Save the Rhino. 

     

  • ‘WeNaturalists’: First-ever global digital ecosystem for nature lovers

    ‘WeNaturalists’: First-ever global digital ecosystem for nature lovers

    WeNaturalists, an online platform is innovating in the nature conservation space.

    The online platform provides a mobile and web application interface for people and organizations associated with nature with the aim of bringing together the organizations and professionals who work passionately for the betterment of planet.

    Founded by entrepreneur and nature enthusiast Amit Banka, in 2019, WeNaturalists is geared towards giving a purpose to people’s passion for nature.


    “WeNaturalists is the ecosystem that allows you to connect and interact with millions of people from around the world, find job opportunities in nature, manage long-term and short-term projects and much more. It caters to people from varied backgrounds like forest rangers, nature guides, environmentalists, conservationists, climate change specialists, wildlife and nature photographers, researchers, botanists and zoologists, academicians, media professionals, eco-businesses, organizations, institutions, and charities working towards education, conservation and eco-tourism, and many more,” the organisation explained in a statement obtained by ConservationsNG on Tuesday.


    “With an easy-to-use interface and custom-made tools, the mobile and web applications have been welcomed by the People of Nature from over 150 countries including Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, UK, USA, Canada, India since its launch in November 2020.


    “Bringing this community together for collective action is the most critical requirement of today, and WeNaturalists is making it a reality.


    “WeNaturalists can be distinguished by its vision to be an ecosystem with the potential to become a unified voice for nature, and a catalyst for key decisions and discussions that could determine the future of nature.”

    The Application


    The application is user-friendly and in addition to the common social features, there are many specialized tools like Circles, which is an exclusive invite-only community feature for like-minded people to engage; Explore, which aggregates global nature news in a single place; Projects, which helps in finding jobs or assignments or attending events or trainings; Storybook, where storytellers can catalogue their photos and videos in an interactive format; Experience Showcase, which is a visual timeline of the work done by someone on an assignment in collaboration with multiple people; Causes, where everyone believing in an environmental cause can express opinions, exchange solutions and talk about their work for that cause and many more features like forums, polls, private and public messaging rooms.

    World People of Nature Day


    On the same day, to honor the People of Nature, WeNaturalists introduced People of Nature Awards, which recognized individuals with path-breaking initiatives in climate action from all over the world. In its first edition in 2021, 10 people were awarded.


    The mobile application is now available on Google Play Store and Apple Store.

  • President Buhari’s UN summit message, a hope for biodiversity conservation in Nigeria?

    President Buhari’s UN summit message, a hope for biodiversity conservation in Nigeria?

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s message at the virtual 2020 Biodiversity Summit, held on the margins of the 75th UN General Assembly, in New York seems like a message of hope to conservationists and environment advocates in the country.

    In the message delivered last Wednesday, at the summit convened by Ambassador Volkan Bozkir, president of the 75th UNGA, Nigeria’s president expressed that most indigenous flora and fauna commonly found within the country are facing extinction.

    Read also: Ogoni cleanup under HYPREP has failed — MOSOP

    He announced that an action plan has been put together to salvage the situation.

    ”We are reviewing our biodiversity-related laws and developing shelterbelts across 11 States in the country. In addressing biodiversity loss, we are implementing the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Programme in Ogoniland,” Buhari said.

    ”The on-going clean-up is another landmark in the ecosystem restoration initiative of our administration. It is aimed at improving livelihoods of communities in the South-South Region of the country.”

    Buhari pointed to a new National Forest Policy, a second update since 1988, signed in July this year as a commitment to ensuring continuous socio-economic development. He said the country is also mauling the development of a National Mangrove Restoration project in the Niger Delta region.

    ”Furthermore, we are currently implementing a national program on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, a mechanism developed by Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

    ”This programme is aimed at discouraging deforestation, conserving already existing forests, enhancing carbon stock and mitigating climate change impact.

    ”We have also facilitated the designation of Finima Nature Park in Bonny Island, Rivers State as the 12th Ramsar Site of international importance.

    Read also: Boko Haram kills three elephants in Nigeria – Cameroon border community

    ”The government is equally incorporating biodiversity into tourism sector through a national programme targeted at combating illegal wildlife trade and trafficking in two pilot protected area sites, namely: Gashaka-Gumti National Park; and Yankari Games Reserve,’’ President Buhari said.

    He added that the country would expedite the process of accession to both the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation.

    Nigeria would meet its international obligations on the Nagoya-Kuala Lampur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

    ”Concerning ocean governance and marine biodiversity protection, Nigeria is among the first twelve countries to sign onto the 30 by 30 Global Ocean Alliance.

    ”Accordingly, we have identified two viable sites for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas to help in the protection, conservation and management of both marine and coastal biodiversity resources.

    ”Leveraging on the Strategic Action Plan of the Lake Chad Basin, Nigeria is spearheading sub-regional biodiversity action to mitigate insecurity, provide jobs, boost agricultural output, food security and reduce poverty.

    ”Towards the delivery of our biodiversity aspiration, Nigeria has concentrated on the provision of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Protocols adopted under the Convention and other relevant multilateral environmental agreements into national environmental policies and programmes,” he said.

    Many Nigerians hope it is not just all talk. Researchers, rangers and conservation experts in the country believe that more is needed in order to really recover the disappearing biodiversity of Nigeria.

    In a recent interview with Dr. Tajudeen Amusa, a conservationist from the department of Forest Resources Management, University of Ilorin pointed out that many nature reserves in the country are now havens of criminals.

    He mentioned Sambisa forest, which is gazetted as a game reserve, but has now turned to home ground for the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists as a foremost example.

    Experiences by rangers in nature reserves corroborate his claim. This rangers mention lack of equipment to combat poachers and illegal loggers as an expression of lack of will to act by the government.

  • Donkey population rapidly collapsing in Nigeria – NAQS

    Donkey population rapidly collapsing in Nigeria – NAQS

    There is a sudden rise in demand for donkey skin in Nigeria and this is causing a rapid collapse in donkey population in the country. There is also a growing number of underground sellers of donkey skin. And authorities in the country are moving to combat the rapid depletion of the species population.

    The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) raised these concerns Wednesday in a statement made available by
    Head of Media, Communications and Strategies, NAQS, Dr. Gozie Nwodo.

    Read also: An Alleged Wildlife Trafficking Kingpin Evaded Prosecution

    Director-General, NAQS, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, in the statement reminded audience that Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, CITES, therefore Nigeria is obligated to institute all reasonable safeguards to protect the surviving breeds of donkeys within her borders from the possible threat of biodiversity loss and extinction.

    The global population of donkeys has suffered a collapse over the past decade, Isegbe revealed. The impact of climate change is projected to aggravate their depletion, hence efforts to conserve the species are required urgently.

    “The rise in demand for donkey skins has fostered a ravenous underground market for the product, resulting in a relentless open season on the donkey population,” Isegbe said.

    Donkeys from Nigeria are in high demand in China, where their hides and bones are used in traditional medicine.

    This is why a balance must be found between conservation of the species and its use for economic purpose.

    “This is a delicate balancing act that calls for the structuring and standardization of the value chain in order to maintain and restock the national herd population of donkeys by improved breeding, ranching, and other innovative ways,” he added.

    NAQS’ strategy to curtail the bad business is to “place value and viability” on Nigerian donkeys. This requires formalizing the export trade in donkey skins, setting the code for the management of the chain of custody and ensuring that traceability is obtainable at all points and from all angles of human interaction with donkeys.

    Read also: #SaveTheVultures: They need all the help

    “The Quarantine Service will engage all stakeholders as much as possible to achieve these fundamentals in order to make the export trade in donkey skin advantageous for everybody, including generations unborn.”

    Head of Animal Quarantine Department, NAQS, Dr. Abidodun Akinjo, fingers non-Nigerians as big players in the illegal donkey trade.

    “Despite the prohibition, we noticed that there were considerable donkey skin transactions afoot. In the past three months, we have worked hard to disorient the network behind this illicit activity,” Akinjo said.

    “We found out that foreign nationals were inducing and instigating this wanton depopulation of Nigerian donkeys.”

    Akinjo maintained that black market buyers of donkey hides in Asia have spent time and resources to cultivate a loyal supply network in Nigeria.

    Donkeys from Nigeria are in high demand in China, where their hides and bones are used in traditional medicine. The skins are boiled to produce a gelatin known as ejiao, which is used in Chinese medicine to cure anything from coughs to blood circulation.

    In 2016, it was estimated that around 156,000 donkeys were exported to China from Maigatari, a border town market in Jigawa, less than two minutes drive from Republic of Niger.

    “The sole interest of the donkey skin dealers is instant profiteering. Hence, they do not spare a thought beyond the exchange of money for donkey skin. Neither do they care about breeding donkeys to maintain the carrying capacity of the animals to ensure the perpetuity of the goose that lays the golden eggs,” he added.

    Since last year, the federal government has been in talks with investors on commercial breeding of the species to curb the black market.

    Concerns were also raised about the environmental hazards and public health issues resulting from the sourcing, transportation, slaughtering, and flaying of the donkeys for export.

    “That is why the NAQS is embarking on joint special operations with the police across the country and at all interstate control posts to checkmate export-bound stockpiling of donkey skin”, Akinjo said.

  • Covid19: UK zoo threatens to kill animals over lack of funds

    Covid19: UK zoo threatens to kill animals over lack of funds

    A zoo in Wales, Britain is threatening to put down its animals because it is running out of money to feed the exotic breeds amid the coronavirus lockdown.

    Tracy and Dean Tweedy, who own Borth Wild Animal Kingdom in West Wales, fear they only have enough money to feed more than 300 animals for a week.

    The married couple say their money is running out to care for their stock and are planning ‘as a last resort’ to euthanise ‘the animals that we care for’.

    Council chiefs ‘lost confidence’ in the ability of the zoo to operate safely following the deaths of two lynx and other animals.

    In January this year, the zoo was ordered to close because it did not have trained gunmen in case of an animal escape.

    it costs £3,000 a week to run the zoo and a cull of the animals has been considered if they cannot be fed.

    But it was allowed to reopen in February before having to close again in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.

    Ms Tweedy, 49, said many staff are on furlough and the zoo’s business relief grant of £25,000 has nearly run out.

    She said: ‘We were already only scraping by financially after the long, quiet winter season.

    ‘We need help now more than ever. Despite everything, we are as determined as ever to not give up.’

    Read also: Covid19: Tiger tests positive in US zoo

    She said it costs £3,000 a week to run the zoo and a cull of the animals has been considered if they cannot be fed.

    After the money runs out, the couple will have to start looking at re-homing but are considering euthanasia as a last resort.

    Problems for the zoo began in late 2017 when Lilleth the Eurasian lynx escaped and was shot dead by a marksman after being found at a nearby caravan site.

    A second lynx, Nilly, also died in what was described as a ‘handling error’.

    A report revealed one in five of the zoo’s animals died in just one year. It was discovered that monkeys, crocodiles and a leopard also died from its animal stock during 2018.

    Owner Tracy and Dean bought the zoo for £625,000 in 2016 to start a dream new life with their family, but it has since turned into a nightmare.

    Tracey said: ‘It would be tragic if mid Wales lost its only zoo. We work with so many local organisations on animal education and wildlife conservation that we see ourselves as a vital asset for the community.’

    Read also: ‘Security’ lion removed from Lagos house opposite crèche

    Tracy said many of the animals would be very hard to re-home due to licence requirements needed to look after the exotic animals.

    ‘We also run as a sanctuary for animals that have been rescued from the exotic pet trade. For many of these animals, we are a last resort.

    ‘They came here because destruction was their only alternative.

    ‘They would be very difficult to re-home as the licence requirements to look after these animals and provide the proper care, can be very involved and expensive,’ she said.

    The couple say Westminster has announced a fund to help zoos in England but there is no similar support in Wales.

    The Welsh government said it had already provided all licensed zoos with details of existing support schemes.

    ‘If any zoo operators have concerns about their ability to meet the needs of their animals, they should contact their local authority’s animal health team for advice without delay as they are on hand to offer support,’ a spokeswoman said.

    It said its £500m economic resilience fund provided more generous support than one specifically for zoos would have.

    A spokesman for Ceredigion County Council earlier said: ‘The local authority has lost confidence in the ability of the zoo to operate responsibly and safely.’

    Zoos were forced to close at the end of March due to the coronavirus lockdown and many have warned their futures are in danger from the impact of the pandemic.

    Andrew RT Davies, Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the Welsh Parliament, said: ‘This is a dire situation that the zoo finds itself in, but I’m afraid that zoos right across Wales are in the same precarious situation and desperately need support due to the profound impact of Covid-19.

    ‘It’s outrageous that whilst the UK Government has taken action and given £14 million to support zoos in England the Welsh Government has still not followed suit.