A PUBLIC appeal was launched on Wednesday (November 13) to help keep open West Somerset’s favourite zoo, Tropiquaria.

The zoo, located at Washford Cross, near Watchet, has been hit by a triple whammy of falling visitor numbers, Government increases to the minimum wage and National Insurance payments, and rising costs of energy.

Now, zoo director Chris Moiser has opened an online fund-raising drive through GoFundMe.com which he hopes will bring in £10,000.

Some of the Patagonian mara which can be seen at Tropiquaria zoo.
Some of the Patagonian mara which can be seen at Tropiquaria zoo. ( )

Mr Moiser and fellow director Jane Bassett have run Tropiquaria for the past 17 years but now face a deficit of 10 per cent of its annual income.

Visitor numbers this summer fell by nearly 3,000, which ate into money the zoo would have saved to meet rent, wages, food, and energy bills during the winter.

Mr Moiser said: “The additional costs that the Government has planned for us in April, from the last Budget, will also hit us before the visitor numbers start to increase in 2025.

Kali, a serval which can be seen in Tropiquaria, recently turned four years old.
Kali, a serval which can be seen in Tropiquaria, recently turned four years old. ( )

“A modest increase in admission charges will help, but we do not want to raise this too much, as it will deter a lot of visitors.

“Even with a kind bank and an understanding landlord, this means that we will find it hard to get through to our main school holiday earning periods.

“Our deficit is not amazing, and we are hoping that our community and friends will be able to help us.”

Mr Moiser said as a zoo, Tropiquaria had legal duties to conserve and to educate, for which it received no State funding.

Nelly the skink relaxing in Tropiquaria.
Nelly the skink relaxing in Tropiquaria. ( )

He said more than 400 work placement students had been taken on from colleges and universities in his 17 years, and Tropiquaria’s only income was from the visitors and donations.

The zoo’s conservation work with rare Mexican fish was recognised worldwide and some species had been introduced back to the wild.

Tropiquaria will become the largest freshwater aquarium in the country when Chester Zoo closes its aquarium next year.

Mr Moiser said zoo staff also carried out some animal rescue work, such as with abandoned pythons found earlier this year near Honiton, in East Devon, and helped to re-home animals seized by the authorities.

A video from Tropiquaria during the Covid lockdowns.

Tropiquaria staff were also available to give people advice.

Mr Moiser said: “It has never really run at a profit, with most of the money made being ploughed back into upgrading enclosures, the odd animal rescue, and maintaining the building and grounds.

“We have survived a recession, the construction of a roundabout outside, which cut us off from the main road, and Covid.

“We have paid back two-thirds of our ‘bounce back loan’, many have not.”

Mr Moiser said people could help by donating money directly, visiting the zoo, booking children’s parties or zoo experiences, or organising fund-raising activities.

More details on how Free Press readers can help can be found on the GoFundMe page here, or they can call Mr Moiser on 01984 640688.

A similar appeal during the Covid pandemic raised more than £9,900 for Tropiquaria.