'It’s been a very difficult few days' - bosses at Dudley Zoo and Castle say after Storm Goretti destroys Flamingo Falls attraction causing £75,000 of damage
Dudley Zoo and Castle has been counting the cost after Storm Goretti swept through the region battering its flamingo attraction and causing damage that's likely to cost more than £75,000 to repair.
Luckily, the zoo’s animals were unharmed by the storm which brought heavy snow and rain to the Midlands last Thursday (January 8) and Friday (January 9) but it left a wake of destruction, bosses at the Castle Hill attraction have confirmed.
The zoo’s Flamingo Falls attraction was the worst hit and will need a total rebuild which zoo bosses estimate will cost at least £75,000.
An online JustGiving page has now been launched to help raise funds to cover the costs of the damage which has become apparent now the snow and ice has melted.
In a Facebook post, a spokesperson for Dudley Zoo and Castle said: “It’s been a very difficult few days here at Dudley Zoo and Castle.
“Like other attractions in the area, we got hit badly by Storm Goretti, which caused considerable damage to animal enclosures and trees across the zoo’s 40-acre site.
“Thankfully all our animals were unharmed by the heavy snowfall, but only now with the snow subsiding are we able to truly assess the devastation it left in its wake.
“The main casualty has been Flamingo Falls, the netted habitat for our 21-strong flock of Chilean and American flamingos at the zoo’s entrance, which in parts, has been destroyed.
“All our flamingos and red breasted geese are currently safe and well in their indoor area, but we’re looking at a total rebuild of their outdoor habitat, estimated at a cost well in excess of £75,000.”
Zoo supporters and people across the Dudley borough and beyond have been asked to give generously if they can to help with the necessary rebuild at the popular 40-acre attraction.
The spokesperson added: “As a non-profit charity, we rely entirely on the support of visitors, supporters and members, who not only enable us to continue our education and conservation work with wildlife across the globe but also help us care for some amazing animals on site.
“We’ve launched a JustGiving page to help raise funds for our flamingo rebuild and any support would be much appreciated at this time.”
The online donation page can be found at justgiving.com/campaign/dzcfundsforflamingos
People can also support the zoo by visiting, adopting an animal, becoming a member or purchasing items from its Amazon wishlist - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/23SWM8GBWT5V9?ref_=wl_share
