'We need help': San Antonio Zoo is asking for donations after coronavirus pandemic hurt its income

Melannie Lough, senior animal care specialist at the San Antonio Zoo feeds the giraffes at the Africa Live! exhibit on Tuesday, Mar. 24, 2020. The zoo has had to furlough some of its employees because of the coronavirus pandemic, which forced its closure. But an essential staff of animal care specialists are still on duty to care for the animals. less Melannie Lough, senior animal care specialist at the San Antonio Zoo feeds the giraffes at the Africa Live! exhibit on Tuesday, Mar. 24, 2020. The zoo has had to furlough some of its employees because of the ... more Photo: Kin Man Hui /Staff Photographer Photo: Kin Man Hui /Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 35 Caption Close 'We need help': San Antonio Zoo is asking for donations after coronavirus pandemic hurt its income 1 / 35 Back to Gallery

In January, the San Antonio Zoo asked the community to donate funds to help care for the animals affected by the devastating Australian wildfires. Now, the zoo is hoping the public will step up again to save its animals in the Alamo City.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the San Antonio Zoo has taken a huge financial hit as 100 percent of its income depends on ticket sales, guest spending, grants and donations. Funds ran low after the private non-profit entity closed its gates due to the stay-at-home orders that went into effect in March.

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Since then, the zoo furloughed most of its staff and has lost almost the "entirety of its income," San Antonio Zoo CEO Tim Morrow said in a news release on Tuesday.

Morrow added he hopes the same community that helped raise $40,000 for the Australia Wildlife Fund will repeat the kind gesture for the San Antonio Zoo's emergency fund.

“We are asking the community to step up to help support the care for the animals at San Antonio Zoo just as they did to help us support animals in Australia,” Morrow said. “Now, more than ever in our 100-year history, we need help.”

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To donate to the San Antonio Zoo's emergency fund, click here.

Although the zoo is closed, the animals are still being cared for by the essential staff of animal care specialists. Fans of the zoo can watch live cams of some of its exhibits.

Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net | @CillaAguirre