COVID-19 Crisis Fund to Save Bioparque Amaru

http://www.zoobioparqueamaru.com/

Bioparque Amaru is desperately trying to save its animals from starvation in the midst of the Coronavirus outbreak in Ecuador. The park stands to lose at least $36,000.00 for every month that it remains closed during the COVID-19 outbreak. An average month brings $40,000.00 in visitor entrance fees to support the park. 

The animals will not survive if they do not have a minimum supply of food and medicine during this time. The situation requires action now, because we cannot postpone feeding and caring for the animals that are being sheltered at the biopark. Without our help, they will not be able to recover from the crisis later. There are more than 1,000 animals at Amaru that need our help.



We know that everyone has been hit hard by COVID-19 and the associated shutdowns around the world. However, we also have the unique opportunity to save this one-of-a-kind organization in Cuenca.

Bioparque Amaru is a wildlife rescue organization and sanctuary for animals who have been orphaned, injured and victims of illegal trafficking. Amaru rescued over 482 animals in 2019. On average, Amaru is able to return 17% of rescued animals to their natural habitats. Animals that cannot be returned to the wild are provided with spacious living areas on the biopark's 1000+ acre property in Cuenca, Ecuador.




The veterinarians and zookeepers at the zoo could also use your support. For more information on supporting the workers during this time, you can write to us directly at [email redacted].

As a way of rewarding you for your support, we will be creating short videos to show the positive impact that your donations have on the park's wildlife. ALL donors will be eligible to receive a video. Furthermore, gifts of more than $39.00 will be rewarded with an honorary park membership, active a year from the date the donation was made. Members will receive a virtual tour of the biopark that they can watch safely from home. 

If you do make it out to Amaru in the next year, your membership will be honored for admission costs.

For everyone's information, these are the costs of visits and annual mememberships. You can act as a "virtual visitor" or buy a REAL, functional year membership for yourself or your family if you donate at least these amounts. 

Annual Membership for Individual: $39.00 USD
Annual Membership for Family: $99.00 USD
Adult Entrance Fee (18-64 years) $6.00 USD  (3,99Zoo+2,01C.C.R)
Young Adult (13-17 years) $5.00 USD (3,50Zoo+1,50C.C.R)
Kids (2-12 years) $4.00 USD (2,99Zoo+1,01C.C.R)
Senior Special Entrance Fee (65+ years) 3,00 USD

Other monthly costs for the zoo and all its animals:

Salaries of all employees: $23000
Lunch provided for all employees and volunteers: $1000
Government Employee Health Insurance Fees: $2000
Utilities:  $2500
Fruit (animal diets): $3000
Formulated Zoo Diets: $600
Meat for Carnivorous Animals: $3000
Assorted Other Dietary Items: $1200
Veterinary Drugs and Treatment Costs: $1000
= $35,300 total average monthly operating costs




Thank you all for your help and support in these trying times. The animals rely on us to keep them healthy and well fed! Together, we can help Amaru avoid the worst of this crisis. 

All the best, 
Bioparque Amaru Zoo Team
Nikki Becich, DVM
Noah Foster-Koth, Zoo Collaborator and Publications Editor
Ernesto Arbeláez Ortiz, Director Ejecutivo y de Conservación
Victoria Arbeláez Ortiz, Directora Administrativa y Operativa
Amanda Vega Toral, Directorio Administrativo