Tropiquaria Needs Help

Tropiquaria is a small zoo in Somerset, based on a 90 year old transmitting station. The building is listed as being or architectural merit, and so has to be maintained in the original style externally. Due to a fall in visitor numbers this year during the (busier) Summer months, we will not have the money to get through the Winter (even with the bank being jolly nice!). We want to stay open, for our visitors, for our animals, for our conservation work and for our staff (who are currently the best team that we have ever had.).

MORE DETAIL

For the last 17 years Tropiquaria has been run by Tropiquaria Ltd, under the directorship of Jane Bassett and Chris Moiser. 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 haven't!).

This year though we have suffered a drop of almost 3,000 visitors, and this means that we haven't saved the money necessary for rent, wages, food and energy over the Winter period. 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. 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, and visitors are the ones we gently and subtly educate. (You can be educated and enjoy yourself at the same time!)

HOW YOU CAN HELP

1. A cash donation through GoFundMe.

2. Visit us, every admission helps.

3. Book a child's party, a zoo keeper experience or a group outing.

4.Use our shop if buying gifts, you do not pay to park, and you do not pay an entrance fee if just using our shop. All profits here go towards maintaining the staff and other animals. We have loads of Christmas gift ideas too; and if you have the children with you we can arrange a transfer to Father Christmas.

5. Organize a fund raiser of some sort. Nothing too dangerous or risque though!

6. If you are a local business consider some sort of link - clearly not suitable for all businesses.....

7. If you are in the construction industry and have left over materials, or staff with time between projects, think of that as a potential donation, BUT please telephone first with details (there is only so much pink paint or rapidly setting cement a zoo can use!).