Zoo launches new £25k hospital plea

The attraction had planned to build an all-new facility, but was forced to put the plans on hold due to a lack of cash.

Now RZSS bosses hope to fill the money pot with up to 25,000 in donations so it can modernise the current hospital, including its key surgery and research areas.

In a statement outlining the appeal they pointed out that the facility required "urgent assistance to help ensure the highest standard of care is maintained".

Bosses said: "The hospital structure itself is sound, but new veterinary standards demand a modernisation of the facility and key areas, including incubation, x-ray, post mortem, quarantine and store room departments.

"But the area in need of the greatest attention sits at the very core of the facility; the life-saving Animal Emergency Room (ER) operating theatre."

In an Scottish Government report last September, the veterinary hospital was flagged up as being a "problem" area after inspectors said certain areas needed upgrades and further maintenance.

But chief executive Hugh Roberts said the zoo had been working on the animal hospital since the criticisms and the latest proposed additions were further upgrades.

He said: "We do a few fundraising campaigns every year. Last year we had one for Mercedes and this year we're hoping to raise for the animal hospital. Around 25,000 is needed to improve the current hospital. We need to up the standards a bit and are looking to improve the surfaces and tiling do we can improve the general hygiene conditions. This is part of the continuing upgrades and improvements needed. It's not linked to the zoo licence, this is work we wanted to do anyway."

The zoo is also in the process of raising funds to bring two giant pandas from China, which will require an annual payment of one million dollars, plus food and maintenance costs. Mr Roberts added that the fundraising was "going along well" and that a team was "in the process of raising funds".

Plans to complete a crucial 72 million development over the next 20 years have been blighted in recent years after a lucrative landswap deal was met with opposition and a number of planning issues.The land sale, which was expected to raise necessary funds, has been put on hold and its selling price has dropped by several million.

The attraction has, however, now opened its new 760,000 entrance, which includes live animal cams and doors closer to the car park.

Speaking of the animal hospital developments, bosses said: "To date, larger animals such as tigers, hippos and sun bears have been treated in their exhibits or holding areas because the ER could not accommodate them.

"Surgeries have also become a problem, leading to stressful, time-consuming, costly and sometimes life-threatening transport to external sites. The new animal hospital will allow for first class veterinary care on-site for all of our exotic and endangered animals.

"But stringent government support means your assistance is now urgently needed to help raise 25,000 and make the new Animal Hospital and Animal ER possible."