Dublin Zoo now ‘operating profitably’ and expects to record small surplus

Dublin Zoo is now “operating profitably” and the society which operates Dublin Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park in Cork expects to record “a small surplus” for the year.

Accounts filed by the Zoological Society of Ireland show that the not-for-profit organisation recorded operating losses of €4 million in 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic.

The €4 million operating loss was before public and State Covid-19 support were taken into account.

The society recorded operating losses of €4 million after the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions put a €10.28 million hole in its revenues.

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Operating income last year declined by 46 per cent to €11.9 million as visitor numbers fell from 1,040,284 to 460,483 last year while attendances at Fota Wildlife Park reduced from 462,047 to 384,901.

Last year was the first time in 10 year that Dublin Zoo did not have more than one million visitors.

However, a successful fundraising drive – Save Dublin Zoo – softened the financial impact of the pandemic. The campaign generated €2.7 million. As a result of this and State wage subsidy schemes , the society’s deficit for the year came to €599,000.

The society’s shop income reduced by 47 per cent from €2.97 million to €1.57 million.

Numbers employed fell from 167 to 124 and staff costs reduced from €7.4 million to €5.22 million.