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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Imogen Braddick

Chester Zoo to host pool party for elephants in series of live virtual tours

Elephants at Chester Zoo will be treated to a pool party in this week's virtual tour of the attraction which is currently closed to the public during the coronavirus lockdown.

The live events have been broadcast on Facebook and YouTube every Friday so the public can see the animals from the comfort of their own homes.

This week, zookeepers are hosting a pool party for the elephants and will be broadcasting live on Facebook from various animal enclosures until 3.30pm.

"Join us live on Facebook and YouTube from 10am for a whole day of amazing animal antics, it’s the perfect way to learn, all from the comfort of your own home," the zoo said on Facebook.

"We'll be featuring many of your favourite species."

Asian short-clawed otters, songbirds from south east Asia and fossa from Madagascar were shown this morning, drawing in hundreds of thousands of viewers.

At 1pm, zookeepers will host a session with the tortoises and ask members of the public to help name two new babies.

🐦🎥LIVE: A Virtual Zoo Day at Chester Zoo 🎥🐘 We're back THIS Friday as we bring the UK's number one zoo to you! Join...

Posted by
Chester Zoo
on
Thursday, 23 April 2020

The elephant herd pool party will kick off at 2pm and the day will end with a tour of the aardvark enclosure.

All you need to do is tune into Chester Zoo's Facebook page.

The attraction has launched a fundraising page this week to "keep up the fight for an extinction-free future" while the zoo is closed to visitors.

"Despite everything going on, our conservation experts will continue the fight to prevent extinction, and ensure a future for endangered species, no matter how big or how small," the page says.

"Whilst we plan for as many eventualities as we possibly can, this situation we all find ourselves in is extraordinary.

Two Sumatran tigers play in their enclosure at Chester Zoo (PA)

"Visitor income is critical to us; it makes up about 97 per cent of our income.

"Without being open, this certainly has its challenges, but whatever happens we'll continue to provide each and every animal with the same incredible care they receive all year round."

More than £6,000 has been donated so far.

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