A historic zoo, which featured in a TV series with the star gorilla, Jürgen, is up for sale.
The charity that owns Paignton Zoo, Devon, confirmed it is facing financial difficulties.
The Wild Planet Trust is looking at securing investment for the 85-acre site, which is home to more than 2,000 animals, together with an additional 18 acres of land next door.
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The conservation charity said investment is needed to protect its long-term future.
The zoo is at the forefront of battles to save endangered species such as the pink pigeon and only recently celebrated its centenary after being founded in 1923.
It has featured in TV programs like the BBC’s Zoo Keepers and CBBC’s The Zoo.
The latter featured kids’ favourite Jürgen – a western lowland gorilla, as reported by Need To Know.
In a statement, bosses said: “We have started to explore the possibility of securing investment.
“Confidentiality is crucial to this process, ensuring that all relevant parties have access to consistent, accurate, and timely information.
“This confidential approach is in place to protect the interests of all involved, ensuring that no party is unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged by incomplete or speculative information.
“We have previously shared information regarding the financial challenges that we face, and whilst we have already taken appropriate action to try to ease these challenges, this is another avenue for us to investigate.
“Our unwavering commitment remains on providing our animals with the highest levels of welfare and husbandry, ensuring all of their physical, emotional and environmental needs are met.
“Securing investment will ensure we protect the long-term future of our conservation charity and continue to help halt species decline.
“We will share more information when we are able to.”
In July 2024, the Wild Planet Trust announced a number of redundancies at Paignton Zoo in Devon and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall.
At the time, it said operational costs for both zoos amounted to £1 million per month.
Sally Everton of tourism organisation Visit Devon said: “It’s very sad.
“It’s an iconic attraction.
“I’m just hoping it will be saved.”
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