Tough times for Dartmoor Zoo, of Hollywood film 'We Bought a Zoo' fame

Dartmoor Zoo was made famous by the Matt Damon movie but has been shut to the public since restrictions were put in place in March.

But despite no visitors and no income, the zoo still has more than 250 animals to look after and feed - ranging from its lions and tigers to its famous escaping lynx.

Staffing levels have been slashed by two thirds and running costs have been halved.

However, the zoo still needs £11,500 a week from the public to avoid its worst case scenario - which could lead to its animals having to be euthanised.

The team said they were doing everything possible to avoid this - but warned it faces an uncertain future.

The remaining 14 staff that have been kept on have continued to work hard to ensure the animals themselves are being fully cared for - and these photos show life carrying on almost as normal for the creatures.

The staffing levels have been cut from 45 with those left split into two teams that never mix in case of an outbreak.

Education visits, which are a lifeblood to zoos have also been stopped, with just a daily Facebook Live being done.

Deputy CEO Coral Jones described the current scenes as "surreal" but said for the animals themselves nothing had changed.

"They are having the time of their lives under lockdown," she added.

"For the animals nothing has changed and it is lovely and quiet for them. They couldn't be happier.

"There is nothing different for them and they are still being looked after the same way. It is business as usual from their point of view.

"None of the zookeepers are furloughed and they are still working full time caring and feeding and doing everything to prepare the enclosures.

"They are working in two separate teams and they do not mix in case one gets ill. That has been the biggest change.

"But surreal is the best way to describe the zoo at the moment. We would normally be absolutely buzzing at the moment with hundreds of people coming through the gates every day. Instead the gates are shut."

Coral described the zoo's financial challenge as "huge". When it is running at full capacity it costs about £90k a month to run but with everything shut they have managed to cut the costs to half.

But she said that means they have to raise around £11,500 a week.

She added: "The support from the public has been humbling. We have raised £45k on our justgiving page and another £12k on Facebook. This has allowed us another month of running costs before we can try and access money from the government.

"But the appeal is on-going and the crucial figure is £11,500 a month. It feels like we fell through a massive gap. Our insurance claim was denied and we did not get the opportunity to get the bank loan as we are a young charity and didn't have the necessary reserves.

"Anything people can do to support us and any other zoos in the country is absolutely vital.

"If we do run out of money in the first instance we would have to shut and work with other zoo members to see who they can take on. The trouble is everyone is in the same boat. There is a massive cost to transfer animals involved. In the worst case scenario if all else fails we will have to look at reducing the number of animals on site through euthanasia. But that is obviously something we are desperate to avoid."

Coral said they not yet been given advice on when they might be able to reopen but says with social distancing likely to still be required they would still have difficulty making a profit.

"It is going to cost a lot to get it up and running safely again," she said.

"We are just waiting on government guidance."

A highlight of each day is the delivery of items on an Amazon wishlist that the public have donated.

Coral added: "People have been so generous and lovely donating cash or things from our Amazon wish-list that we give to the animals for their enrichment. Thank you to everyone who has helped us so far."

To donate visit dartmoorzoo.org.uk.