European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                European Ond inthe grandmother of All zoos struggles through hard times a Sumatran Tiger ticks its nose and stares calmly from its Home at the London zoo. London zoo by Amy Geiszler Jones . Bureau a the Quot grandmother of zoos Quot in t ready to expire yet but she May have one foot in the grave. Officials of the London zoo a which claims to be the oldest in the world a announced in july that the 165-year-old Park would remain open at least until 1992, despite its dire financial situation. They also plan to go ahead with some of its planned developments such As accepting two Panda bears sometime this fall. Ming Ming a 11-year-old female is to arrive from China possibly in september. She will be joined by a male from a Western zoo possibly one in the United states. But 70 percent of the 3,000 animals will be moving out to zoos elsewhere in Europe and. America in anticipation of the zoo s possible closure in september 1992. On a recent visit to the zoo signs of the Quot save our zoo Quot Campaign were apparent. The Campaign was launched to Appeal for support from the general Public. Banners emblazoned with a phone number accepting credit card donations Hung on various animal houses. To shirts depicting the Pink Panther asking to save the zoo were hawked at Concession stands. Visitors were asked to sign a petition offering their support for the zoo to remain open. So far More than 300,000 pounds about $513,000 has come in to the Campaign according to zoo spokeswoman Gina Dobson. In april the directors of the zoological society a Charity which runs the London zoo and Whipsnade wild animal Park a Breeding Park announced the zoo was facing financial trouble. It has been running up an annual 2 million Pound deficit for some Lime. In the april announcement zoo officials had said it looked Likely the zoo would close this year. London zoo unlike most european zoos runs with no government support except to rent the 36 acres it occupies on the Edge of Regent s Park from the department of environment. The department gave the zoo a 10 million Pound Grant three years ago saying at the time that no More handouts would be coming. Despite intense lobbying by the zoological society since april the government has stuck by that position. But zoo officials refuse to let go of this matriarch of All zoos. They still plan to ask for government support As Weli As lobby for corporate sponsorship while cutting operating costs. They really Don t want to vacate Regent s Park because they feel London needs a zoo. Quot there s been enormous support internationally Quot said Dobson. Letters have been Quot pouring  but visitors Haven t come in As rapidly As zoo officials had hoped a a situation blamed on bad weather As much As anything else. Over the past 12 years attendance has remained Static at about 1,3 million visitors a year one of the reasons contributing to the zoo s red Ink. In the week following the april announcement attendance jumped 35 percent but it soon dropped off again. Despite the financial Black Cloud a Day to the London zoo is still an Outing most kids and adults will enjoy. There is a wide variety of animals to look at and an unusually Large number of demonstrations and talks about the animals. In the children s zoo opened in 1938 by Edward and Robert Kennedy rabbits sit quietly wrinkling their Pink noses As visitors stroke their soft fur. Sheep poke their Heads Between the wooden Fence begging for a scratch behind the ears. Audiences can watch a cow being milked. Volunteers staff the Quot come and touch Quot Booths placed intermittently throughout the zoo. Passers by can touch part of a Reindeer s Hoof see a Camel s Skull or stroke a snakeskin. Guidebooks Are available for 1.95 pounds. A free brochure with a map of the zoo and the daily program of events is available at the Gate. The brochure includes vouchers for a free visit to Whipsnade wild animal Park. Whipsnade was transformed from a derelict farm to the world s first open zoo in 1931. Now More than 2,800 animals roam the Park s 600 acres. It is run As a Breeding and conservation Park helping Supply not Only its sister organization the London zoo but also other zoos and animals Parks around the world. Among Whipsnade s offspring Are some 123 cheetahs born since 1967 and 38 White Rhino calves born since 1970. Other endangered species Are bred Here to help preserve the species. Among its new developments for the year the Park has opened a new siberian Tiger enclosure called Quot Tiger Falls Quot which include a pair named Sergei and Tilly one of perhaps 100 Breeding pairs of siberian tigers left in the world. The 3-acre enclosure includes a Waterfall that plunges into a targe Pool and a suspension Bridge. A children s zoo and other special areas like the Wolf Wood and a Chimpanzee Center Are also on the grounds. Whipsnade is open from 10 . Until 6 , mondays through saturdays and from 10 . To 7 . Sundays and Bank Holiday mondays. Admission is 5.95 pounds for adults and 3.95 pounds for children Ages 4 to 15. Vouchers Are Given for a free visit to the London zoo. The Park is located Northeast of London near Dunstable off either junctions 9 or 12 of the m-1 Motorway. A Large free car Park is on the grounds. 4 stripes Magazine August 22, 1991