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In March, ZSL London Zoo and its sister zoo Whipsnade fell silent as potential visitors stayed away. This series reveals how a dedicated skeleton staff continued to care for the 20,000 animals in Regent's Park and the Dunstable Downs in Bedfordshire
Gemma and Meg must ensure that pregnancy care for Oni the okapi isn't blown off track by the unavailability of staff. Jamie must continue the zoo's arachnid breeding programme and introduce a couple of venomous Huntsman spiders to each other.
London Zoo is usually open every day except Christmas Day. It closed for two weeks during the Blitz, but now it's been shut for months. The animals need huge amounts of money to pay for their food and care, and without any visitors, the zoo is suddenly facing a £25 million shortfall. While the battle to find a way to reopen continues, some animals are taking advantage of the quiet period, and others are missing their interaction with the public.
