Jersey Zoo Reports £4.8m Loss in 2024

Jersey Zoo Faces £4.8m Loss as Calls Grow for Financial Overhaul. Jersey’s only zoo has been urged to cut costs and boost fundraising efforts after reporting a £4.8m loss in 2024.

The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (DWCT), which operates Jersey Zoo, revealed in its annual report that visitor numbers had fallen sharply, dropping from more than 209,000 in 2023 to under 176,000 last year. Donations from individuals and businesses also declined over the same period.

The figures sparked concerns over the trust’s management, leading to an extraordinary general meeting where members rejected calls for the board of trustees to step down.

Directors admitted the past year had been “financially challenging,” citing rising costs driven by inflation, statutory wage increases, and wider economic instability. “While most income streams held steady, a steep decline in donations alongside higher expenses placed additional pressure on finances,” they said.

Despite the downturn, the trust noted that it had kept spending below budget and invested in new facilities, including a gorilla enclosure.

Looking ahead, DWCT leaders said 2025 would be a “critical” year for the zoo’s future. “Our priority is long-term financial sustainability through cost reductions, greater efficiency and targeted investment to help generate income,” they added.