ZOO bosses have said they will ‘not consider’ euthanising animals after a number of parks revealed they would take the sombre step.

Safari parks are facing a huge financial challenge as the coronavirus lockdown puts paid to their main source of income.

Last week the owner of a zoo in Kent drew up a list of animals he would be forced to destroy in a bid to save others.

The news led supporters of Dalton’s Safari Zoo, which has more than 1,000 animals, to contact the Furness park voicing their concerns.

Safari Zoo’s chief executive Karen Brewer has since reassured visitors that euthanising animals is ‘not something we will even consider’.

“I hope all of you have come to know the love we have for the animals in our care and hope you guys would know we would move mountains for them,” she said.

“Having said that, nobody should underestimate the financial challenge facing us.

“Like all zoos we currently have no income at all, we have like others will have cut all non essential staff and expenditure but our essential costs are still extremely high - food, hay, bedding, essential staff.

“This is clearly an unsustainable situation so it would be remiss of the zoos owners - me, Kim, Anna, Stewart, Sam, Ian, Paula, if we weren’t looking very hard at what we can do to mitigate the loss and protect our future.

“I suspect that every single business in the country is doing exactly the same.

“We are very grateful for the support that has been offered to us, for all you guys who have bought half price tickets for when we do open, those who have purchased e-doptions, sponsored meals and for the physical donations that we have received in the last few weeks they really do make a massive difference.”