B.C. Wildlife Park GM Glenn Grant holds up a $15,000 cheque this week from New Gold. Kamloops businesses and residents have stepped up to raise more than $50,000 in the last two weeks to keep the park afloat (Image Credit: B.C. Wildlife Park)

By Chad Klassen

B.C. WILDLIFE PARK

B.C. Wildlife Park breathing easier after community donates $50,000 during closure

May 5, 2020 | 5:21 PM

KAMLOOPS — The B.C. Wildlife Park has been in a difficult financial position since closing its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While caring for the animals remains a top priority, closing has meant no cash flow.

Over the past few weeks, the big revenue loss has led to a growing concern over how the park will be able to keep up with the $10,000 cost of feeding the animals each month. With no guests, lost revenues, and bills still to be paid, the park’s financial statements were looking grim.

But after CFJC Today aired a story on the park’s financial struggles on Apr. 20, the community has stepped up to help.

Among many initiatives, 98.3 CIFM morning hosts Angie Heinze and Nikki Omen created a GoFundMe page for the wildlife park. It’s now close to $8,000.

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“We couldn’t be happier here on CIFM that we lend a hand and those animals are going to get fed,” said Omen, who’s been pleasantly surprised at the response. “The wildlife park will keep its doors open and people will go and get to see those majestic creatures.”

In addition, the wildlife park received a $15,000 cheque this week from New Gold. Altogether, the park is up over $50,000 in the last two weeks since expressing the need for donations. The money will keep the park afloat until they can re-open.

“It’s made a huge difference. It’s really a huge relief for us because we don’t want to have to close certain aspects of the park,” said animal care supervisor Tracy Reynolds. “One of the ones we do here is the rehab facility. It doesn’t bring in any money, but we really do not want to have to close that because that is a huge service to the community. It’s somewhere to bring those [injured] animals.”

To remain relevant during the pandemic, wildlife park has been moving more of its educational programs online.

“Hoping to still be able to reach our guests out in the community, raise awareness for how we’re able to help the animals at the park and just keep people entertained while they’re going through isolation,” said animal care attendant Larissa Deneault.

On Tuesday, the park aired its latest feed talk on Facebook featuring Igor the Raven.

“I’ve been working with Igor for about three years now, and every day is different, even hour to hour,” said Deneault. “I’ll go in with him first thing in the morning and then later in the afternoon and we never really know what behaviours we’re going to get.”

The next feed talk on Facebook will be next Wednesday morning at 10, featuring Dawson and Knute the grizzly bears.

If you would like to make a donation to the B.C. Wildlife Park, you can click here.