Colchester Zoo is the largest private zoo in the UK. As the zoo operation is private it receives no external funding, and is liable to pay VAT at the full rate of 20% on all its income, as well as business rates and corporation tax. All funds from its retail, catering and admissions go directly to funding the zoo and its future development.

This income along with donations helps to fund Colchester Zoo’s charity, Action for the Wild, which assists conservation projects all over the world, including its own project, the UmPhafa Nature Reserve is KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

Colchester Zoo is therefore wholly sustained by its visitors and we are eternally grateful for your much needed support. Today, it costs around £7.2million per year to run the zoo, which is around £600,000 a month.

The following figures give you an illustration of how your money helps the work and running of Colchester Zoo:

  • Insurance £135,000
  • Enclosure Development and Maintenance £634,296
  • Wages for around 350 staff £5,270,165
  • VAT & Tax £2,076,209
  • Utility bills £820,087
  • Animal food and vet bills £422,371

(Figures based on 2016 financial year)

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