Paradise Park in Hayle is hoping people will support the birds and animals it gives sanctuary to through the winter months.

Staff had already made the "hard decision" to close the site to visitors for a period of time – just hours before a third national lockdown was announced.

Director Nick Reynolds said on Monday, before the announcement that businesses such as wildlife sanctuaries were to close: “We have reached a point where being open during January will cost us money.

"Fifteen years ago we invested in our big indoor play centre and, as we hoped, our winter seasons were transformed. Now the JungleBarn is closed [when in Tier 3], which is understandable, but sadly with the cold wet weather visitor numbers have already dropped and we can’t economically staff the entrance, shop and café.

Falmouth Packet:

"We have also taken into consideration the need to protect our staff from Covid-19, we really can’t be without our keepers so minimising their contact with any people is wise. The keepers have worked hard doing their jobs this past year plus dealt with all the additional hand-washing, mask-wearing and distancing.

"As with many businesses in Cornwall, we get through the winter on the money we make during the summer. But with the first three-month lockdown and then restricted visitor numbers we have not been able to make up lost income, and the cost of looking after the animals continues every day.

"We have been able to secure some funding which has helped in the short term, and are hoping to receive a positive outcome from our DEFRA grant application, and meanwhile relying very much on the local community and supporters from further afield with donations of food, money and items from our Amazon Wish List.

Falmouth Packet:

"So once again we are putting out an appeal to help support the park through this tough time. It costs a minimum of £46,000 every month to care for the birds and animals, the same if we are open or closed as they always need their feed, and there are staff wages, vets bills, water, electricity, enclosure maintenance etc. We have a donations page on our website which includes all the different ways people can help.”

Visit the Paradise Park fundraising page at paradisepark.org.uk/support-us/donations

Here you can also see examples of how much it costs to feed some of the birds. For a penguin it is just over £10 a week and the park has 21 penguins, at a cost of around £11,000 a year just for the penguin colony.

Mr Reynolds added: "We have 1,200 birds and animals so every gift really will make a difference to ensure the high standard of care we pride ourselves on continues every day. We are keeping positive because every day we work with amazing animals and as so many species here are extremely endangered - we have spent decades working with them here at the Park and on their conservation in the wild."

Season ticket holders will have their passes extended by the amount of days the park is closed.