Virus drives Peru's zoos to breaking point as feed runs out

Shelters like this care for about 4,000 exotic animals -- some near-death -- that police rescue each year from traffickers. Administrators from refugees and zoos sent a letter to the Peruvian authorities asking for help but they haven't received a response so far.

Lima:Animal shelters and zoos in Peru fear that the collapse in their income because of the coronavirus will affect their ability to feed and care for the animals.

Managers from the Amazon shelter in the Peruvian jungle, that helps animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, say that the shelter can provide food for the next two weeks for the animals, but will have to borrow money to continue beyond that.

Shelters like this care for about 4,000 exotic animals - some near-death - that police rescue each year from traffickers.

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Administrators from refugees and zoos sent a letter to the Peruvian authorities asking for help but they haven't received a response so far.Peru is one of the countries in Latin America hardest hit by the coronavirus with at least 19,250 confirmed illnesses and 530 deaths, second only to Brazil.

(AP)