Primates in Kent are being closely monitored after experts suggested they could be vulnerable to coronavirus.

Acting in line with government advice the Aspinall Foundation have closed Port Lympne in Hythe and Howletts in Canterbury to the public and have now sent out a plea for help after being left with a £1.5 million food bill.

Dedicated keepers and animals teams remain in the park to look after more than 1,300 animals.

Keepers are handling primates and apes with particular care as experts believe they could be susceptible to Covid-19 because of how similar they are to us.

Great apes have been known to be vulnerable to respiratory diseases from people in the past, making this virus potentially dangerous to species such as gorillas, orang-utan and chimpanzees.

Because of this, sections of the parks reserved for apes and primates have been given extra bio-security - measures include extra use of gloves, foot dips and deep cleans .

Some areas even have keepers living on site to take care of the animals.

To keep their staff safe the parks have put special measures in place, such as social distancing, staggered lunch breaks and extra deep cleaning. Each member has also been given a thermometer and are performing regular monitored temperature checks.

A spokesman for The Aspinall Foundation said: "We are absolutely indebted to our animal teams in this unprecedented crisis and will continue our high standards of animal care in these uncertain and difficult times."

However, due to closures, the parks face a massive loss in the revenue which is vital for caring for their animals.

It costs £1.5 million per year for food alone. So animals' welfare is not put at risk, The Aspinall Foundation, which is KentOnline's charity of the year, is urgently in need of support from the public through their Animal Support Fund.

The public can also support the animals in the parks' care by purchasing an essential item from the Port Lympne or Howletts Amazon wish list.

Tony Kelly, managing director of the parks, said: “Without the continued support of our guests, visitors and members, we are facing an unprecedented crisis.

"Any donation, no matter how small, will help us to feed and look after our animals. Your support is critical, now more than ever. On behalf of all the team, I would like to thank you for your exceptional support during this challenging time."

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