More than £12,000 donated to animal sanctuary near Boston for lockdown relief, but owners may still have to sell on-site mobile home

However, the family behind The Ark, in Stickney, are still facing the prospect of selling the mobile home they live in on site to keep up with the running costs of the operation while it is closed.

The award-winning Ark is home to about 300 animals, ranging from crocodiles, wildcats, foxes and raccoons, to rabbits and pygmy goats, with the vast majority being rescued from the European pet trade.

It relies solely on visitors to fund its work, and so, with the site currently closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak, it has been appealing for donations.

At the time of writing, more than £12,774 had been pledged.

Jamie Mintram, 45, who owns the site with wife Michelle, 38, said the response to the appeal has been ‘fantastic’, but noted, with regret, the issues behind it had not yet been resolved.

He said: “Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go, with the average running costs of the sanctuary being around £25,000 a month and many of the costs remaining the same whether we are closed or open.

“In order to cover the growing bills and these ongoing costs we have had to look into the possibility of selling the mobile home we live in on site and move into a smaller caravan that is on site.”

To help cut its costs, the small team of keepers at The Ark has been furloughed.

Jamie and Michelle have found two new keepers in their children Josh, 14, and Chloe, 11.

“The kids have been fantastic and really taken to their roles as zoo keepers,” said Jamie. “Now six weeks in, they have their own roles and head out onto the park with no instruction and get on with the work in hand.

“They have been invaluable during the shut down, they’ve really stepped up to help us and the animals out.”

* You can support the family in their efforts by donating at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/friendsoftheark