We report first on his donation of $20,000 to the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center. Lyndon Guiseppi, the Chairman of the Fund, handed over the cheque yesterday to Celso Poot, the Zoo's Operations Manager. Poot expressed gratitude to the donors on behalf of the Belize Zoo, and he explained that the funds will go directly into the care, nutrition, and quality of life of over 200 animals in the zoo's care, which represent 45 native species of Belizean wildlife.

As we told you, the Zoo hosts approximately 86,000 visits annually, and half of those guests are Belizeans. But, with the closure of the airport, and the national State of Emergency measures - both of which were caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic - the Zoo's income streams have been severely impacted. It is currently opened by appointments only, and it is through generous donations from merchants and other members of the public that they are able to feed the animals and keep their staff employed during these difficult times. That is why they reached out to Belizeans and the Lord Ashcroft COVID-19 Fund, which responded favorably.