The Durrell Wildlife Trust has been protecting animals for over 40 years

And people are being asked to support the Zoo's new projects.

The Zoo is facing increasing costs in flying people and animals in and out of Jersey.

And there is a shortfall of more than �1m for 2002.

We are dependent on tourism and the stock market and the problem is both of those are performing badly Mark Stanley Price, Jersey Zoo

The zoo is also blaming a drop in visitor numbers.

Mark Stanley Price, the Durrell Wildlife Trusts Executive Director, said consultants were brought in last year to see how the zoo was performing.

"They looked at where we were performing efficiently and effectively as a zoo, benchmarking ourselves against other zoos," he said.

"And we came out of that very well and we are better off here than anywhere else.

New projects

"It shows the value of Jersey.

"We are known worldwide with the name Durrell Wildlife and that is of huge value.

"We are dependent on tourism and the stock market, as are all charities, and the problem is both of those are performing badly."