Mexico biopark struggles to feed its animals

With Mexico extending social distancing measures due to coronavirus pandemic, country's many med parks are struggling to find funds to keep running.

Restrictive measures will continue for ar month in Mexico, until end of May, with peak of pandemic still some three weeks away, according to government estimates.

That is t good news for animal parks like Bioparque Estrella - one of more than 50 med parks throughout country - and for all its 1,500 permanent residents like elephants, lions, and giraffes.

visitors' entrance fees pay for food for animals, upkeep of park and staff ws.

Park manrs are busy devising strategies to keep ir animals fed and ir caretakers employed, like selling tickets online, in vance, at a quarter of ir value for when park reopens once pandemic is over.

strategy has surpassed 1,000 ticket sales park h planned but is still far from 10,000 people per day that visited park on Easter last year.

entertainment industry has been one of worst affected by coronavirus pandemic as it was one of first to stop activities and is expected to be one of last to resume business.

Mexico has confirmed more than 8,200 coronavirus cases and reported over 686 deaths.

For most people, new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.