Derby, UK: Brakes and Fresh Logistics are providing food and refrigerated storage to Twycross Zoo during the Covid-19 crisis.
The Leicestershire zoo, first opened in 1963, has over 500 animals and is a renowned primate zoo. The zoo has closed to the public due to the current global pandemic, and with no gate receipts or commercial income, the resources available for the animals are dwindling.
Fresh Logistics initially contacted Twycross Zoo after seeing social media posts detailing the strains that Covid-19 was causing. Long-term partner Brakes quickly offered to donate fresh fruit, vegetables and salad during the Covid-19 outbreak. Brakes offered fresh produce, predominantly from its Pauley’s site at Corby, for Fresh Logistics to collect and deliver to Twycross Zoo, aid that is much appreciated when it comes to feeding the 150+ different species in its care.
Adam Collett, UK marketing director, Brakes said: “We have been supporting the government’s efforts to help maintain food supplies to the population and are really pleased to also now be helping Twycross Zoo by providing much needed fresh fruit and vegetables for its animals.”

Twycross received further bad news in the form of a breakdown in its refrigerated storage, to which Fresh Logistics used the Fridge Hire side of its business to provide a refrigerated 18-tonner. The vehicle is acting as an on-site chilled chamber until the zoo’s storage unit is repaired. Fresh Logistics is used to providing on-site temporary refrigerated units to restaurants, food manufacturers, supermarkets and pharmacies in emergencies.
Although the support from both companies is helping ease the current situation the zoo still requires further donations so that it is able to continue the work that it does once it re-opens. Anybody wishing to make a contribution at: www.twycrosszoo.org/donate/