World unites to raise funds for Tbilisi Zoo in online campaign (VIDEO)

People all over the world have a chance to help Tbilisi Zoo recover from a devastating flood that slammed the Georgian capital on June 13.

About $7,000 USD (about 16,000 GEL) has been raised in less than six days through donations from about 155 people via international crowdfunding website Indiegogo.

The account was established to help raise money for the Zoo after it was partially destroyed by the flash flood.

The money raised in the online campaign will be used primarily to ensure the surviving animals are housed in secure enclosures and that they are well cared for.

As a way of thanks, Tbilisi Zoo will offer gifts to everyone who donates to the campaign. Gifts will include:

• Donors’ names will be written on a special wall in the new zoo.
• Donors will be offered free entry to Tbilisi Zoo.
• Donors will receive illustrated T-shirts and video-messages from Beglar, Tbilisi Zoo’s hippopotamus, post cards "signed” by a Tbilisi Zoo lemur and photos of other zoo animals.
• A new born animal in Tbilisi Zoo will be named after significant donors.

Tbilisi Zoo lost three of its staff and about half of its 600 animals.

Shortly after the flood several animals managed to escape from their flooded enclosures and all have been recovered except two – a tiger and a striped hyena still remain unaccounted for.

People can donate to the Indiegogo campaign for another 25 days before it closes in mid-July.

Click here to donate.

Meanwhile Tbilisi Zoo friends from Riga, Latvia, created a support video for Tbilisi Zoo. Watch the video below.