MONKEY FOUNTAIN ZOO, FIVE MILES OUT OF NDOLA IN ZAMBIA, FACES CLOSURE BECAUSE OF SHORTAGE OF CASH. AND CHIEFLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CASH CRISIS IS ZAMBIA'S PETROL RATIONING WHICH HAS REDUCED THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF VISITORS FROM 500 TO 30 A DAY AT WEEKENDS.

THE ZOO WAS SET UP EIGHT YEARS AGO. IT HAS MORE THAN 170 DIFFERENT ANIMALS, 130 BIRDS AND MORE THAN 1,000 FISH. EACH MONTH THEIR FOOD BILL TOPS GBP130.

SINCE PETROL RATIONING THE ZOO'S RECEIPTS HAVE SLUMPED. NOW WORRIED ZOO-MEN ARE DIPPING INTO THE RESERVE FUNDS -- AND THE MONEY IS FAST RUNNING OUT.

OFFERS OF HELP HAVE COME IN -- ONE OF THEM FROM A SOCIAL SERVICES CLUB -- BUT THEY DO NOT MEET THE FULL AMOUNT. NOW THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES MAY BE ASKED FOR FINANCIAL AID. IF IT IS NOT FORTHCOMING THE ZOO'S ADMINISTRATORS FACE THE PROSPECT OF EIGHT YEARS WORK ENDING IN FAILURE.