Tigers, leopards and elephants may starve as zoo runs out of money

A struggling zoo has warned it will run out of food supplies in 48 hours - putting at risk hundreds of exotic animals.

Desperate workers at Edenlandia Zoo in Naples, Italy, have warned that its reserves of hay, fruit and other foodstuffs will be exhausted within two days.

Once a thriving attraction, the zoo declared bankruptcy in 2011 as it battled to stay open.

Administrators stepped in to care for the 300 animals faced with an uncertain future.

But the animals are in jeopardy again and with absolutely no money at present to buy in more food there is a very real threat the animals will starve.

The administrators tenure is due to end on January 31 and unless a new owner is found, the zoo will be forced to close and 70 staff will be made redundant.

A union representative told the Italian news agency ANSA: "There are only a few days left for both us and the animals. We would like to know why it has got to this point and mostly, what is going to be done.

"If no solution is found, we are going to be thrown out and the animals will die of hunger."

The zoo is home to tigers, leopards, brown bears, zebras, elephants, ostriches and antelopes and also offers a petting zoo with farm animals.