While allowing beaches parks and stately home gardens to reopen, Government have told Zoos that they must remain closed 'indefinitely'. This is despite the fact that they are more than able to implement the necessary distancing and other control measures, many of which are seemingly not in place for the beaches, parks and public spaces where people are able to gather in large numbers.

Zoos such as Twycross and Chester are  charitable organisations that undertake vital conservation work and  rely on the income generated by public attendance in order to  cover significant costs to feed, house and care for the animals. These expenses are not reduced just because they are closed. They are limited in alternative sources of income and are falling into millions of pounds worth of debt with each week that they are instructed to remain closed.

Zoos generally have large open outdoor spaces which naturally lend themselves to current government guidelines and also support mental health and physical wellbeing. They are even more able to adapt  to Covid-19 requirements through pre-booking, one way systems, closure of indoor areas etc. than many other places and organisations that have been included on the totally random list allowed to reopen. They  are having to sit by and watch while their years of hard work and dedication is destroyed in front of them. 

These zoos are important for many reasons.  Their long term futures and the impact that financial failure and permanent closure would have both on the animals and wider work due to these ongping restrictions must be considered as a matter of urgency before it is too late.

Chester Zoo's statement on Facebook today 03/06/2020

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158419917340912&id=56676235911