That is undoubtedly true!
'Help' For Zoos in the UK
- Thread starter Andrew Swales
- Start date
That is undoubtedly true!
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
It is not just the lack of support, but this 'Zoo Fund' to assist the re-homing of animals from 'failing' zoos seems specifically designed to speed up closures, which is not the response some of the lobbyists were pushing for. We do know that DEFRA have been working closely with BIAZA, they say this themselves - so it could be a joint plan to force out some of the rest of us.
DEFRA say exactly that, just a couple of paragraphs away from their comments about zoos not been told to close - again a total contradiction.
Edit - another couple more contradictions which I forgot above:
As Shorts says and our insurers confirm, pandemics are outside the scope of the insurance industry and negate all policies - but DEFRA says we should claim on our insurance!
DEFRA also says we should contact the National Lottery who have huge sums to invest to help. Of course when we do, their millions are only for registered charities, and further they have frozen all new applications and all their huge new funding will only be used for bailing out those 'good causes' they have supported before!
Last edited:
Is exactly the reason why zoos should be closed - they can’t be seen to be encouraging visits during lock down (and wouldn’t want to for the safety of their teams, animals and visitors) and people defying the lockdown to travel distances to visit risks the spread of this virus and ongoing lockdown. #staysafe
And I will be visiting h
Thanks for the lecture, we are all obviously aware of that
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
You might think they should - we might think they should - but if you read the above quote from the Government, they don't think they should, or maybe they do, or don't, or do...
So - all our losses are our own fault - apparently.
Now, they are colluding to close some, so others can receive their animals - just hope your favourite is not on the wrong list!
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
Just heard this morning that driving into the country for exercise is now permitted - provided the exercise takes longer than the drive.
Combined with yesterdays news, could this be the start of a 'soft' opening? Most of our visitors stay a couple of hours, so that opens up say an hour and a half radius - we can live with that!
Combined with yesterdays news, could this be the start of a 'soft' opening? Most of our visitors stay a couple of hours, so that opens up say an hour and a half radius - we can live with that!
That news about driving for exercise was released in a 'clarification' of guidance rules last week. However its still up to the police to determine what is deemed as a 'reasonable excuse' to be out and about- they may not interpret people driving distances of more than a few miles to visit a zoo as an 'essential' journey, in the same way as going for a walk in nearby countryside might be seen.
Bad news for me then as out of four collections I would say I am deeply attached to, only one is a BIAZA collection! (Yes, Hamerton is one of my favourites, and long may it continue!)
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
We are trying to find out what the word 'severe' means, as DEFRA have given us just a week to complete their questionnaire about 'severe financial stress', and they will not tell us.
So after seeking professional opinion, we have the following reply from our accountants this morning, I quote -
'The word severe has been used repeatedly in a number of covid instructions but despite the ICAEW requesting a definition it hasn't been given'.
BIAZA have been involved in the negotiations - could someone with contacts, ask them?
So after seeking professional opinion, we have the following reply from our accountants this morning, I quote -
'The word severe has been used repeatedly in a number of covid instructions but despite the ICAEW requesting a definition it hasn't been given'.
BIAZA have been involved in the negotiations - could someone with contacts, ask them?
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
I heard a business owner ask the same question of an 'expert' on a radio 5 live (?) phone in and got the impression that being shut down due to a pandemic covered it.
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
Oh dear - the next question then is what does 'shut down' mean?
Did he mean their income stream has been shut down, or the business closed? Zoos have had their income shut down, but the Government says they have not been closed and are able to remain open...
Last edited:
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
I've just flicked through a couple of Emma Barnetts podcasts, as I'm sure it would have been on her show, but I can't pinpoint the question. I would have thought it referred to the income being stopped, but can't be certain. All extremely frustrating for you I am sure 
An article on Huffington Post which may be of some interest, but does little to clarify the situation: https://www.aol.co.uk/news/2020/04/...may-have-to-euthanise-animals-as-last-resort/
I'd not personally heard of the Fenn Bell Conservation Project before, and I highly doubt they have coyotes - coatis presumably? Jounalism at its best! I'm not sure that advising the public they have a list of which animals will be euthanised first due to lack of funds is the best way to endear themselves to potential supporters - practical it may be, but warm-hearted it certainly isn't!
Oh and whoever decided to include the views of anyone from Born Free in a zoo article deserves a smack!
I'd not personally heard of the Fenn Bell Conservation Project before, and I highly doubt they have coyotes - coatis presumably? Jounalism at its best! I'm not sure that advising the public they have a list of which animals will be euthanised first due to lack of funds is the best way to endear themselves to potential supporters - practical it may be, but warm-hearted it certainly isn't!
Oh and whoever decided to include the views of anyone from Born Free in a zoo article deserves a smack!
It is a cynical response by DEFRA and one that is seriously lacking in the Govt. own accountability. This alone should and will lead to judicial action, if nothing else ..., like political moves by MP's to correct a Ministry and ministerial department in failing to work on behalf of the UK's zoos - and all other educational facilities -.
DEFRA seem to take government responsibilities for animal welfare also not so seriously! And the quote that zoos have not been forced to close - on the evidence of a communique distributed 21/04/2020 - is beyond the ridiculous, incredulous and bizarre.
In all absolutely beyond the pale.
Just spoted this on gov. Taken from a defra blog
Support for zoos during coronavirus pandemic - Defra in the media
arcording to this zoos are unable to open
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
littleRedPanda
Well-Known Member
First paragraph.
"This includes a commitment from the government to make an emergency fund available to zoos to help them meet their expenses whilst they are unable to open to the public."
"This includes a commitment from the government to make an emergency fund available to zoos to help them meet their expenses whilst they are unable to open to the public."
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
Thanks LRP, still doesn't show on mine for some reason.
So - to the public =
"This includes a commitment from the government to make an emergency fund available to zoos to help them meet their expenses whilst they are unable to open to the public."
But - to zoo operators =
"The government has published guidance specifying which businesses and venues must close.
At present, zoos are not on the list of businesses and venues that have been ordered to close.
If you choose to remain open,
it is important to ensure that social distancing is effectively implemented and monitored for both staff and visitors."
So - to the public =
"This includes a commitment from the government to make an emergency fund available to zoos to help them meet their expenses whilst they are unable to open to the public."
But - to zoo operators =
"The government has published guidance specifying which businesses and venues must close.
At present, zoos are not on the list of businesses and venues that have been ordered to close.
If you choose to remain open,
it is important to ensure that social distancing is effectively implemented and monitored for both staff and visitors."
If you went on google.co.uk and type in deframedia.blog.gov.uk it will be the first result that comes back click on this it’s the second artical on the next page, other wise here is the artical cut and paste,
There has been positive coverage in iNews and Sky News Online of the support available for zoos during the coronavirus pandemic. This includes a commitment from the government to make an emergency fund available to zoos to help them meet their expenses whilst they are unable to open to the public.
The social distancing guidance, urging people to stay at home and save lives, has meant that many businesses have had to close temporarily for the safety of their staff and customers.
Further detail on the Zoo Support Fund and the application process will follow in due course.
The First Secretary of State announced a new Zoos Support Fund, which will be launched and opened soon, at Prime Ministers Questions yesterday (22 April). He said:
We’ve got to look after zoos and all of the incredible animals they put on display for all of us. I’m very pleased to be able to announce that as a result of our engagement and our consultation we can announce a new Zoos Support Fund which will be launched and opened soon.
It will be able to provide dedicated support alongside that already made available by the Treasury to help zoos care for their animals during this crisis. I urge zoos concerned to look at the range of financial support already available but also to make contact with Defra officials so we can see how it can be best tailored for them.
Zoos are eligible to apply for a range of support schemes including business rates relief, the business interruption loan scheme, and the job retention scheme. This is additional to other available relief such as VAT deferral.