UK zoos & lockdown going forward...

Andrew Swales said:
They must be one of the few zoos with their shop accessible from outside the site. Surely this is rare, as in most cases you have to enter the zoo site (ie its licensed land) before you get to the shop, even if you enter/exit the animal part of the zoo itself through the shop.
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I read it as the whole site (including the shop) would remain closed - the wording is a bit ambiguous though so maybe I am wrong.
 
migdog said:
WILD Zoological Park
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That link doesn't work anymore, but I searched on Facebook for WILD Zoological Park and couldn't find anything to suggest they would be opening soon. I suspect they've realised they shouldn't and removed the post, so presumably that place will remain closed as per all other UK zoos.

The saga of West Lodge Farm Park is rather interesting and I'm quite interested to see what happens there!
 
Sand Cat said:
I suspect they've realised they shouldn't and removed the post, so presumably that place will remain closed as per all other UK zoos.
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Indeed they have removed it, I shared the post earlier and it's now got the "This content is no longer available" thing.
 
Sand Cat said:
The saga of West Lodge Farm Park is rather interesting and I'm quite interested to see what happens there!
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One of our staff members has heard from them privately last night. They confirmed that they ARE opening today, as they say their police and local authority have given them permission to do so. Here is a piece from their web-site:
  • However there is still loads to enjoy such as:
  • Viewing all of the farm animals - cows, sheep, pigs, goats and ponies.
  • Viewing the smaller animals, chicks, rabbits and guinea pigs,
  • Viewing the ducks and geese,
  • Acres of beautiful, signed nature trails
  • Clean, regularly sanitised outdoor toilets
  • Clean, regularly sanitised spaced out picnic benches
  • Delicious coffee, cake and icecream from our takeaway
Farm Parks/Attractions do not need Zoo Licences, and so are not under DEFRA control - it is not clear how the BIAZA statement Exmoor published, lumps them in with those that do.

I have written to our MP and the MP for Kettering to ask for clarification.:rolleyes:
 
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TeaLovingDave said:
Incompetence is the likelier option, this is true - but the anti-zoo lobby does have a lot of sway in the upper echelons of government, from what I have heard on the grapevine..... so I wouldn't be surprised if there's a vague mindset of "no great loss, we don't care if zoos close down" in the halls of power if/when the issue occurs to them, even if active conspiracy is unlikely.
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...what if you added the word 'some' between 'if' and 'zoos'...?
TeaLovingDave said:
There is, of course, a good chance that it will come down to who blinks first - a zoo opening and citing the regulations that Wild seem to be using as justification, or the government having to explain why precisely those regulations don't apply to zoos when they do for attractions such as gardens etc and risking the (further) appearance of hypocrisy by shutting the zoo in question down.
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that really does not look very likely...
 
Here is how the director of Twycross put the change of plans:
"Such a rollercoaster weekend.
Planning to re open the zoo and unfurlough staff after putting in place a plethora of measures to be ‘Covid secure’ following government guidelines. And to stem the significant ongoing losses and start to rebuild our contribution to our local economy and people’s well-being (a large open air space with numbers capped and managed).
But then called to an emergency meeting this afternoon to be told that a change of law is coming into force tonight meaning we have to stay closed. Until at least July. Maybe later. Despite our rural location and social distancing and hygiene measures - because they don’t want to create ‘nuances’ for the public to get confused so all zoos are grouped together and merged with aquariums and ‘indoor attractions’.
Despite different risk profiles.
Despite a raft of (non-managed?) gardens, parks, beaches, shops and more shops and water parks being allowed to open.
Where’s the logic? And we have animals to care for!!
So frustrating.
It’s going to be a long year.
Stay safe everyone.
And please support us anyway you can. "
 
I really need to stop reading this thread, because each time I do, it is more bad news again highlighting the hypocrisy of the UK government!
It has been clear for some time that it isn't public safety being considered when deciding what can or can't open. That open air zoos are grouped after enclosed spaces like non essential shops and alongside museums, art galleries and potentially now pubs & restaurants even, is absolutely ridiculous!
It's quite simple, money talks and the economy comes before public safety and wellbeing.
I am getting more frustrated and angry by this situation with each that day goes by and the closure of zoos becomes more likely as a result of government (in) action!
 
Zooplantman said:
- because they don’t want to create ‘nuances’ for the public to get confused "
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West Lodge Farm Park IS open today after being given permission by Kettering Council and Northants Police, so you can - view all of the farm animals, cows, sheep, pigs, goats and ponies - view the smaller animals, chicks, rabbits and guinea pigs - view the ducks and geese
So there is no chance the public can get confused? - you should see our in-box this morning!
 
pipaluk said:
Those in power are obviously not clever enough to realise there is a world of difference safety wise between a zoo and an indoor aquarium! Or as said before, maybe safety isn't the issue!
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I think the people in power are clever. It is something of a greasy pole to get where they are, and although they may not be interested, they are probably very smart...
 
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Hemsley Conservation Centre have released a letter they have written to their MP, outlining their disappointment to the government decision to keep zoos closed. The letter is attached as images to their Facebook post

Hemsley Conservation Centre

And a statement by the zoo:

❗️We are still closed!

Although we hadn't planned to open today, we had visitors arrive in our car park and we had to turn them away, which was gut wrenching.

As of this morning, the Government amended their legislation explicitly stating that zoos are to remain closed, despite restrictions for other outside spaces being lifted today, and non-essential businesses from the 15th June. This is after being told by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), that zoos were never told to close. Ethically though, if we did not close it would have been death by media and public outcry.

Although this legislation has now being enforced, we have yet again raised our concerns and you can view a letter sent to our local constituency member (who has been supportive throughout),by our director, below.

This date is set to be reviewed in two weeks time, and should everything continue as it is currently, we are looking at around the 4th July for re-opening.

Zoos have been constantly mis-guided throughout this time. This letter is in no way trying to rush an opening as we want to open in the safest manner possible, and although we feel that we can do that with the measures and procedures we have put in place, we have never yet set a re-opening date.

For all of you that have supported us this far, we cannot thank you enough, but now we are set with enforced closure for at least another month, we really need your continued support!

The HCC Team.
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Andrew Swales said:
Just checked West Lodge Farm Park's web-site which is live and kicking and they are fully booked for the next two weeks and for every weekend day in June.
West Lodge Rural Centre LTD Tickets, Products, Bundles, Membership Plans, Gift Vouchers - Buy Online
Opening must have gone well..!
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Shame on Johnson & his government, though I wonder how much control he actually has after his ridiculous 20 minute 'stay alert' speech the other week! He may not have written it, but he stood there like a spitting image puppet! It was 20 minutes of virtually nothing!
 
With the directive coming from the government that zoos have to close, can they now claim on insurance? Assuming they have it to cover such a situation.
 
Crowthorne said:
Hemsley Conservation Centre have released a letter they have written to their MP, outlining their disappointment to the government decision to keep zoos closed. The letter is attached as images to their Facebook post

Hemsley Conservation Centre

And a statement by the zoo:
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Much as I love Hemsley, (I was there a2 weeks before lockdown), part of the problem here is that all zoos and aquarium are being treated the same! Hemsley should be bracketed with aquariums, sea life and London or Bristol Zoo!
Open areas like Whipsnade, Marwell, Hamerton, Wild Place, Linton, dare I admit it the Aspinall Parks are far safer than your average supermarket!!
 
taun said:
With the directive coming from the government that zoos have to close, can they now claim on insurance? Assuming they have it to cover such a situation.
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That is an interesting one - and one which we'll check after the next batch of DEFRA questions which are to be tackled tomorrow. Thus far, our insurers (which are probably the industry leaders) confirmed at the outset that our business interruption insurance, which was specifically requested in detail, and offered and accepted - was negated by pandemics, which are not actually included, excluded or mentioned anywhere in the wording.
This apparently is the case for ALL insurance policies.
But - now, as you say, we are in a position where our closure is directly the result of a positive (hic!) Government instruction, rather than 'our decision' to close out of public responsibility, fear of media back-lash, staff safety or any other reason, including the actual pandemic itself.
Yes - interesting....
 
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