Surely it must be a blanket decision, if Chester is allowed to re-open, then they all will be, even if the Chester situation and publicity is the catalyst..
UK zoos & lockdown going forward...
- Thread starter TriUK
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Surely it must be a blanket decision, if Chester is allowed to re-open, then they all will be, even if the Chester situation and publicity is the catalyst..
It's bought into the spotlight, and it was mentioned in this morning's
programme that ALL zoos are facing the same problems
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
No. There appears to be no 'blanket' decision. The opening of West Lodge Farm Park already and the Wildfowl Trusts next week are 'site-specific-permissions' given for these individual operators. This has been confirmed this morning.
Has any reason been given for 'site-specific permission'? If these permissions are being given there are countless zoos that could open just as safely as WWT!
Every business needs a PR function. Doesn't need to be a specific department - but somebody within the organisation needs to be thinking about it consistently. My personal view is that Chester may have played a blinder here from which other collections may well benefit.
It may be that, rather than announce what might be seen as a U-turn, the government will announce that zoos can reopen on a site-specific basis subject to their securing "Covid Certification" (a term they use without any clear definition) to be administered - presumably - by the relevant local Zoo Licensing/ Environmental Health/ Public Health authority.
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
Well it's all speculation really isn't it?
Given this shambles of a government little else is possible.
That's wonderful. I was worried that everything might be all about Chester's plight - even a little nod to the fact that all are in the same boat is very pleasing. Although Chester Zoo are no doubt looking after their own interests, their excellent PR campaign may well prove crucial in saving countless zoos... well I hope so anyway!
Re: the earlier suggestion that Chester's media have done far better than London's, dare I suggest that far more of the public care more about Chester Zoo than London Zoo? Whilst most of us probably have a soft spot for London Zoo, a lot of it is probably to do with nostalgia and I suspect that, where it not in the capital city, it may well have vanished by now. If the UK has a national zoo then all this suggests that it is surely Chester!
taun
Well-Known Member
I think they have here, Twycross have copied the style of the release as it is powerful. They have now raised £1m in just over 24hrs. (does that inclusde gift aid?)
I would think that the SLOTZ tv show also means that Chester will have a larger number of interested parties who feel invested even if they do not visit the zoo regularly.
Other collections would do well to lcomment on and retweet / reshare the Chester statements. Smaller collections will simply not have the same level of impact and showing support and agreement with Chester is a good way to communicate their own situation to a wider audience.
I think London’s plea for help was a few weeks ago? The persuasive force in Chester’s pitch is calling out the apparent double-standard where equivalent or riskier activities are being allowed.
I think all zoos would be well advised to echo Chester’s tone as closely as possible.
taun
Well-Known Member
Twycross have done this today, I think all zoos should do the same.
DEFRA have responded to Chester Zoo's plight with this absolute drivel:
Chester Zoo and coronavirus - Defra in the media
Chester Zoo and coronavirus - Defra in the media
What a load of hand-wringing and blame shifting crap!
Reads to me like a holding response, just repeating what they've been saying for days.
Still think there may be an "adjustment" pending.
Crappy response. One has to wonder what they gain from keeping them closed.