Probably so, seeing as their arguments that they are helping zoos and that things have to be safe have already been proven as nonsense by Chester's statement yesterday!
UK zoos & lockdown going forward...
- Thread starter TriUK
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Probably so, seeing as their arguments that they are helping zoos and that things have to be safe have already been proven as nonsense by Chester's statement yesterday!
I certainly do think there’s an element to that. ZSL’s statement had nowhere near as significant an impact as Chester’s is currently having and it seems by keeping their powder dryer for longer (not their choice I’d imagine) they’re now reaping the benefits. But this also demonstrates the strength of good PR-Chester have gone in hard with an emotional punch to the gut. If one re-reads ZSL’s statement, it does come across somewhat stuffy and bloated.
Again unfortunately I think this does confirm, if we didn’t suspect it already, how far ZSL (London in particular) has fallen away in the national psyche.
I have no particular insight but I suspect the timing was carefully thought through. Probably a response to the change in policy announced a few days ago, but in the planning for some time I suspect.
Incidentally I understand that the Leader of Cheshire West & Chester Council spoke to Ministers by phone today.
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
No it isn't.
For some of us, this is real life, with real decisions to make every day based on real facts and real choices.
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
This is pretty much the email we received last Sunday from DEFRA. The last paragraph is standard stuff.
The one thing that stands out continuously is why NO-ONE will ask where the other £86m has gone?
£100m support for zoos was announced in Parliament when Boris was off sick.
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
A petition which appears to be gaining some momentum, is this one
Petition: Provide financial help to zoos, aquariums, & rescue centres during the pandemic.
which is not just another 'Save Chester Zoo' one, but appears to support us all...
Petition: Provide financial help to zoos, aquariums, & rescue centres during the pandemic.
which is not just another 'Save Chester Zoo' one, but appears to support us all...
My comment is still waiting approval, but at the bottom of the DEFRA statement, an opportunity to respond is provided - I encourage anyone to leave a message, encouraging DEFRA to re-evaluate their stance on zoo closure 
Chester Zoo and coronavirus - Defra in the media
Chester Zoo and coronavirus - Defra in the media
BIAZA have announced they have secured a parliamentary debate on the subject of the zoo crisis, set for 11th June
#YourZoosNeedYou ! | Biaza
#YourZoosNeedYou ! | Biaza
I have emailed my MP Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 committee. He has already replied confirming his support.
Having just received the latest Fellowship correspondence, it would appear ZSL are doing their own thing along similar lines by asking to email MPs local to the two zoos-quite a Rogues Gallery tbh! They also share a link to BIAZA.
So what can I do if my mp is in a different area? Can I just send it to sir Keir and Johnson?
There are no zoos in my mp's constituency!
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Might be worth emailing your own MP anyway, this is what I have done. Since the issue is now getting a parliamentary debate then the more MPs we can have backing us on this issue the better, whether your local constituency has a zoological collection or not. The email I have sent is in relation to zoological collections in general and is not just restricted to the local zoos, though it seems my local MP is backing certainly Chester to reopen.
Save Our Zoo: Cheshire West MPs write to Government calling on them to reverse "illogical" Chester Zoo closure decision
Save Our Zoo: Cheshire West MPs write to Government calling on them to reverse "illogical" Chester Zoo closure decision
OK, will do!
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
The Parliamentary system means that an MP cannot get involved in constituency matters for another constituency - so if there is no zoo locally, please write to your own MP about the general concept. If you write to him about specific matters in a zoo in another MP's constituency, will be forced to ignore it.
Does anyone have the text for the BIAZA template letter they could pm to me please? The file won't open on my OS. Thanks!
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
Here it is:
The below can be used to contact your local Member of Parliament and urge them to take part in the adjournment debate ‘reopening zoos and aquariums’ debate taking place Thursday 11th June. Please feel free to include your reasons you believe the MP should support this debate. This might include your support for conservation work or the excellent experience you have had at a zoo or aquarium.
We need your support more than ever.
If you are unsure who your Member of Parliament is or of their contact details, click here to find out.
<MP Name and Address>
<04 June 2020>
Dear <Name>,
Urgent support for <Insert zoo/aquarium> - Adjournment debate
As our local constituency Member of Parliament, I am writing to urge you to attend the adjournment debate on Thursday 11 June, about the need to support zoos and aquariums in lockdown.
It is inexplicable that while other outdoor attractions are able to open, including entirely unregulated beaches and parks and even non-essential indoor retail areas, our centres of wildlife conservation cannot accept admissions.
While I respect the need to carefully fight the spread of coronavirus, many zoos and safari parks are well prepared to reopen with excellent safety measures in place. As tightly controlled outdoor spaces, accepting admissions could alleviate the overuse of other spaces.
While lockdown has effectively reduced the income of zoos and aquariums to nothing, they must continue to meet the costs required to maintain animal care and welfare. This means zoos and aquariums have been among the very hardest hit by lockdown.
BIAZA, the association of zoos and aquariums, point out the essential conservation work normally delivered by its’ members, this includes:
· £31.5 million spent directly on conservation
· Breeding programs to safeguard the future of beloved animals such as chimpanzees, tigers and rhino.
· Delivery of field conservation in 105 different countries – covering every continent
· Support and reintroduction programs for UK native species including the Scottish wild cat and white stork!
Nature is in crisis. International bodies have pointed it that it is the over exploitation of nature that has led to the coronavirus pandemic. We must right this wrong and to do that we must support zoos, aquariums and safari parks by giving them a fighting chance.
Yours sincerely
<insert name>
<insert address>
PS - I still think there could be an issue with this as it stands. If you insert the name of a specific zoo in the first box, which is not in your MP's constituency, he will be forced to ignore it as he is not allowed to intervene in other MP's constituency matters. MY advice would be that you send the letter, but you also send a pretty much identical second one edited to refer to all zoos and the concept.
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Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
I have just had this email bounce in to my in-box, which is one local response to the BIAZA approach. I've deleted the names, but post it here otherwise un-edited, in case it helps:
Andrew
A little tip from an ex District Councillor:
When you receive a lot of mail in your mailbox that is obviously a template, one hundred emails have the effect of only one or two emails.
In fact I used to find it aggravating when it happened to me.
It is much more compelling when the emails are individually written in the words of the sender, that way xxxxxxxx will read five to ten of them to get a few different perspectives, and then decide his response.
I think there is a strong probability that he will listen to a simple argument using no more than 5 bullet points if at all possible.
Kindest regards
xxx