UK zoos & lockdown going forward...

Gigit said:
Here's my reply from Paignton's MP:

Thank you for your email and for taking the time to get in touch.


I have had a number of residents get in touch about the position of Paignton Zoo this week and it is good to see such interest in what is one of the most environmentally focused businesses in our bay.


I am a big fan of Paignton Zoo and have been since first visiting as a child back in the 1980’s. In recent decades Zoos, especially Paignton Zoo, have transformed their role from being a place of entertainment and the chance to see an exotic animal, to being a vital safety net for some of the most endangered species from extinction and an educational resource. The ability to see animals up close and understand their behaviours throughout different seasons is an experience which lives an impression on many, including me as Primary School pupil, which compliments, but cannot be replaced, by the type of wildlife and environmental documentaries we can now see at home on the television.


Since March I have been in touch with Ministers about the plight of Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts given the unique challenge they face. I have also spoken with Simon Tongue of the Wild Planet Trust about the issues facing the sector and Paignton Zoo.We are due to speak again early next week.



Whilst they are still considered part of the tourism sector, Paignton Zoo being the bay’s largest paid for attraction, they operate on a fundamentally different basis to other attractions. They also have a cost structure which cannot be wound down during a period of closure, animal welfare needs must be met, unique environments maintained and staff who simply cannot be furloughed due to the nature of their roles supporting the animals.


I was pleased to note a specific package of support being offered to Zoos, in addition to the furlough and business interruption loans scheme, but am conscious this is not in itself going to support larger Zoos which are at the heart of global conservation efforts. I welcome the efforts being made by my colleague Andrew Rosindell as the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Zoos and Aquariums to highlight this issue and him securing an adjournment debate on it next week.


Whilst I will attempt to attend the debate current rules on social distancing in the chamber and my duties on a Bill Committee that afternoon may prevent me from doing so. For clarity an adjournment debate is a short debate at the end of the sitting day, usually lasting 30 minutes. I appreciate why people may wish to see lots of MPs take part, yet from experience it is better if the debate is focused on a case being put forward by the MP leading it, then allowing them to question in detail the Minister’s reply. This is more likely to produce a result than lots of different contributions and knowing Andrew’s passion for this subject and knowledge of it he will have a range of detailed points to pick up with the Minister


In the meantime I will write again to the Minister responsible for Zoos enquiring what work is being done to both identify suitable support packages and to look towards allowing them to re-open under social distancing rules. Whilst it is right the Government follows scientific and medical advice to ensure the virus is kept under control as more outdoor environments have been allowed to re-open under social distancing rules, including car showrooms, garden centres and outdoor markets the position of Zoos should also be considered. At the very least they could be included in the first wave of tourism businesses to be allowed to re-open if cases continue to fall across the country.


I will copy you into my letter and let you know what response I receive from the minister.
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That seems a very good response.
 
Dave Hill said:
https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/new...zoo-minister-says-government-support-18377055
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So even though its unsafe for the public to visit it (apparently), 'Zoos Minister' Zac Goldsmith has the power to save Chester, and thanks mainly to the BBC it now has £3m extra to see it through in addition whatever Zac is now giving it. So Chester at least will be OK till 4th July.

Farm Parks are open and the Wildfowl Trusts are opening their zoos.

Where does it leave the rest of us...?
 
Just emailed Zac Goldsmith, the "Zoos Minister" at zac@zacgoldsmith.com.

I said

"
Thank you for the help you have arranged for Chester Zoo but I need to point out over 14000 people work in other zoos across the country, most of which will be out of business if the government does not help them as a matter of urgency.

In the main they need to be allowed to open to the public and start their revenue stream flowing again.

Unlike parks and beaches they are ideally suited to controlled public access and through ticket only entry they can limit the number of people on site.

PLEASE ACT NOW!"

Email him if you think it will help.
 
cliffxdavis said:
Just emailed Zac Goldsmith, the "Zoos Minister" at zac@zacgoldsmith.com.

I said

"
Thank you for the help you have arranged for Chester Zoo but I need to point out over 14000 people work in other zoos across the country, most of which will be out of business if the government does not help them as a matter of urgency.

In the main they need to be allowed to open to the public and start their revenue stream flowing again.

Unlike parks and beaches they are ideally suited to controlled public access and through ticket only entry they can limit the number of people on site.

PLEASE ACT NOW!"

Email him if you think it will help.
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Not holding my breath given he's one of the main zoo-antis in the government.....
 
What is a zoo minister? This term has come out this weekend but seems to be made up term.
 
The government do respond to public opinion. The more people asking, the greater the chance of a positive response.
 
taun said:
What is a zoo minister? This term has come out this weekend but seems to be made up term.
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In this case, it's a flashy PR way of saying he is the Minister of State for International Environment, Climate and Forests, and Animal Welfare. He was given a hurried peerage in order to remain eligible for the post after being unseated as an MP at the back end of last year :p and is otherwise primarily known as a close friend of Damien Aspinall and one of the main trustees for the Foundation.
 
TeaLovingDave said:
In this case, it's a flashy PR way of saying he is the Minister of State for International Environment, Climate and Forests, and Animal Welfare. He was given a hurried peerage in order to remain eligible for the post after being unseated as an MP at the back end of last year :p and is otherwise primarily known as a close friend of Damien Aspinall and one of the main trustees for the Foundation.
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I don’t think he’s still a trustee. But that doesn’t make him any the less obnoxious...
 
How would collections cope if we have a second lock-down if the R number goes above 1.0
How would they cope with local lock-downs would it mean some stay open while others are closed.
Would staff be allowed to get paid again by the Government or would the collections themselves have to pay because they were/hopefully open before the second lock-down.

I was just wondering as the R number in a few area's is very close to the 1.0 that triggers a second lock-down
 
AdrianW1963 said:
I was just wondering as the R number in a few area's is very close to the 1.0 that triggers a second lock-down
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This seems to be the case here in the South West.. its very worrying!
 
One thing to bear in mind is that R being a rate of change, it will fluctuate more widely as the absolute number of cases gets smaller. At some point it will cease to be meaningful (certainly over wide areas) - once cases are into very small numbers even a small local outbreak will send R flying (as Germany has seen), but without any actual increase in risk for most of the country or even most of the town it happens in.

This is another of the things the government will need to wean the press and public off at some point to avoid panic when this inevitably happens, so don't be surprised to see R fluctuation being downplayed in favour of the absolute numbers again at some point soon.
 
Andrew Swales said:
He could have supported zoos, but has been silent - and he's not alone...
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This has also surprised me, certainly considering (1) that he has voice and opinion that people will listen to and (2) the important role that zoos play in conservation.

There’s also the argument that some naturalists have close ties to some collections-Chris Packham’s affiliation to Isle of Wight zoo for example. Surely it’s to their own benefit as well?
 
leone said:
who know what the great David Attenborough think about it
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Is this a good time for me to say I don't think he's all that great!?

I can't help but think prominent people like that don't want to endorse zoos too much for fear of backlash, as a lot of people who are interested in wildlife are so strongly anti-zoo.
 
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