Not that it would make much difference but are any of the Whitley family still involved with Paignton, or previous owners still involved with Newquay?
UK zoos & lockdown going forward...
- Thread starter TriUK
- Start date
I agree on this, it is clearly poor planning. Those zoos who got organised for re-opening will probably have a better than usual month leading up to the school holidays as people are flocking to zoos post lockdown (many are selling out even on weekdays with most children still off school).
I was at Howletts yesterday (hangs head in shame) and it was probably the busiest I have seen it in 10 visits over 13 years (including the summer holidays!).
There also appeared to be a number of staff without uniforms who I assumed were probably volunteers. Have Paignton appealed to their supporters to volunteer and get the zoo open? I can't recall seeing anything regarding this
No one will be taking holidays abroad this summer and English coastal resorts will be packed with day trippers, I think the white flag is being raised a little early in Devon & Cornwall!
I believe so, but it’s been an incredibly underwhelming one. Certainly not a Chester-type response.
On the subject of reopen zoo’s, Whipsnade was heaving on Tuesday. Decided against taking the car in as the queue went all the way down into Kensworth village! Some social distance measures in place (cheetah, lions, penguins) but the site’s so huge it doesn’t need to worry too much.
Heaps of locals have offered to volunteer to get the site ready. The stock template response was that any new volunteers would have to attend in-house staff training & that there were not the resources to organise this. If I was Simon Tongue or a zoo director/curator at PZ right now I’d be working 24/7 in overalls on my hands & knees to get the place ready - I’m not suggesting he & his team are not, but you do what it takes right!
Agreed! And what training do people really need to put up social distancing signs, monitor queues etc, seems like another excuse to me!
I think this sums up where the misinterpretation of dishonesty comes from:
“You say you’re in trouble, so we’re here to help. Yet, when we offer, you say x,y and z need to happen before we can! So what exactly do you want?!?!?“
Gigit
Well-Known Member
Negativity breeds negativity. As PZ supporters, the zoo is almost the sole topic of conversation at Gigit Towers currently. We've donated since all this started as well as signing petitions and writing to the local MP, but now don't feel inclined to make any further donations until they confirm that they are re-opening. Cutting off our noses to spite our faces maybe
The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden now in trouble and asking for donations as they’ve had to move one of their major revenue sources (open days) to 2021.
In these days of risk management and such-like such training is wise. (I've recently been involved in setting up arrangements during lockdown for volunteer support. And realised the pitfalls around using volunteers handling money, medicines etc. Realise those specifics don't arise in a zoo but other issues will.)
David Attenborough has stepped up as the face of the ZSL rescue fundraiser
David Attenborough steps in to save London Zoo from extinction | News | The Sunday Times
David Attenborough steps in to save London Zoo from extinction | News | The Sunday Times
At last, I do hope his name brand will help both ZSL and the zoo sector in the UK to get the support and public funding they need at this 12 minutes past 12 deadline moment.
Andrew Swales
Well-Known Member
Good! - and better late than never..!
Just London (ZSL) though? - he has worked with many other zoos too.
Hoping this will help them out a fair bit, but I'm still concerned.
I think ZSL may have a particular issue because the impression I have (and I may be wrong) is that it has a higher proportion of overseas visitors than other UK collections.
Considering the global position of London, this wouldn't be surprising.
As a regular visitor, I would concur with this. For sure, they have a regular membership base, especially out at Whipsnade with the nearby towns of Luton and Dunstable, but at the London site visitation does feel like it has a higher percentage of international tourists.