UK zoos & lockdown going forward...

There are MPs again calling for a more accessible fund being created, covered on BBC news at the minute, so I imagine there might be a piece on the website soon.
 
Panthera1981 said:
Not that Amazon need anymore money but I’ve found typing “smile” before the .co.uk web address means that they will make a donation to a chosen charity with any purchase made. ZSL happens to be one of the charities they’ll support.
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If you sign up for Give as you Live, some zoos are registered there and can receive donations in a similar way to Amazon smile, but with a much wider variety of shops.
 
End of the lockdown - when can we go back to the zoo? Colchester have announced re-opening on December 2; Paignton have yet to decide.
 
I don't know the official approach, but I heard on Sky news that entertainment venues will not be allowed open in tier three areas. Are zoos being lumped into that sector?
 
littleRedPanda said:
I don't know the official approach, but I heard on Sky news that entertainment venues will not be allowed open in tier three areas. Are zoos being lumped into that sector?
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The version I read specified indoor entertainment venues - if that's right then at least the outdoor bits of zoos should be OK. The context of it was more about cinemas, bingo halls etc so whether it would apply to things like aquariums and museums was unclear, though.
 
littleRedPanda said:
I don't know the official approach, but I heard on Sky news that entertainment venues will not be allowed open in tier three areas. Are zoos being lumped into that sector?
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They appear to have gone back to the March/April situation and this time have not mentioned zoos at at all (yet?). Entertainment appears to be split off from leisure this time too, and of course in tier 3 it makes little difference as there is a travel ban - so we will be back to zoos being allowed to be open (possibly) but no-one can travel to them.

In our case, if zoos are not specifically required to close, Hamerton will re-open and stay open as long as is permitted. In Cambridgeshire we have been in the lowest tier, so could have been open all through what has been a very mild November. Now the local cases are building, we are in the bizarre position of being allowed to open again... Only in the UK...!

On December 3rd we will open with a reduced daily cap, and at Hamerton face masks will have to be worn at all times on site, indoors and outdoors - as the danger to our staff now appears to be higher than it has been throughout the pandemic. Walk-through aviaries, waterfowl enclosures etc will of course have to be closed due to country-wide bird-flu restrictions - but we hope that having the Cuscus, Echidnas and a Ring-tail Possum on show will ease the disappointment a little, and compensate for not being able to see the Wombats and Budgies, albeit temporarily. At Hamerton face masks will have to be worn at all times on site, indoors and outdoors.

Unless of course it is all different on Thursday.... we are waiting until then to re-open our on-line ticket sales.
 
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Andrew Swales said:
but we hope that having the Cuscus, Echidnas and a Ring-tail Possum on show will ease the disappointment a little, and compensate for not being able to see the Wombats and Budgies, albeit temporarily.
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It most definitely does, hopefully I'll be able to reschedule my cancelled visit before Christmas as well.
 
Andrew Swales said:
and a Ring-tail Possum on show will ease the disappointment a little,
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This will certainly be something to look forward to when I next get down - although I suspect in my case it won't be until after the New Year.
 
Themonkeyguy1 said:
And me, was waiting for the echidna announcement before planning a visit. :p
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Indoor housing only for the moment, but all with viewing windows. Indoor re-fit for Possum(s)/Echidnas is done, just needs furnishing. We've been working on paths, drains and new aviary foundations (plus an extension to the main coffee-shop kitchen) during lock-down so should have access to the Cuscus done next week. Leaving them till last as they have a joey, just starting to look out of the pouch. I am sure the moves will be on social media as they happen, along with an important departure today...
 
Andrew Swales said:
should have access to the Cuscus done next week. Leaving them till last as they have a joey, just starting to look out of the pouch.
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Another spot of good news then - I think the species has bred a couple of times at Cotswold and Twycross, so not a UK first, but a nice achievement nonetheless :)
 
Tim May said:
Just to confirm, is this the New Guinea ground cuscus you're referring to? If so, the UK first breeding was at Blackpool.
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That is indeed the species in question :) I'd completely forgotten Blackpool had them, so thanks for the reminder!
 
Paignton is re-opening on 3 December. Booking starts just after midday tomorrow 27 November.
 
Booked whipsnade today for the 4th December,easy to get tickets 2 members and one paying. Can't wait to get back there.
 
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