Blackbrook Zoo (Closed) Blackbrook in Financial Trouble
- Thread starter Indlovu
- Start date
Doesn't the article describe 90% of British zoological attractions?
The lack of government funding is a shame, as there are many American zoos and aquariums that receive between 30-40% of their annual operating budget via local taxpayers. The millions of dollars given to those establishments helps them conduct the day-to-day management of the parks as well as open multi-million dollar exhibits every few years. I seriously wonder how small British wildlife parks even remain open!
I have several maps of Blackbrook and from what I've read and seen it appears to be a fairly specialized park that is also a moderately popular attraction. However, how many visitors is there annually? I suspect not many, and the article mentions "we now face certain closure" which sounds rather ominous. I sincerely hope that it remains open, but not at the expense of the management of the facility. The all-powerful AZA in North America just took away accreditation from Zoo Montana because that institution did not have a solid long-range financial future...and Blackbrook would more than likely also be regulated in that way if it was in the United States. Not having AZA accreditation is ruthless when it comes to being able to transfer animals or maintain certain species in the collection that are on loan from other zoos.
The lack of government funding is a shame, as there are many American zoos and aquariums that receive between 30-40% of their annual operating budget via local taxpayers. The millions of dollars given to those establishments helps them conduct the day-to-day management of the parks as well as open multi-million dollar exhibits every few years. I seriously wonder how small British wildlife parks even remain open! I have several maps of Blackbrook and from what I've read and seen it appears to be a fairly specialized park that is also a moderately popular attraction. However, how many visitors is there annually? I suspect not many, and the article mentions "we now face certain closure" which sounds rather ominous. I sincerely hope that it remains open, but not at the expense of the management of the facility. The all-powerful AZA in North America just took away accreditation from Zoo Montana because that institution did not have a solid long-range financial future...and Blackbrook would more than likely also be regulated in that way if it was in the United States. Not having AZA accreditation is ruthless when it comes to being able to transfer animals or maintain certain species in the collection that are on loan from other zoos.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
I'm not really surprised about,this many of the regular visitors to this superb little collection,have known that the place has had major financial problems for well over 12 months.I personnal hope they pull through this problem,as they probably have the best people in charge of the collection,which is more than can be said over the last 5 years or so of the collections history!
I'd heard rumblings, but am surprised that article says that, "the past 12 months have affected us massively with limited funds available to our charity" as it's seemed far busier during my more recent visits than in previous years -I thought/hoped things were improving.
Top marks to Barclays with their generous offer.
Top marks to Barclays with their generous offer.
Here is the video of the news item on BBC Midlands today on Tuesday.
BBC News - Staffordshire's Blackbrook Zoo struggles to stay afloat
BBC News - Staffordshire's Blackbrook Zoo struggles to stay afloat