Carrie Symonds hired by Aspinall Foundation

[Gavialis]

The Sunday Telegraph is reporting that Carrie Symonds, the current Prime Minister's girlfriend, has just been appointed head of communications at the Aspinall Foundation.

In light of rumours of an anti-zoo agenda in some parts of the British government, I found this quote from Ms. Symonds particularly interesting (and, perhaps, a tad worrying too):

"It's so easy to see how much happier the animals are at Howletts than the animals you see at zoos. Howletts is all about halting the extinction of animals and returning them back to the wild. No frills, no entertainment. Everything is done for the benefit of animals, not of tourists."

Ah well - at least she can have the satisfaction of working at Port Lympne Reserve and Hotel (with its critically endangered meerkats, coatis and capybara), rather than one of those nasty, commercial zoos!

Full article below:

Revealed: Carrie Symonds answers call of the wild in new charity role

 

[TeaLovingDave]

And to think, some of the members of the community here suggested we were being overly cynical to suggest there was a possible anti-zoo agenda in the government

 

[TinoPup]

And to think, some of the members of the community here suggested we were being overly cynical to suggest there was a possible anti-zoo agenda in the government

Anti-zoo agenda at a certain foundation, too

 

[Zia]

Ah well - at least she can have the satisfaction of working at Port Lympne Reserve and Hotel (with its critically endangered meerkats, coatis and capybara), rather than one of those nasty, commercial zoos!

Don't forget the all golf buggies racing round the place - for the benefit of the animals obviously.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

 

[Panthera1981]

"No frills, no entertainment. Everything is done for the benefit of animals, not of tourists."

Errrr...the hotel, the lodges, the glamping? Ok Carrie, maybe you should ask Damian about his establishments questionable safety record as well!

Damian’s probably rubbing his hands with this one-an even wider means in which to spout his opinions. Boris on speed-dial no doubt. God help us all!

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

This latest move does make me wonder whether Carrie may be paying a visit to zoochat at some point.

 

[Fallax]

This latest move does make me wonder whether Carrie may be paying a visit to zoochat at some point.

Would be quite interesting but honestly I hope not, Damian got pretty tiring after a bit.

All I hope is that as long as the current government is in, her "influence" doesn't get any anti-zoo legislation in.

 

[Rayane]

Damian was tiring but also brought up some very true points sometimes. She probably wouldn't given her very smart statement.

 

[Andrew Swales]

Not to take any side, but it could be pointed out that the current administration enjoys the largest majority (and therefore mandate) of any recent UK Government and are in power as result of a very old and tested democratic process.
With regard to any possible anti-zoo sympathies at the core of the Government, I certainly dont remember that being included in any manifesto - and there is no evidence of wide-spread anti-zoo feeling by the electorate, quite the opposite in fact given the widespread outpouring of sympathy, support and financial help during Covid. Even most of the media have been generally supportive, and not critical of some of the more dramatic claims which we have heard.

 

[dinosauria]

I fully agree. While zoos are very important and I do not support Aspinall, this site generally seems to believe that every time someone important says something anti-zoo, that higher-ups are universally against zoos or that governments have anti-zoo biases. Zoos are nevertheless getting high amounts of positive publicity on social media with videos of animal birthday celebrations and new arrivals, and many people are donating to these zoos during these tough times.

 

[Andrew Swales]

I fully agree. While zoos are very important and I do not support Aspinall, this site generally seems to believe that every time someone important says something anti-zoo, that higher-ups are universally against zoos or that governments have anti-zoo biases. Zoos are nevertheless getting high amounts of positive publicity on social media with videos of animal birthday celebrations and new arrivals, and many people are donating to these zoos during these tough times.

That is not quite what I said. I said that I was not going to side with either side of the above mentioned political comments, and that I did not remember any mention of anti-zoo sentiment in any election manifesto. If it wasnt included then there is no evidence of the large mandate the Government enjoys, covering this area. Given the way the last round of 'ZooFund' subsidies being structured towards failing zoos which had to prove only 3 months of future existence (effectively ruling all of them out), there is certainly no evidence of the UK Government being pro-zoo in the way the Czechs, Germans, French and Australian Governments (for example) have been, and are.
Your comments about people 'donating to these zoos during these tough times' should be tempered with a degree of past tense, as in our case at least, such donations have long-since all but dried up.

 

[dinosauria]

I see. Thanks for the clarification and info (didn't know that zoo donations were dwindling that quickly).

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I see. Thanks for the clarification and info (didn't know that zoo donations were dwindling that quickly).

I believe, from statements made by Andrew and other things I've heard on the grapevine regarding other UK collections, that donations have become rather patchier since the much-publicised "Zoo Fund" was rolled out; one would assume that this is because the general public assumes that now the fund is in place, zoos are being "looked after" and the extra donations are no longer needed.

 

[Zia]

Your comments about people 'donating to these zoos during these tough times' should be tempered with a degree of past tense, as in our case at least, such donations have long-since all but dried up.

It may be worth updating your Amazon wishlist @Andrew Swales - I was looking at it earlier and a lot of what would be the more affordable options are either out of stock or it says you have the amount required already. I know ppl could just donate money instead but I do think most prefer to feel they are donating a specific 'thing' iyswim. I might be wrong but can't hurt to have lots of options available for anyone who is looking at it.

 

[Cat-Man]

And to think, some of the members of the community here suggested we were being overly cynical to suggest there was a possible anti-zoo agenda in the government

This is the first time I’ve heard this. Could you elaborate?

 

[Gigit]

I believe, from statements made by Andrew and other things I've heard on the grapevine regarding other UK collections, that donations have become rather patchier since the much-publicised "Zoo Fund" was rolled out; one would assume that this is because the general public assumes that now the fund is in place, zoos are being "looked after" and the extra donations are no longer needed.

Possibly an element of 'donation fatigue' too.

 

[Andrew Swales]

Possibly an element of 'donation fatigue' too.

I think 'probably' and not 'possibly'..!
There have been so many demands on peoples goodwill and limited resources.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

This is the first time I’ve heard this. Could you elaborate?

Last year there were a fair few heated debates about the government response to the pandemic with regards to zoological collections (particularly the fact that during the first lockdown, they were technically never told they had to close down and therefore were not eligible for support to cover financial loss due to mandatory closure) and whether or not this was coincidental, or a deliberate omission on the part of the government due to anti-zoo sentiment.

The moderation team had to clean up a few threads as a result

 

[Tau]

In all honesty I think talk of an Anti Zoo agenda in government is mostly hype and guided by our passion for zoos and wildlife. I don't think Boris and his chums have been discussing their dislike for them in number 10, I think it is the complete opposite in that talk has probably been minimal. They have been too busy dealing with other (Dare I say more important) issues so I would say it is more of a misjudgment and possible ignorance on how zoos operate that is the problem. Or are we to believe that there is an anti musical theatre agenda too?

Yes zoos are important, but in the scale of the pandemic are we more important than any other industry in which people's jobs and livelihoods and families depend putting our passions aside? These problems go well beyond zoos. And just in wildlife circles alone, what about independent wildlife conservation projects?

Many zoos did receive funds from the first wave of zoo fund investment and many small zoos appear to be cracking on with development still. I'm not saying there is nothing to complain about but I think maybe it's time to consider how zoos are being run and what their money is being spent on. Not that I am at all anti zoo but it is interesting to see those collections that are quietly pointing people towards ways to support them if they are asking to and those begging in the newspapers every week and social media every day.