I think this run of crises and closures does illustrate a point I have made before.
Some of the smaller collections which are not financially viable may be better off merging to create fewer, stronger, collections which can use their budgets more effectively not only for animal husbandry, but for their own marketing.
I mean, if you are in a seaside location and only busy in the summer, why not merge with somewhere else close by, and sell off un-needed property, and have a more healthy revenue source year round as you can offer better facilities, be it animal experiences or even rainy day things like exhibitions and dinosaurs and lego?
I know it isn't for every one, and a lot of people want to do things 'their way', and that is to be lauded in the most part, but I'd rather see this happen than people lose jobs or animals be destroyed.
It might then mean larger collections with more 'clout' can get imports more quickly, such as in the past when large numbers were imported and dispersed directly from the country of origin.
Jersey does seem to have slipped over the years since GD died, and maybe if the animals were moved to somewhere like Marwell, where GD and JK had close ties back in the day, the historical nature of both could be preserved, the teaching of conservation staff could continue on a new campus (tie it up to Winchester or Southampton Uni) and the future could be more assured?
IMO, of course....
️ Our first white-faced whistling ducklings in 12 years!
