I am not sure what you would all be so afraid of? Education is on the national curriculum, so what is wrong with receiving subsidised payments by administration and local government for managing and running a zoo.
What is happening now is just that a totally disengaged government uncaring of any added value to society at large (and in complete reverse to what the general public might wish for), which I think zoos, aquaria, museums and visitor centers et cetera are putting value to society thru its various roles, be that conservation, be that education or public awareness or just recreational enjoyment.
And look where this all got you and zoos in the country right now. Quite a few are in dire straits and I am not pretending that it would be any otherwise in the rest of the cultural/educational sector with museums and the like..
Further, quite a few Continental countries do recognise the vital role of zoos within society and are more or less fully subsidised by local or provincial government. No shame in that.
What is happening now is just that a totally disengaged government uncaring of any added value to society at large (and in complete reverse to what the general public might wish for), which I think zoos, aquaria, museums and visitor centers et cetera are putting value to society thru its various roles, be that conservation, be that education or public awareness or just recreational enjoyment.
And look where this all got you and zoos in the country right now. Quite a few are in dire straits and I am not pretending that it would be any otherwise in the rest of the cultural/educational sector with museums and the like..
Further, quite a few Continental countries do recognise the vital role of zoos within society and are more or less fully subsidised by local or provincial government. No shame in that.