UK Zoos online presence - importance during lockdown?

[Zia]

I have been trying to decide which collections to support during this Corona virus lockdown - limited resources mean I just won't be able to give to everyone I would like to - and it got me thinking about how important a strong online presence is at this time.

Obviously what I see is somewhat dictated by who I was already 'following' but I follow many collections and it seems clear that some are really trying their hardest to engage with people online and I assume this will have a positive impact on the support they will receive. Wingham particularly stand out as having a strong social media game plan despite clearly not having an official 'social media team' or being all that tech savvy.

I don't want to put any collections down - I appreciate social media takes a lot of time / effort and not everyone has the resources required - but I would be interested to know who you all think is getting it right at this time and why?

Personally - I find the slightly ratchet but more personal approach of a lot of the smaller collections much more interesting, endearing and engaging than the more polished but generic stuff coming from bigger collections (who I would think do have dedicated social media resources).

 

[Sand Cat]

I love the place anyway but I think The Ark are doing a fantastic job of keeping people informed, as well as thinking of some really creative fundraising ideas rather than simply bringing out the begging bowl.

I'm sure they have a big social media team, but Chester Zoo are doing brilliantly as well - their virtual zoo tours have been a massive hit and its nice to see them featuring a few animals other than the ABCs. The tree kangaroo talk last week was an absolute delight!

 

[Zia]

I love the place anyway but I think The Ark are doing a fantastic job of keeping people informed, as well as thinking of some really creative fundraising ideas rather than simply bringing out the begging bowl.

I'm sure they have a big social media team, but Chester Zoo are doing brilliantly as well - their virtual zoo tours have been a massive hit and its nice to see them featuring a few animals other than the ABCs. The tree kangaroo talk last week was an absolute delight!

What kind of fundraising ideas have they come up with?

That is a good point re Chester - imagine it helps that some of their keepers will be familiar with being on camera too.

 

[Crowthorne]

As soon as I saw this thread, I immediately thought of Wingham. I visited Wingham once, in 2016, and to be honest it didn't appeal to me at all, but in the last few weeks I've really come to look forward to the walks around the grounds by their keeper Markus. He's a charming guide, knows a great deal about the collection, and is very engaging with the live comments. Chester's live days at the zoo have also been great fun to watch along with. Chessington have also given some very interesting behind the scenes talks. (As this is in the UK forum, I'll only mention in passing, but some of the German zoos are also putting out some great content, especially Cologne)

I do wonder if some of the larger zoos, with dedicated digital/social media teams, might be a little handicapped with those teams now working from home, away from the main zoo locations.

 

[nb123]

I’ve been quite impressed with Dartmoor Zoo’s Facebook efforts. They’ve done daily live animal talk and feeds at 2pm during the week answering any questions people have, as well as posting other videos of animals receiving enrichment items etc...

They also tonight had a member of staff doing a Jazz performance, didn’t tune in as not my thing but thought it was something a little different.

They’re holding a live Q&A with Benjamin Mee on Friday 17th April @ 2pm

 

[Sand Cat]

What kind of fundraising ideas have they come up with?

That is a good point re Chester - imagine it helps that some of their keepers will be familiar with being on camera too.

For £5 you could buy one of their animals an Easter egg - well just an egg really - but they made a video where the owner thanked the donor personally and they filmed the animal eating its treat. Its been so popular they're now expanding on it by letting people buy a treat or lunch for any of their animals, again for a £5 donation. I like things like that, the sort of thing that kids could do and the fact they're asking for quite modest sums will hopefully encourage people to donate, so more will do it!

 

[TNT]

Can't forget Lakeland Wildlife Oasis and Wild Discovery - they've been doing some great talks!

 

[Zia]

For £5 you could buy one of their animals an Easter egg - well just an egg really - but they made a video where the owner thanked the donor personally and they filmed the animal eating its treat. Its been so popular they're now expanding on it by letting people buy a treat or lunch for any of their animals, again for a £5 donation. I like things like that, the sort of thing that kids could do and the fact they're asking for quite modest sums will hopefully encourage people to donate, so more will do it!

I think the personal touch will definitely help - and people like to think they are gifting something tangible rather than just cash. Obviously it all amounts to the same thing but it is a bit like wanting to give someone an actual birthday gift rather than just cash in a card.

 

[Andrew Swales]

I think the personal touch will definitely help - and people like to think they are gifting something tangible rather than just cash. Obviously it all amounts to the same thing but it is a bit like wanting to give someone an actual birthday gift rather than just cash in a card.

You are quite right - but the pity is that it doesnt amount to the same thing - because if anything is received back in exchange for money, the transaction is considered a sale by HMRC and full tax has to be taken off it. This has not been waived. A donation is free of tax, but also has to be free of 'benefit'.

 

[Zia]

You are quite right - but the pity is that it doesnt amount to the same thing - because if anything is received back in exchange for money, the transaction is considered a sale by HMRC and full tax has to be taken off it. This has not been waived. A donation is free of tax, but also has to be free of 'benefit'.

In the example being discussed the person is still just donating £5 (or however much). They are being told they are buying a treat or paying for a lunch - but they are in fact just donating money and not receiving anything back other than a thank you and possibly seeing a video of an animal eating a treat.

 

[Andrew Swales]

In the example being discussed the person is still just donating £5 (or however much). They are being told they are buying a treat or paying for a lunch - but they are in fact just donating money and not receiving anything back other than a thank you and possibly seeing a video of an animal eating a treat.

Sorry, but if they are buying the treat or lunch from the zoo, it is a sale - they do not actually have to receive the treat or lunch themselves. It is the receipt back of something (anything) linked to the giving of the money, which makes it a 'sale' - not whether the buyer gets the goods or not, or does something else with them, or indeed leaves them with the seller. We have looked into this in detail, and this is the ruling by HMRC. I'm not for a moment suggesting that it is not a great idea, just that the zoo might not be getting the amount of money the 'donor' expects...

 

[Ned]

At Blenheim Palace they give you the choice of paying an entrance fee or donating the entrance fee. If you donate the fee they give you a free annual ticket. I always assumed there was some tax reason for doing this.

 

[Zia]

Sorry, but if they are buying the treat or lunch from the zoo, it is a sale - they do not actually have to receive the treat or lunch themselves. It is the receipt back of something (anything) linked to the giving of the money, which makes it a 'sale' - not whether the buyer gets the goods or not, or does something else with them, or indeed leaves them with the seller. We have looked into this in detail, and this is the ruling by HMRC. I'm not for a moment suggesting that it is not a great idea, just that the zoo might not be getting the amount of money the 'donor' expects...

In that case I guess you'd have to weigh up whether it is worth doing to generate more donations vs receiving less donations and not having to pay the tax.

 

[DaveW]

Lincolnshire Wildlife Park has at least one live video on Facebook a day - usually towards the end of the afternoon and generally involving the big cats (although via video comments, other species can be suggested) and incorporates a daily competition to win an experience of some description.

Judging by the amount of viewers, the Facebook Insight figures and Amazon gift list items they receive each day, coupled with the honest, ‘one man with a smart phone’ approach to the videos, it seems that they have got a formula that fits well in the current situation

 

[Bubalus]

Flamingo Land have been doing a semi regular documentary series called View From The Zoo with which each episode features a different species. I actually have quite liked this as the park doesn't give masses of social media action on the zoo itself, especially being a resort with other attractions. Judging by the comments, it seems to have been well received

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=171141657404018

 

[Nod]

I have to say that Peak Wildlife Park have fantastic Instagram stories. They make them interactive using the features that Instagram has to offer, and it gives slightly more personal depth towards their collection, when participating.
They were doing those stories before the pandemic occurred, but it is extra great for people to get involved with now! And from where it is different from the constant livestream talks (which are no way, shape or form bad) by being a bit shorter and snappier, which help people on Instagram with kids that may have smaller attention spans.