ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo News 2020

[pipaluk]

Further grim news regarding financial help-now the President of ZSL is appealing directly for aid.

I got the begging email too.
I've already spent £150 renewing my fellowship to so far visit Whipsnade twice since September. I don't want a refund or extension to my annual fee beyond this August but now they are pushing for me to become a patron at £50 per month! I would donate something reasonably substantial, but my problem with giving ZSL extra is that there are many Fellows etc that really aren't interested in the zoos. Questions about the zoos seem to be frowned upon by some at the AGM who are only interested in science or conservation projects, even though it is the zoos that created most peoples interest in the first place.
If I give money I want to know it is going towards keeping the zoos I love open, not Conservation projects or management salaries!
Yes Conservation is important before anyone criticises this view, but for me the zoos should come first!!

 

[Pertinax]

Questions about the zoos seem to be frowned upon by some at the AGM who are only interested in science or conservation projects, even though it is the zoos that created most peoples interest in the first place.
If I give money I want to know it is going towards keeping the zoos I love open, not Conservation projects or management salaries!
Yes Conservation is important before anyone criticises this view, but for me the zoos should come first!!

I think this has historically always been the situation at ZSL. Also reflected by their Annual Reports, where the Zoos seem to get a mention of a mere couple of pages.

 

[pipaluk]

I think this has historically always been the situation at ZSL. Also reflected by their Annual Reports, where the Zoos seem to get a mention of a mere couple of pages.

And the quarterly magazine regularly only dedicates less than a third of its pages to the zoos or animals that can be seen there.
My main point is that if they asked me to have £50-100 worth of fruit and veg delivered by asda or tesco I'd probably do it, some zoos ask for donations of food or other things that clearly go direct to the animals and support the zoo.
There are other zoos I will support by buying an annual pass I don't already have.

 

[Panthera1981]

Certainly I don’t think management have endeared themselves in recent years, particularly in some of the “quick-fix” solutions produced (whoever came up with the Crazy Golf idea ought to be sectioned). I still believe there’s a snotty, blasé attitude that runs through ZSL and that certain lessons haven’t been learnt from the crisis of the early 1990s.

If the worse did happen however, close London and pump the investment into Whipsnade. I don’t say this lightly as London Zoo is close to my heart. But it’s archaic, outdated infrastructure is slowly killing off the site, as evidenced by the abhorrent closure of the aquarium and the spiralling renovation costs of the Snowdon Aviary.

 

[Pertinax]

I think this has historically always been the situation at ZSL.

I should probably change this to I know this has historically always been the situation at ZSL...

 

[Zorro]

Perhaps management could take a pay cut and show the rest of the team how its done?

 

[Panthera1981]

If I give money I want to know it is going towards keeping the zoos I love open, not Conservation projects or management salaries!
Yes Conservation is important before anyone criticises this view, but for me the zoos should come first!!

One could argue that ZSL (probably all zoos) could be compared to a department store-you do your research online, for example, then go into the store to investigate further. Ultimately your purchase supports the actual bricks-and-mortar operation first, and I certainly agree that management is losing sight of that. In my experience, visitors won’t be enamoured by a species unless they can physically see/smell/touch it. No amount of YouTube videos can replicate that!

I hate to say it but, currently, my heart says donate, but my head says otherwise.

 

[LucasRyan]

If the worse did happen however, close London and pump the investment into Whipsnade. I don’t say this lightly as London Zoo is close to my heart. But it’s archaic, outdated infrastructure is slowly killing off the site, as evidenced by the abhorrent closure of the aquarium and the spiralling renovation costs of the Snowdon Aviary.

As much as I hate to say it you do get more value for money investing at Whipsnade. The Snowdon Aviary is costing upwards of £10m, while roughly £5m has come from the National Lottery, ZSL still has to raise the remainder. Imagine what near to £4/5m could do if spent at Whipsnade, rather than on another primate walkthrough at London (which has the already excellent squirrel monkey walkthrough)

But I think ZSL do know that to a point (and deep down!) based on their ZSL200 vision London will become more of a research/science hub with the link up with UCL and a reduced animal collection, focused on "up close" encounters.

You do have to wonder what the fundraising teams are doing if they have got to the stage of tapping their members (which have declined in recent years) to reject the free months extension to there membership so they can renew early. ZSL has so much history and connections to people but they just don't seem to be able to dip down the pockets of those potential big donors like other charities manage.

Prime example is the For People, For Wildlife campaign last October-December, they were selected for UK Aid Match where the government would double all donations for that campaign up to £2m. They only raised £500k over those 3 months, even with a shop on Carnaby Street and months of lead time to prepare a big campaign. Now £500k doubled to £1m is still a lot of money, and maybe I am being unfair, but I would have thought they should have achieved much more.

 

[pipaluk]

I hate to say it but, currently, my heart says donate, but my head says otherwise.

Exactly how I feel too

 

[Panthera1981]

Further to what LucasRyan states, I honestly don’t believe ZSL (certain elements anyway) are that well thought of within the zoo community, very much a “Them and Us” attitude, which has existed for many years-both Gerald Durrell and John Aspinall certainly alluded to it. A brand name will only get you so far but, without the right contacts and the ability to LISTEN you’re in deep trouble. Maybe ZSL has a bit of a Nero complex!

Regardless of the current climate, I can’t see London Zoo itself lasting another 10 years-and that breaks my heart. If Whipsnade is allowed to go the same way, however, that’s unforgivable!

 

[pipaluk]

I don't really like the idea of giving up completely on London Zoo and concentrating solely on Whipsnade, though I do understand the reasoning behind it.

Too much money has been wasted on single projects already, the Colobus idea should be scrapped. The tiger and penguin exhibits were a plus for the zoo, but the £6m wasted on land of the Lions was a step too far. The Colobus another waste of money when the whole of the North Bank could be tidied up and rebuilt for 10% of the cost with wood and wire!
Also every few years vast amounts are spent on rebranding - ZSL London Zoo for example, what was that about?! Changing every sign with slogans like 'let's work for wildlife' etc. Do the visitors really care about these slogans or even notice them? Waste of money lining PR peoples pockets in my opinion!
The money has been available but not spent on the right thing - improving the zoo.

 

[Andrew Swales]

Woburn Safari Park, only a few miles North of Whipsnade joins the You ZSL.

London Zoo is slowly being let down - As for London,giving it priority as far as funding goes could lead to fantastic enclosures.

Either you or pipaluk is right - to quote him:
"The money has been available but not spent on the right thing - improving the zoo"
you both cant be....

What exactly is the You ZSL that Woburn is supposed to join?
Surely the moderators should move this to the 'Fantasy' thread...

 

[Panthera1981]

I don't really like the idea of giving up completely on London Zoo and concentrating solely on Whipsnade, though I do understand the reasoning behind it.

Neither do I, but I fear we’re reaching the stage where the stable door’s been shut long after the horse has bolted!

 

[The_melford_manatee]

Either you or pipaluk is right - to quote him:
"The money has been available but not spent on the right thing - improving the zoo"
you both cant be....

What exactly is the You ZSL that Woburn is supposed to join?
Surely the moderators should move this to the 'Fantasy' thread...

It is fantasy-I realised that and deleted the post but somehow it’s still here-but in my opinion so is closing down London Zoo for Whipsnade.It will not work.

 

[oflory]

Further to what LucasRyan states, I honestly don’t believe ZSL (certain elements anyway) are that well thought of within the zoo community, very much a “Them and Us” attitude, which has existed for many years-both Gerald Durrell and John Aspinall certainly alluded to it. A brand name will only get you so far but, without the right contacts and the ability to LISTEN you’re in deep trouble. Maybe ZSL has a bit of a Nero complex!

Regardless of the current climate, I can’t see London Zoo itself lasting another 10 years-and that breaks my heart. If Whipsnade is allowed to go the same way, however, that’s unforgivable!

I've felt for some time that there are people in the ZSL high command who think it is a bit embarrassing and declasse (for want of a better word) to be in charge of two zoos and would much rather focus on science and conservation, forgetting the two live collections that they manage.

 

[Crowthorne]

It is fantasy-I realised that and deleted the post but somehow it’s still here-but in my opinion so is closing down London Zoo for Whipsnade.It will not work.

If a post has been quoted, it will show in the quote box in the post of who quoted it. This is the case even if the original post is subsequently deleted. Similarly, if a post is edited after it has been quoted, the quote box will show the pre-edit version of the post.

 

[The_melford_manatee]

If a post has been quoted, it will show in the quote box in the post of who quoted it. This is the case even if the original post is subsequently deleted. Similarly, if a post is edited after it has been quoted, the quote box will show the pre-edit version of the post.

Thanks,but when I deleted it I did not see any replies sent.

 

[Crowthorne]

ZSL have sent an email to all members outlining their reopening plans (NB. Posted to London and Whipsnade threads)

...Thank you to all of you who have so generously supported us while we have faced the financial impact of coronavrius, helping us to feed our animals and protect wildlife in our field programmes across the globe. Although we don’t yet have a date when we can re-open our Zoos, we are following guidance from the government and putting in place measures to enable us to open responsibly in anticipation - and we wanted you, our members, to be the first to hear about them.

The safety of our visitors, animals and staff is our absolute priority. As elsewhere, when we open again, we will need to maintain social distancing and for our sites this will require the careful management of visitor numbers. To be as safe as possible, we will have to limit the number of people in both our Zoos, requiring all visitors, including members, to pre-book a ticket online. These will of course be free of charge for members, and we will let you know ahead of time all the details you’ll need and when tickets are available to book.

When the Zoos re-open, our outdoor spaces will be accessible straight away so you can catch up with your furry and feathery friends while enjoying the fresh air. The restaurants and kiosks will be serving take-away food and drinks from outdoor serving areas, and we will have plenty of hand-sanitiser stations across the Zoos.

The opening of our indoor spaces, like the animal houses and restaurants, walkthroughs and play areas will follow in time, but only when it’s safe to do so. This will be the same for animal talks and demonstrations which will be on hold for the foreseeable to help prevent crowding.

To make ZSL London Zoo as safe as possible, we will be creating one-way routes around the site, which you will be able to choose between depending on the length of time you plan to visit. Thanks to the vast open space at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, the UK’s largest Zoo, you will be able to plan your own way around as normal. However, we may introduce one-way routes in some places...

 

[LucasRyan]

ZSL have sent an email to all members outlining their reopening plans (NB. Posted to London and Whipsnade threads)

Pretty standard based on what other Zoos are also doing. The pre-booking is reasonable and the only way to manage numbers to prevent "at the gate" disappointment. Although visitor experience at London will be a bit limited once you close indoor houses and walkthroughs. Together with the continued "avoid public transport" message from TFL and lack of car parking spaces, ZSL really need to be focusing on and pushing Whipsnade at this time.

ALVA are pushing government to allow for outdoor ticketed attractions to be opened in phase 2 in June rather than phase 3 in July and ZSL are hoping that will be successful to allow a June rather than July opening.

 

[Shorts]

Although visitor experience at London will be a bit limited once you close indoor houses and walkthroughs.

That's a bit of an understatement. Take away the indoor attractions/walkthroughs and you lose most of what remains good about London.

By my reckoning that puts the "Clore", reptile house, bird house, BUGS, African aviary, Casson (if it's open nowadays), butterfly tunnel, Squirrel Monkey walkthrough, indoor Gorilla viewing (are they ever outside?) all out of use.

That really doesn't leave a lot left to see and wouldn't seem even average value (presuming they haven't dropped prices accordingly).