UK ZOO’S ?

The government will not let zoos reopen indefinitely.

They are all running out of money because paying customers aren't allowed in. The animals still need food and Chester zoo is now in desperate need of help. So shockingly sad! I heard today that they are possibly having to choose which animals should live and which should die.

Chester zoo thought the government would let them reopen as they have put social distancing measures in place. Places like Ikea and the retail shops opening should never come before poor innocent animals needing food. We can live without new furniture for a while but these animals need to be fed.

Zoos could shut for good, MPs warn

Zoos will close permanently and animals have to be put down unless the Government allows them to reopen, MPs have warned ahead of a Commons debate on Thursday.

The news came after Lord Goldsmith, the animal welfare minister, held talks with MPs in the north-west of England about the threat facing Chester Zoo, one of the UK's biggest tourist attractions.

The peer reportedly told MPs Kieran Mullan, Andy Carter, Ed Timpson and Esther McVey in the call that he would do whatever he could to "support Chester Zoo through the pandemic – no ifs, buts or maybes".

There are 141 zoos and aquariums in the UK, which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. They are bracketed under other "ticketed outdoor leisure venues", like theme parks, and are not being allowed to reopen until next month at the earliest.

Zoos could shut for good, MPs warn

Zoos will close permanently and animals have to be put down unless the Government allows them to reopen, MPs have warned ahead of a Commons debate on Thursday.

The news came after Lord Goldsmith, the animal welfare minister, held talks with MPs in the north-west of England about the threat facing Chester Zoo, one of the UK's biggest tourist attractions.

The peer reportedly told MPs Kieran Mullan, Andy Carter, Ed Timpson and Esther McVey in the call that he would do whatever he could to "support Chester Zoo through the pandemic – no ifs, buts or maybes".

There are 141 zoos and aquariums in the UK, which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. They are bracketed under other "ticketed outdoor leisure venues", like theme parks, and are not being allowed to reopen until next month at the earliest.

Meanwhile, in Wales, the First Minister said that at some point in next three years or so he'd begin to start thinking about letting theme parks and other outdoor leisure venues possibly reopen in late 2028. Maybe. Perhaps. But he won't be rushed.

Zoos could shut for good, MPs warn

Zoos will close permanently and animals have to be put down unless the Government allows them to reopen, MPs have warned ahead of a Commons debate on Thursday.

The news came after Lord Goldsmith, the animal welfare minister, held talks with MPs in the north-west of England about the threat facing Chester Zoo, one of the UK's biggest tourist attractions.

The peer reportedly told MPs Kieran Mullan, Andy Carter, Ed Timpson and Esther McVey in the call that he would do whatever he could to "support Chester Zoo through the pandemic – no ifs, buts or maybes".

There are 141 zoos and aquariums in the UK, which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. They are bracketed under other "ticketed outdoor leisure venues", like theme parks, and are not being allowed to reopen until next month at the earliest.

Meanwhile, in Wales, the First Minister said that at some point in next three years or so he'd begin to start thinking about letting theme parks and other outdoor leisure venues possibly reopen in late 2028. Maybe. Perhaps. But he won't be rushed.

Zoos could shut for good, MPs warn

Zoos will close permanently and animals have to be put down unless the Government allows them to reopen, MPs have warned ahead of a Commons debate on Thursday.

The news came after Lord Goldsmith, the animal welfare minister, held talks with MPs in the north-west of England about the threat facing Chester Zoo, one of the UK's biggest tourist attractions.

The peer reportedly told MPs Kieran Mullan, Andy Carter, Ed Timpson and Esther McVey in the call that he would do whatever he could to "support Chester Zoo through the pandemic – no ifs, buts or maybes".

There are 141 zoos and aquariums in the UK, which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. They are bracketed under other "ticketed outdoor leisure venues", like theme parks, and are not being allowed to reopen until next month at the earliest.

Meanwhile, in Wales, the First Minister said that at some point in next three years or so he'd begin to start thinking about letting theme parks and other outdoor leisure venues possibly reopen in late 2028. Maybe. Perhaps. But he won't be rushed.

Yes,but he can't promise that

He also as to wait see what boris does 1st before he can decide how long before he can open anything...

I really don't get how you can open garden centres, DIY stores, etc., and not zoos.

The vast majority are in the open air and spread over a wide expanse of land where it would be simple to maintain social distancing (particularly Chester). Even if they close/limit the opening of the indoor areas it would be as safe as anywhere to open.

An expert on BBC on Sunday was actually laughing about it when he pointed out that driving around a safari park would probably be the safest activity to undertake as not many people would consider even opening their car windows in the lion enclosure !!

London and Whipsnade Zoos say they face permanent closure if the government does not reverse its decision to keep zoos shut as lockdown restrictions are eased.

The charity the Zoological Society of London, which runs both attractions, said the sites are reliant on income from visitors to care for their animals and fund global science and conservation projects.

ZSL said it did not qualify for government help and has been spending £1m a month on expenses.

ZSL head Dominic Jermey said: "Unlike shops, museums and pubs, we couldn't just shut the gates, press pause, and wait for the green light to return.

"Our zookeepers, veterinary teams and facilities teams have continued to come to work every day to ensure our precious animals remain healthy and cared for."

ZSL says measures have been put in place so visitors can return to the zoos safely.

The issue is to be discussed in a parliamentary debate on Thursday.

Zoos and safari parks allowed to open from Monday, Boris Johnson to announce

Zoos and safari parks in England will be allowed to open from Monday, Boris Johnson will announce on Wednesday, in a move that could save some of the nation’s best-loved attractions from closure.

Zoos had taken a financial battering from lockdown because of the continuing cost of looking after animals without any revenue coming in, and some had warned they were on the brink of going bust.

Their reopening — on the same day that high streets are allowed to reopen — will give families a chance to enjoy days out that have been banned since March.

However, indoor exhibits, such as reptile houses, must remain closed, and cafes on the premises will be takeaway only. Aquariums cannot yet open as they are largely indoors.

Other attractions where people do not have to get out of their cars, such as drive-in cinemas, will also be able to open from Monday.

London Zoo makes preparations to reopen

Preparations are being made at London Zoo ahead of its planned reopening next week.

New measures to combat the spread of the virus include extra hand-sanitiser stations and coloured paw prints painted onto the ground to mark one-way trails for visitors.

Kathryn England, the chief operating officer of the zoo in Regent's Park, said that the team was "ready to go and really looking forward to welcoming people back."

Ms England added that the zoo had been "breathing a sigh of relief" following the Government announcement that it will be able to reopen.

London Zoo makes preparations to reopen

Preparations are being made at London Zoo ahead of its planned reopening next week.

New measures to combat the spread of the virus include extra hand-sanitiser stations and coloured paw prints painted onto the ground to mark one-way trails for visitors.

Kathryn England, the chief operating officer of the zoo in Regent's Park, said that the team was "ready to go and really looking forward to welcoming people back."

Ms England added that the zoo had been "breathing a sigh of relief" following the Government announcement that it will be able to reopen.

Also saw Chester zoo has reopened, but to limited numbers,much less than normal.

WG announcement on zoos today! We "MAY" be in position on 9th july to announce something? Ffs that is all they keep saying no wonder businesses and public are getting fed up! They're seeing rest uk moving forward whilst we stagnate..... WG cannot make a decision to save their lives

Kathryn England, chief operating officer for ZSL London Zoo, said that it was "glorious" to be able to welcome customers back to the park.

"It's been really quiet here so to be able to see [people] coming back with absolutely enormous smiles all over their faces really is a special moment for us all here," she said.

"We've really reconfigured the whole zoo so that people feel and are safe... there's lots of signage around to remind them to keep a lion's length apart, a tiger's length apart."

Ms England added that the high demand for tickets showed an immense support from the public, which she described as "totally moving".

"It's so nice to see children beside themselves with excitement and parents relieved to be able to have a different place to come and entertain the children for a few hours," she said.

"What's also nice is that the staff are absolutely thrilled to have people back, it's great."