Fight for survival for Twycross Zoo

Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire says they've been told they must remain closed 'indefinitely' following a change in the law.

Over the last few weeks the zoo had been preparing to reopen safely with significant changes and measures put in place.

Following a change in the law on 31st May 2020, zoo’s, including Twycross Zoo, were added to the list of venues that must remain closed until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It costs over half a million pounds a month to keep the zoo operating and provide care for their endangered animals.

As a charity the zoo says they held some money in reserves, but much of their income was reinvested each year to support conservation projects, both at the zoo and abroad, aimed at protecting many of the worlds most endangered species. Reserves have now all but been used.

Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE, CEO of Twycross Zoo had this to say: “This is a such a frustrating time for all at Twycross Zoo, and this decision to close us ‘indefinitely’ leaves us fighting for our survival as a conservation charity and zoo.“Since the 23rd of March we have remained closed and been keen to play our part to protect the public, our staff and animals from any risks. As the infection rate has lowered over recent weeks and lockdown restrictions had slowly started to lift, we were hopeful that Twycross Zoo along with other large rural conservation zoo’s, may be able to re-open safely.
“We are ready with a plethora of measures to ensure everyone’s safety and strongly believe that our zoo would provide a safe place for people to enjoy a much-needed day out, while providing vital support for conservation and helping secure our survival. 
“It is disappointing that large rural conservation zoos, like ours, seem to be being grouped with other venues that maybe can’t manage measures as easily due to the nature of their environment and who present different risk profiles.”

Back in April, Twycross Zoo launched a donations campaign and says they're delighted with the support it has received and the kindness shown by the public towards them during this difficult time.

The zoo says they had hoped it would receive some financial support in the way of a grant from the Government, though the Zoo Support Fund, but they say it does not support larger conservation zoos and is reserved to protect smaller organisations.

Sharon continued: “We are pleading with the Government to reconsider our plight, which has quickly now turned into a fight for survival. We have no choice but to fight this hard and are working with all levels of the Government to prove we do indeed provide a safe space for visitors and to highlight the measures we are taking.  Now is not the time to be losing vital contributors, like ourselves, to world conservation and sadly, following this decision, this is now the reality for our zoo.”

Twycross Zoo has relaunched its donation campaign.