Chester Zoo

vmac66

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Not horsey related but will get more views here.
Chester Zoo despite putting social distance measures in place have been told by the gov that they cannot reopen anytime soon and are in danger of closure. They are one of the best zoos in the country and do so much for endangered species.
Change.org have a petition on FB or if you go onto the zoo fb page they have a just giving page.
 

ycbm

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I don't understand why Ikea is fine (inside a big shed) but a zoo (mostly outdoors) isn't. Surely some half way house with cafe's and small insect places shut?

None of the indoor attractions or cafe were to be open. This decision is ridiculous, and very annoying, we were going to go to support them.
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This is an absolute disgrace if Chester Zoo is not helped by the government. This is a truly amazing place and plays such a massive part in crucial endangered animal breeding programmes to name but a few things. I went so many times as a child and a few years ago as an adult and it is a truly remarkable place. Hope people can help to save this place for future generations. God bless you all at Chester Zoo, keep up the fight. x
 

Tiddlypom

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It is crazy that Ikea can open, but not Chester Zoo. This is from the zoo’s appeal page.

But now, as the government has ordered that we may have to stay closed indefinitely, it hurts us to say that this crisis has left us FIGHTING FOR OUR FUTURE.
Not being able to open, despite being a huge outdoor site with all the necessary safety measures in place, is having a devastating impact on our much-loved zoo. We’re heading towards debt in excess of £24m by the end of 2020 – this will financially cripple us. We need to raise £1.6m each month to keep going.
Meanwhile, we’re having to sit back and watch as people are piling onto beaches and into public parks, where there is no way of controlling numbers, no way of guaranteeing people are socially distanced and no way of ensuring safety. We, can do all of this.
We look on as, from this week, private gardens open up, while we and our own 128 acres of gardens and 16km of pathways remain closed, and under enormous financial pressure.
 

Wishfilly

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And also Knowsley safari park has to remain fully closed, even for the drive through safari route where visitors stay in their own cars to view the animals :confused:.

Needs more joined up thinking to get those places that can safely reopen, open again.

This, in particular, seems like a ridiculous decision. How can they possibly justify this?
 

scats

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Chester zoo is very local to me. I would be absolutely gutted if it didn’t survive this, they do so much for conservation. Today I bought an adoption gift for my mums birthday next week and I plan to buy a full membership for a year, even if it doesn’t open for me to go. I wish I could do more.
 

Tiddlypom

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Not sure what the reasoning behind the continued closure order for zoos is. The nearby Cheshire Oaks Outlet village is reopening on June 15th, I bet the queues to get in will stretch for many miles.

I’ve just bought myself a year‘s membership for Chester zoo. There‘s been a big outpouring of support and donations.
 

Pippity

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One of my friends got married at Chester Zoo. In between the ceremony and the reception, we all wandered around the zoo in our wedding finery, collecting many odd looks! And there's nothing quite like popping out of the reception to cool down a bit and hearing a lion roar. Raised the hairs on the back of my neck!

I'm about to sign up for a year's membership, and adopt animals for my nieces. One of them adores giraffes, so she's easy to choose for, but the other might be trickier!

Update: I got her a red panda.
 
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lannerch

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I’ve donated and signed petition it’s a ridiculous decision and as we all know how expensive horses are to keep just imagine the weekly costs Chester zoo has and as their animals are nearly all endangered the specialists they have to employ to look after them.
Please everyone if you can do the same, every little helps ?
 

clairefeekerry1

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It’s the same for cotswold wildlife park near us. Huge open spaces you walk round, more space than in your local parks and fields! Yet they can’t open but the local parks are rammed???
 

ycbm

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Given the infection of the lions in the US zoo, I am wondering if they are concerned about the virus getting into the animals, those animals infecting other wild animals and the virus being kept alive and spread in the wild animal population?

Nothing else makes sense to me.

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Pearlsasinger

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Given the infection of the lions in the US zoo, I am wondering if they are concerned about the virus getting into the animals, those animals infecting other wild animals and the virus being kept alive and spread in the wild animal population?

Nothing else makes sense to me.

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You possibly are correct, it's the only thing that makes any sort of sense but surely the zoo staff are the experts, who should be making the decisions about their vulnerability.

Oh hang on, that would be like asking teachers about taking 4 yr olds back into school first.

Over the years we have spent many hours at Chester Zoo, I love the place.
 

sherry90

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Given the infection of the lions in the US zoo, I am wondering if they are concerned about the virus getting into the animals, those animals infecting other wild animals and the virus being kept alive and spread in the wild animal population?

Nothing else makes sense to me.

.

This makes some sense but since the virus is spread by contact I’m not sure how close any visitors get to the lions to spread the disease? It could only be spread by keepers from animal to animal and that risk is there is the zoo is open to the public or not?
 

Pippity

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Are zoos not cruel places for animals to live, essentially in lockdown the whole of their lives?

Depends on the zoo.

Chester Zoo is part of conservation breeding schemes, which are essential to keep viable populations of endangered species. They also put a lot of work into enrichment for the animals under their care.
 

Tiddlypom

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From the local press. Let’s hope that common sense prevails, and that it prevails soon, while there is still a zoo left to save.

Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Cllr Louise Gittins said in a statement: “The council’s environmental health officers have been involved in Chester Zoo’s preparations for a safe opening and we are confident that the measures being taken will enable the zoo to operate safely, with significant public health measures in place.

“We fully support the campaign launched today by Chester Zoo, and call on government to apply more consistency and evidence in its plans for safe re-opening, with the support of local public health teams.”

I’ve just adopted a Bornean Orangutan, I could spend hours watching them :).

ETA A fantastic £982,000 (and rapidly rising) has been raised so far on the justgiving page. The zoo costs £1.6 million per month in running costs.
 
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From the local press. Let’s hope that common sense prevails, and that it prevails soon, while there is still a zoo left to save.

Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Cllr Louise Gittins said in a statement: “The council’s environmental health officers have been involved in Chester Zoo’s preparations for a safe opening and we are confident that the measures being taken will enable the zoo to operate safely, with significant public health measures in place.

“We fully support the campaign launched today by Chester Zoo, and call on government to apply more consistency and evidence in its plans for safe re-opening, with the support of local public health teams.”

I’ve just adopted a Bornean Orangutan, I could spend hours watching them :).

ETA A fantastic £982,000 (and rapidly rising) has been raised so far on the justgiving page. The zoo costs £1.6 million per month in running costs.

I questioned the £1.6M a month but it appears that is what they need to raise as by the end of 2020 They will be £24M in debt. I’m told that there have been upgrades and they owe a lot of money for the developments. They said it costs £498,000 a month to feed the animals. I do hope this is the case and that there are not a raft of directors behind these figures drawing money off like in a lot of places.

It is fantastic there has been money raised but I think unless the government will allow them to open and have an income, it is looking unlikely they will survive. Which would be devastating.
 
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Gosh I didn’t realise there are over 700 staff. I’ve not been there for probably about 9 years now and was interested to hear of all the developments. It’s worrying they will be in debt for £24m by the end of 2020, as even if they open now they’re unlikely to get that sort of revenue in from ticket sales.
 

chocolategirl

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I questioned the £1.6M a month but it appears that is what they need to raise as by the end of 2020 They will be £24M in debt. I’m told that there have been upgrades and they owe a lot of money for the developments. They said it costs £498,000 a month to feed the animals. I do hope this is the case and that there are not a raft of directors behind these figures drawing money off like in a lot of places.

It is fantastic there has been money raised but I think unless the government will allow them to open and have an income, it is looking unlikely they will survive. Which would be devastating.
This is my concern, I’m also very curious to know if the directors have taken a wage cut, and I’m also assuming most of the ancillary staff are furloughed? I’m also wondering what would happen to all the animals if they don’t raise enough money? Are they implying they’ll all be pts? Chester zoo is on my doorstep and I’ve frequented it many times over the years, so would hate it to go out of business, but I would also like to know all the facts before I part with my hard earned cash ?
 
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