Zoo boss warns lack of funding could lead to ‘mass cull’

TWYCROSS Zoo’s CEO has warned a lack of funding could potentially lead to a “mass cull” of endangered animals.

Dr Sharon Redrobe’s (OBE) statement came days before the government announced a zoo’s fund to ensure the conservation projects could not only survive Covid-19, but also thrive.

But Twycross Zoo does not meet the eligibility criteria for a slice of the £100 million funding being issued by the government.

Dr Redrobe OBE warned the welfare of animals at zoos across the country are in danger, and that if something isn’t done soon there may have to be a “mass cull” as conservation projects cannot cope.

She said: “As a group of large charity zoos we were extremely disappointed to learn that this fund effectively excludes us and is capped at too low a level.

“Whilst £100 million is indeed a large total fund, we were extremely frustrated to discover that we would be legally constrained from meeting the eligibility criteria as it requires us to have too few months running costs left.

“Moreover the 800-thousand-euro cap is less than one month’s running costs and so is woefully inadequate for our needs and places thousands of animals at risk.

“We urgently call on the Government to work with us on revisiting the criteria for this fund to truly help save our nation’s zoos.”

As a panel speaker at the recent Zoos and Aquariums All-party Parliamentary Group on June 24, she said: “Failing animal welfare and the rundown of facilities, we all know is another road to closure.

“The loss of a large collection of endangered species unique in the UK such as Twycross Zoos’ would be devastating and when I say loss, dare I say it, potentially a mass cull as we are all in the same boat.

“No other zoo worldwide has the funds to create new enclosures immediately as they cost millions. We are all facing the same ending.”