New mum Carrie returns to work at animal charity
CARRIE Symonds is returning to the workplace after landing a top public relations job at an animal charity.
Boris Johnson’s fiancee will become head of communications at the Aspinall Foundation, which runs Port Lympne and Howletts wildlife parks in Kent.
Environment campaigner Carrie was previously a Government special adviser and the Conservative Party’s director of communications.
The announcement of her return to work comes nine months after she gave birth to Wilfred, her first child with the PM.
The foundation works to save endangered animals and return them to the wild using its animal parks. She visited Howletts last year and spent time feeding the animals.
Carrie met two cheetahs born at the park before they were sent to South Africa for rewilding in a world first.The 32-year-old, who adopted rescue dog Dilyn when she moved into No 10, said it was clear the animals at Howletts were happier than those in traditional zoos.
She added: “Howletts is all about halting the extinction of animals and returning them back to the wild.
“No frills, no entertainment. Everything is done for the benefit of animals, not of tourists.”
The foundation was set up in 1984 by late businessman John Aspinall as a way to try returning rare and endangered animals to their natural habitats. His son Damian Aspinall, 60, chairman of the charity, said: “Carrie takes up her new role at
an exciting time for the foundation and we are delighted to have someone of her calibre on the team. She’s a passionate champion for wildlife and conservation, whose energy and expertise will be a huge asset to us. ”
Carrie will continue with her role as an adviser at US-based environmental campaign group Oceana.
Last year she was named Person of the Year by animal rights organisation Peta.
And in 2019 she joined her partner’s father Stanley Johnson on a protest against Japan’s plans to resume commercial whaling.