Zoo bidding to be global centre for conservation

STUDY CENTRE

MANAGERS at Twycross Zoo are seeking £20 million of government funding to develop a leading global conservation centre.

The National Science and Conservation Centre, at the zoo, would offer researchers from around the world a place to study the four great apes that live there.

The centre would include teaching facilities with a focus on conservation, animal welfare, biosciences, science, technology, engineering and maths activities and public engagement with science.

A conference venue would be built as well as accommodation for visiting experts and specialists.

Twycross is the only zoo in the UK home to all four great ape species: chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos and orangutans.

The bid was made to the government’s Levelling Up Fund, which was created to support long-term capital projects that create jobs and grow the economy.

The zoo worked with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to put together the bid.

Council deputy leader David Bill, said: “If this bid is successful it will enable Twycross Zoo to make a significant contribution to the Midlands economy.

“The education, cultural and tourism sectors have been hit hard by the pandemic.

“These innovative plans will help establish the area as a focus for jobs, research, and education.”

Twycross Zoo is working towards a 2030 goal to become a European Centre of Excellence that makes a significant contribution to global conservation and animal welfare.

Chief executive Dr Sharon Redrobe said: “If we are successful with this critical bid, it will help us to continue our vision of educating and inspiring people to care about and help save the species with which we share our planet.”

Dr Luke Evans, MP for Hinckley and Bosworth, has written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak in support of the bid.

He said: “I have been proud to play an important role in drumming up support for the bid, getting support from parliamentary colleagues at Westminster, our councillors, Leicester and Leicestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and the Midlands Engine because I truly believe in this project.

“It offers something very distinctive for us in Bosworth as well as across the region.”

£20M SOUGHT TO CREATE A GREAT APES