Zoos need to be rescued, MPS and peers tell Johnson

DOZENS of Tory MPS including former ministers have written to Boris Johnson asking for more financial aid to help zoos with their conservation work amid fears that some may not survive the autumn.

The letter, signed by 46 MPS and 16 peers, calls for gift aid support and VAT cuts for zoos “to prevent innumerable zoo and aquarium closures over the coming months”.

The Daily Telegraph understands that Lord Goldsmith, the environment minister, who has strong conservation credentials, has been putting together a financial package worth between £50 million and £100 million to stop zoos folding.

The news comes on the day that zoos can finally reopen.

Signatories to the letter to the Prime Minister include former Conservative ministers George Freeman, Heather Wheeler and Tracey Crouch, as well as senior Tory MPS Andrew Rosindell, Pauline Latham and Peter Aldous.

Peers who have signed it include Baroness Bakewell, Lord Balfe and Lord Dubs.

They warn: “Lockdown has put their financial viability in a precarious position. Reopening will not address all the challenges zoos and aquariums face.

“Financial aid could ensure that we do not lose the species that rely on our zoos and aquariums and that the United Kingdom retain its presence as a global conservation player.”

An environment department spokesman confirmed the talks about a new funding package, adding: “We have provided a £14million support fund to ensure smaller zoos are able to continue to care for their animals. We are also continuing to engage with some of the larger zoos to discuss … the need for further funding.”