Zoo groups and animal charity clash over regulation

A ROW has broken out between a zoo association and an animal charity over how attractions should be regulated.

The Born Free Foundation has criticised the current system, which regulates zoos and ensures animal welfare, claiming it is “not independent”.

The wildlife charity’s call for an independent inspectorate follows the granting of a new licence to South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria, which excludes the former owner, despite coming under criticism for the deaths of 486 animals in its care.

But in a joint statement, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria said: “As the regional and national zoo associations, with strong commitment to ensuring their members have the highest levels of welfare, we are concerned that the report groundlessly conflates the keeping of animals at zoos with the exotic pet trade and travelling circuses.”

They believe “the Born Free Foundation aims to position itself as such an inspectorate” and suggest an independent system should not “prioritise the views of animal rights groups who are ideologically opposed to zoos”.

Zoo licences are issued by local authorities and inspections take place annually, with a formal inspection by a government-appointed zoo inspector every three to four years.

Chris Draper, Born Free’s director of animal welfare, claimed that the individuals who carry out inspections are often either “affiliated to the zoo industry or zoo curators [themselves]”.

He said: “We don’t want to be an independent inspectorate. We want there to be an independent inspectorate.”