Zoo Is Allowed to Reopen - Over 100,000 Signatures in a Day!
Zoos in England are to be allowed to reopen their doors to visitors from 15 June 2020. Also permitted to reopen will be outdoor attractions where people stay in their cars, such as safari parks or drive-in cinemas, and takeaway food services.
But some things will have to remain closed like aquariums, reptile houses, other indoor exhibitions, cafes, and gift shops.
Earlier in the evening, a petition that had just 111 signatures at 10am on the morning of 9 June, was on course to get 100,000 signatures by 10:30pm. At 100,000 signatures Parliament would have had to consider debating it.
The 100,000 signatures were actually reached just after 11pm, with over 1,000 signatures coming from South West Bedfordshire, Andrew Selous' constituency where ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is situated.
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3 Nov 2020
Whipsnade Zoo Will Be Forced to Close on 5 November
- Whipsnade Zoo has said that is devastated by the news that it must close ZSL Whipsnade Zoo again on Thursday due to the COVID-19 pandemic measures being put in place by the UK Government.
A spokesperson for the Zoo wrote, "While we understand this national action is necessary to curb the spread of coronavirus, it adds a huge burden to an incredibly tough year for us. Our focus throughout has always been keeping our animals happy and well cared for, and knowing we would be able to share the joy of the zoo with visitors again.
“But once more we will need to shoulder the costs for the food and care of our 20,000 animals with no way to generate income for ourselves.
“We have spent the last day digesting this difficult news and working out the next steps to make sure all our visitors are looked after. Thanks for your patience while we did this, here is what you need to know:
- If you have a TICKET BOOKED during the forthcoming closure (Nov 5 – Dec 2) we will contact you before Thursday, and swap your ticket for a flexi-ticket that can be used anytime for a full year once we re-open.
- If you have an ANIMAL EXPERIENCE BOOKED during the forthcoming closure (Nov 5 – Dec 2), we will contact you as soon as possible to rearrange a new date. We will contact people in order of the date they had booked, in order to re-book people as fairly as possible.
- If you have MEET SANTA tickets for November dates we will contact you to arrange a refund or rebook you if we can (spaces for December are currently sold out, so we are looking at whether additional slots can be safely added).
- We will be in touch with OUR MEMBERS, PATRONS AND FELLOWS directly with a personal message from our Director General so please look out for an email in the coming days.
“Finally, thank you – many of you have already reached out with kind words of support and that has been really appreciated at this challenging time.”
- If you want to do anything further to help the zoo through the next month we would welcome donations of any size to help feed and care for our animals: zsl.org/donate ❤️ #YourZoosNeedYou
“Don’t let London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo go extinct”Sir David Attenborough
---1 Jan 2021Whipsnade Zoo - “It is Ok to Visit” — MP
Andrew Selous, MP, told News Desk, “The government has listened to concerns I and other MPs have raised on behalf of zoos and from the 26th of December it is now possible for people in Tier 4 areas to visit outdoor areas of zoos and other animal attractions.”
The regulations state:
6.16 Regulation 2(6)(d) amends Schedule 3A to the All Tiers Regulations to include a new exception for leaving home in Tier 4 as paragraph 2(2)(da), which is to visit: outdoor attractions at an aquarium, zoo or safari park; or outdoor animal attractions at a farm, wildlife centre or any other place where animals are exhibited to the public as an attraction. An amendment is also made to permit these attractions to open in Tier 4 by regulation 2(6)(aa) and (bb).
Andrew added, “I am absolutely delighted by this because being able to go to Whipsnade will be very special for many local people. These visits will provide much-needed income to our zoos and enable Whipsnade’s leading global conservation work to continue. ”
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1 Jan 2021
Whipsnade Zoo - “It is Ok to Visit” — MP
Andrew Selous, MP, told News Desk, “The government has listened to concerns I and other MPs have raised on behalf of zoos and from the 26th of December it is now possible for people in Tier 4 areas to visit outdoor areas of zoos and other animal attractions.”
The regulations state:
6.16 Regulation 2(6)(d) amends Schedule 3A to the All Tiers Regulations to include a new exception for leaving home in Tier 4 as paragraph 2(2)(da), which is to visit: outdoor attractions at an aquarium, zoo or safari park; or outdoor animal attractions at a farm, wildlife centre or any other place where animals are exhibited to the public as an attraction. An amendment is also made to permit these attractions to open in Tier 4 by regulation 2(6)(aa) and (bb).
Andrew added, “I am absolutely delighted by this because being able to go to Whipsnade will be very special for many local people. These visits will provide much-needed income to our zoos and enable Whipsnade’s leading global conservation work to continue. ”
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31 Mar 2021
Our local zoo is pleased to be re-opening!
It's that time we've all been waiting for, the Zoos are re-opening and you can now book your early bird tickets for a great day out!
The animals are so excited to welcome visitors back. At ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, visit their youngest elephant Beth with her family, and if you're lucky you might catch a glimpse of nine-month old Red panda cub, Nilo.
And at ZSL London Zoo, come and meet the new tigress, Gaysha, and see how much six-month-old okapi, Ede has grown.
With everyone is ready for a day out the priority for the zoo is to re-open safely and responsibly, in line with the Government schedule. So they will have social distancing in place and reduced capacities. Tickets are, therefore, limited, but the good news is that tickets are on sale through to August so you can book ahead for your summer trip now. Make a booking now!
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It's that time we've all been waiting for, the Zoos are re-opening and you can now book your early bird tickets for a great day out!
The animals are so excited to welcome visitors back. At ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, visit their youngest elephant Beth with her family, and if you're lucky you might catch a glimpse of nine-month old Red panda cub, Nilo.
And at ZSL London Zoo, come and meet the new tigress, Gaysha, and see how much six-month-old okapi, Ede has grown.
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