Charity issues Highland Wildlife Park SOS to Scottish Government
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The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has appealed again to the Scottish Government to find a safe way to reopen the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo, warning that the charity’s future remains at risk.
While zoos and safari parks in England can reopen from Monday but the two attractions have been told the earliest they can open is 15 July.
RZSS chief executive David Field said, “We welcome the Scottish Government’s efforts to reopen the tourism sector in Scotland because we desperately need our parks to open again.
“While we understand it is vital for lockdown measures to be eased gradually, we had hoped to open by the end of June as part of phase two, with similar safety measures to protect staff and visitors as the zoos and safari parks which will reopen in England over the next few days.
“We also expected to open before places like hotels, pubs and restaurants because our parks are ideal spaces for people and families to enjoy nature in safe outdoor environments.
“Delaying the reopening of Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park for at least five weeks means we will miss the start of the summer and lose £500,000.
“We have had to borrow £5 million overall due to the loss of our visitor income and every day we remain closed increases the risk that we will not be able to continue our wildlife conservation work.
"This includes saving the wildcat in Scotland, breeding polar bears at Highland Wildlife Park, bringing giraffes to Edinburgh Zoo and protecting chimpanzees from poaching in Uganda.”
The wildlife conservation charity has written to the Scottish Government to suggest practical ways to reopen both parks by the start of July.
“We have always been prepared to reopen initially to visitors and members from our local communities because we recognise that people travelling is a concern,” said Field.
“All around Europe, we are seeing zoos reopen safely, with many visitors travelling by car rather than using public transport and people behaving with respect and responsibility when they arrive.
“Zoos and safari parks are perfect places for people to visit as society gradually starts to reopen and we will continue to discuss these community benefits with the Scottish Government in the hope that we can open for the start of the summer.
“Reopening by the start of July will also help our charity recover because right now we are an endangered species in zoological terms.
“Everyone who loves Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park can play a part and make sure we have a bright future by giving a donation. The generous support we have received so far has been hugely appreciated.”
Strathspey MSP Fergus Ewing said: "The Highland Wildlife park is one of the leading visitor attractions in the Highlands.
"It has allowed children locally to learn about the animal kingdom and is a must see visit for tourists.
"I was pleased last week to announce as Tourism MInister an indicative restart date of 15th July, and this date has been fixed to allow enough time for travel restrictions to be lifted.
"I understand my colleague Environment Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham is working with the zoos in Scotland to see how they can be assisted through the lockdown to recovery.
"It is essential that we provide what practical support we can and I have made that view clear to my colleagues and officials in the Scottish Government."
To donate to the Highland Wildlife Park appeal go to www.justgiving.com/campaign/HelpYourPark
