Highland Wildlife Park warns not opening this summer will be financially disastrous
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The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland will be ready to reopen the Highland Wildlife Park by Kincraig before the end of the month if lockdown eases further.
The RZSS also wants to re-open Edinburgh Zoo which it also owns.
It has warned that if both attractions remain closed over the summer months then it could be financially disastrous.
A wide range of safety measures to protect visitors and staff is being put in place by the wildlife conservation charity to pave the way for the re-openings.
The RZSS has also revealed that it has had to borrow £5 million due to the coronavirus pandemic because of the closure of both parks.
Chief executive David Field, who joined RZSS from the Zoological Society of East Anglia earlier this week, said: “We are talking to the Scottish Government and hope we can reopen within the next few weeks if Scotland moves into the next phase of lockdown and outdoor attractions can open again.
“Concerns have been raised by zoos in England which have been told the earliest they can reopen is in July, even though private gardens have already opened.
“Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park have large outdoor spaces and we can reopen safely by introducing social distancing, closing indoor areas, limiting visitor numbers and selling tickets online with time slots.
“Zoos with these covid-secure restrictions will be just as safe as private gardens and far safer than a crowded beach or public park.
“The many educational, physical and mental health benefits of visiting zoos and enjoying nature are also well known, which is why zoos in Europe have been among the first places to reopen.”
Mr Field revealed the pandemic has already caused heavy financial losses for RZSS.
“Almost all our income comes from our visitors and around 65 per cent from April to August,” he said.
“We have furloughed staff and our generous supporters have raised funds to help feed our animals but we have still had to borrow £5 million.
“The UK government has stepped in to help smaller zoos protect animal welfare through the zoo emergency fund but unfortunately RZSS and other large, charitable zoos are not eligible to apply for this support.
“Repaying our multi-million pound loans will have a significant impact on our parks and our globally important conservation activities.
“If we cannot reopen soon then we will need to borrow even more which could be financially disastrous.
“When this crisis is over, connecting with nature and being close to animals is going to be more important than ever. This is why it is vital that our parks open again and we can recover to continue our science, education and conservation work.”
Zoo and safari parks in England were ordered to remain closed in a new statutory instrument which came into force on 1 June 2020. This legislation does not currently apply in Scotland and it remains unclear when zoos will be able to re-open.
Even while closed to visitors, Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park still need almost £700,000 per month to keep going.
To donate go to rzss.org.uk/help
Images of David Field and animals at both parks are available at the following Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/427xep2h9szz8gr/AAC0UwL6HTIaWD1qppOHs9t1a?dl=0
