MSP calls for early re-opening of Highland Wildlife Park
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart has asked today if the Highland Wildlife Park by Kincraig could be permitted to open early and also be given financial support to weather the coronavirus financial storm.
After the ministerial statement on COVID-19 and tourism was delivered by Fergus Ewing in the chamber at Holyrood this afternoon, Mr Stewart said “One jewel in the crown for tourists is the Highland Wildlife Park.
“They are desperately looking for two things; early opening such as is planned in England, and financial support. Will the Cabinet Secretary look urgently at these two matters?”
The MSP's intervention came after he was contacted by the park’s owners seeking support for their drive to safely reopen and prevent the ‘financially disastrous’ implications of being closed over the summer months.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has advised that a wide range of safety measures to protect visitors and staff is being put in place.
The charity has had to borrow £5 million due to the coronavirus pandemic and the closure since March 22 of the Highland Wildlife Park and its sister operation, Edinburgh Zoo.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing said in the statement that an ‘indicative date’ for some tourism sectors to reopen would be 15 July however this will not apply to all tourism related ventures.
Mr Ewing, said that his colleague, Rosanna Cunningham, is looking urgently at providing financial support and that there was a very strong case which has been accepted in England.
He said there are very strong animal welfare reasons too.
Mr Ewing said “I would stress that our judgment and our cautious approach in Scotland is that it is not right just yet to open all visitor attractions to have people from all over the county travelling to enjoy them. That’s the predominant reason that the opening can’t happen sooner than it is.”
Speaking after the statement, Mr Stewart said: “I welcome the fact that financial support may be forthcoming and I hear the animal welfare considerations that must also be taken into account." However there is support for early opening of animal parks in England and I will continue to press for this in Scotland in a bid to ensure the Highland Wildlife Park in my region makes it through this financial crisis.”
Read in tomorrow's Strathy how the popular Highland Wildlife Park is facing financial meltdown if it can not re-open its gates soon.
