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Popular Highlands attraction shuts gates for a second time


By Gavin Musgrove

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The Highland Wildlife Park has been forced to close its doors for a second time because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Owners the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland confirmed the popular attraction by Kincraig was now shut until further notice.

New RZSS boss David Fielding visiting the wildlife park in his first day in the job early last summer.
New RZSS boss David Fielding visiting the wildlife park in his first day in the job early last summer.

The decision by the park's operators came in the aftermath of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announcing yesterday afternoon that mainland Scotland was effectively going into a second lockdown from midnight.

Visitors from out with the Highlands had already been prevented from visiting the wildlife park because of the Tier 4 travel ban in place in the main centres of population.

A RZSS spokesperson said the park was closed from today until further notice.

The park's website advises visitors to wait for further information before contacting them, adding: "We will email everyone with pre-booked tickets and provide further information as soon as possible."

The wildlife park first closed down in the nationwide lockdown on March 23 but the RZSS campaigned for an early re-opening as most of the park is outdoors, and therefore more difficult for the coronavirus to be transmitted.

The attraction eventually opened early summer although only to locals because of the on-going Covid travel restrictions in place through-out the country at that time before the nationwide relaxation of restrictions midsummer.

Covid protocols and one-way systems were put in place to help keep visitors safe.

The RZSS estimated that they had lost around £500,000 in the lockdown as well as having to take out £5m in government coronavirus loans to survive.

The charity has repeatedly thanked their supports for their 'amazing help and generosity' during the pandemic.

The spokeswoman said: “People can help care for our animals and protect threatened species in Scotland and around the world by donating on our website.”


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