Zoos open in Tier 4

[moomin11]

Was really surprised to learn that zoos and other outdoor attractions are allowed to remain open in Tier 4 - which seems completely at odds with the whole stay at home, only essential travel message!? Yet many are saying that schools should be closed. Just seems bonkers to me.

They should be open how on earth do you think these places survive and therefore the animals survive? Do people realise if their is no income at these zoos the animals will be euthanised as they cannot be released

You cannot compare an outdoor huge space to a classroom no I do appreciate that, I think it just seems a bit at odds with the stay at home only essential travel thing to me. And I do think people will travel beyond their local area to visit something like a zoo as opposed to going to a park in the next county.

@Allispretty

They should be open how on earth do you think these places survive and therefore the animals survive? Do people realise if their is no income at these zoos the animals will be euthanised as they cannot be released

The majority of zoos seem to have opted to stay shut though, and are asking for donations etc.

The zoos near us are open - Banham and Africa Alive in Norfolk. Their indoor areas are shut but most of the zoo is outside so no different than going for a walk round a park etc.

Ours is closed, although I think the outdoor parts can be open, just not indoor exhibits and cafes etc.

It's probably more to do with which businesses the government can afford to shore up whilst they aren't making money. The government had to step in with zoos during the first lockdown when talk started about them having to euthanase animals due to the astronomical costs of housing, feeding, vets bills each month despite having no revenue. I doubt the government can afford to do that again so the zoos need to be able to generate their own cash.

Also, I think the rules regarding businesses are just too vague. Some businesses state the tier system has meant they cant operate whereas an exact same business type elsewhere in the same tier remains operational due to how they have personally interpreted the 'rules'.

Hi Op
I can see both sides of this Thread/debate

Yes its looks and is yet again mixed message from our Gov !

But on the other hand
Outdoor activities are also known not to be as potential risky as indoor activities can be.

Plus the educational, element for young families with visiting Zoos/animal sanctuaries.

(Obviously keeps the children plus its a reward,like a carrot and stick idea for the general public morale to stick with lokedowns,mask wearing compliance to sustain this until the majority of public has been vaccinated sometime summer time new year 2021.

Animal wildlife Conservation is important considering all the threats to this that are out there in the wild,such as defrosteration of their habitat/Ivory trade etc..

Also Zoos/Animal sanctuaries are struggling on their knees financially and very heavily reliant on the general public to keep zoos etc maintaince running.

Is the idea that if zoos are safe we could try making schools in the same model?

It was heartbreaking to see Twycross Zoo's struggles in lockdown and the mass concern over what would happen to the zoo's livelihood, staff and the animals.

Ours is shut - they've decided it isn't viable to open with just outdoor areas - but outdoor recreation is listed as one of the legitimate reasons to leave your home in the tier 4 guidance:

People can also exercise outdoors or visit some public outdoor places, such as parks, the countryside accessible to the public, public gardens or outdoor sports facilities.

I live 20 minutes from the beach and drove there yesterday and I think that's absolutely fine under the rules, so if the zoo was open then I can't see any reason why I couldn't drive the 20 minutes (in the other direction) to go there for outdoor recreation.

@bobbiester

Great - been really looking forward to petting the bats and pangolins!

Shouldnt be funny but this made me laugh out loud.

Especially as our local zoo has closed its bay enclosure since first lockdown.

Because it's inside more than anything else!

I'm in tier 4. Our local one is open but surely can't be having any visitors because it's supposed to be essential travel only. 😒
Fwiw I don't begrudge them being open but surely someone in the government should be able to see that those 2 things don't add up!

@MrTumblesSpottyHag

I'm in tier 4. Our local one is open but surely can't be having any visitors because it's supposed to be essential travel only. 😒 Fwiw I don't begrudge them being open but surely someone in the government should be able to see that those 2 things don't add up!

Again, under travel the tier 4 rules say:

outdoor recreation or exercise. This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your Tier 4 area to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)

Obviously a short distance is quite subjective, but it is very clear that you can travel for outdoor recreation.

It’s not worth going to anyway. We are tier 3 and went Xmas eve. All indoor areas shut so couldn’t see most of the animals
And freezing cold so no animals came out. We spent £50 to see 8 animals max.

Feeding the animals is essential. The Government won’t pay to feed them

Just googled and my local one is open.

Can book for Saturday.

£15 for ds and I.

Tempting

I think it's fairly safe as long as the toilets are ventilated and no other indoor areas are open. They restrict numbers too.
We won't be going but it could be a sanity saver for people with young kids.

I don't have anything against them being open as such, I have a 6yr old that loves going to the zoo, was just surprised and felt it conflicted with the stay at home thing. I guess during the first lockdown things were much more clear cut - seem to be more grey areas this time, and restrictions not as tight. Presumably then we can go to the zoo as long as its within Tier 4. Bit bloody cold for it though!

I had to Google what a pangolin is

Chester Zoo is open but outside areas only. Thing is, people can go to shops every day if they want - and some daft folk are doing that as they want to be out and about, living their lives whereas no one's going to go every day to the zoo. It's a safe way for kids to do something enjoyable and helps fund the animals. I'm much more concerned about the risks from schools and pubs.

Went to Chester zoo recently (albeit it is not in a tier 4 area) and it is so large it felt very safe.
I agree it doesn’t exactly fit well with the stay at home message in tier 4. But otoh very important for these places to get funding to keep going. Would be an absolute disaster if they had to close and the government clearly have no intention to subsidise (see also- the arts, which are mostly inside so completely f*cked)

FFS people really want everything shuttered up and closed down don’t they! The zoo is a safe outdoor space. Travel is allowed for outside recreation. People taking the stay at home message to mean glue yourself in your house and don’t even dare open a window please crack on with that but stop passing judgment on those of us who need to get out for fresh air or perhaps don’t have the luxury of a huge house with outdoor space. I am on maternity leave and probably soon to be in tier 4, I will be getting out to whatever outdoor attractions are open as being cooped up with a baby is no good for me or them. The difference fresh air and exercise make to our day is huge even if it’s just a stroll with a friend and a takeaway coffee!

Marvell Zoo (Hampshire) is open. I would definitely go if I had small children to keep occupied.

“Marwell”

FFS people really want everything shuttered up and closed down don’t they! literally nobody on this thread has said that.