Friday, 12 June 2020

Phew for the Zoo?

I am sure that many of the animal-based attractions (aquaria, bird sanctuaries and, especially,  zoos) are relieved that they can open again, with social distancing, in England from the 15th June (https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/jun/11/on-a-rollercoaster-attractions-relieved-at-reopening-says-zoo-boss). Such organisations generally have to close to the public when animal (e.g. foot and mouth) or human (e.g. Covid-19) diseases strike. It goes without saying that most of these bodies are very financially dependent on their visitors.  Visitors pay for entrance but they also spend in gift shops and food outlets (with entrance often generating the smaller proportion of the income). Of course, even when there are no visitors, the animals have to be cleaned, fed, watered and, in some cases, receive veterinary treatment. People have to be paid to carry out these activities, along with payments being made for rates, insurance, water and electrical supplies et cetera. Many bodies can only tolerate closures to visitors for a limited period of time.

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