Brexit and Endangered Animals

Zoos can only keep limited numbers of each animal species. If zoos become (as many do) involved in attempts to captive breed endangered species, genetic diversity of their stock can be a problem. Genetic diversity can be improved by transferring animals between participating zoos. This became much more problematic, when the UK left the European Union (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/13/brexit-threatening-endangered-species-as-red-tape-hits-zoo-breeding-programmes). There is now increased bureaucracy ('red tape') when zoo animals are transferred between the UK and the EU. Prior to Brexit, an average of 1,400 transfers took place each year between UK zoos and those in the rest of the EU. In 2021, there were only 56 such transfers. In 2022, there have been, thus far, 84. Although 'red tape' is blamed as the major disincentive, it's entirely possible that the Covid19 pandemic hasn't helped. Brexit is, however, making it much more difficult to transfer, for example, endangered rhinos and giraffes. The experience of the UK zoos is similar to that of the country's farmers, who breed and wish to sell expensive pedigree animals to Europe.