Hundreds of animals including penguins and seals left homeless after zoo is forced to close permanently
The Wild Planet Trust has revealed that they will not be opening its Living Coasts site even as other zoos start to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic. Living Coasts is located in Torquay Devon and is used to getting massive crowds since it is a major attraction in the region. It houses many different kinds of marine species, which include otters, seals, penguins, rays and puffins, Unilad reveals.
Given the falling number of visitors, all the Wild Planet Trust sites have been forced to shut down and to "look at its cost base and make efficiencies". Living Coasts had been attracting visitors for almost two decades and currently needs "substantial maintenance that the Trust is no longer in a position to afford".
Every single one of the staff of 44 is currently at the risk of redundancy, which will reportedly be looked at "within the context of the wider restructuring of the Trust’s zoos". It is likely there could also be potential redundancies at the Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo. The Wild Planet Trust released a statement that read, "It is with regret that Wild Planet Trust has to announce that it will not be re-opening Living Coasts as a visitor attraction following its closure during the current global coronavirus pandemic."
A member from the Wild Planet Trust, Simon Tonge said, "Unfortunately, as wage costs account for over 50% of operating costs, making posts redundant is something we are, regrettably, having to consider. Yesterday, we started a collective consultation with our staff which, including those based at Living Coasts, could result in over 100 posts being made redundant."
"The next stage is to find homes for the animals. Living Coasts is part of a worldwide network of zoos and aquariums and we will be looking for homes for the animals once movement restrictions have been lifted," BBC reported.
"Most of the animals kept at Living Coasts are marine species that will need specialist facilities. Living Coasts is confident that good new homes for the animals will be found, but at present, it is unclear how long this process may take," the statement read.
While the owners of the zoo are confident that the animals will find "good new homes", the difficult and heartbreaking decision to euthanize has not been ruled out. "As things stand, we do not anticipate that this is a likely scenario," reports said.
Post an announcement from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, many outdoor attractions such as zoos and safaris have opened. A majority of the zoos have experienced big losses such as bearing significant costs to care for the animals and losing millions of pounds of revenue.
Many fans and followers commented on social media on the news of the zoo closing. One such user shared, "Truly heartbreaking. I had the pleasure of visiting just over a year ago and had the most wonderful time. My heart goes out to everyone."
Another wrote, "There's a place in Torquay called Living Coasts, such a lovely little zoo, and they've just announced that they can't afford to reopen. I'm absolutely heartbroken for the staff, and I hope the animals find new homes soon. This year is so sh*t."