Devon Zoo Closes Down for Good
Dear John,
A zoo in England has shut its doors for good. Living Coasts zoo in Devon has said falling visitor numbers and now the impact of lockdown has hit them financially.
This news is welcomed by us at Freedom for Animals as we strive to see a world without animals kept in captivity for public entertainment. But of course, as when any zoo or captive facility needs to close, we have concern for what will happen to the animals there.
Read more here: https:/www.freedomforanimals.org.uk/news/devon-zoo-closes-down-for-good
For the best outcome for the animals we would want to see them being rehabilitated and released to the wild where possible or sent to sanctuaries to live out their days with respect. The killing of animals in the event of a zoo closure is never acceptable.
This highlights the need for zoos to be required to develop a proper exit plan in the event of their closure so that animals are properly cared for. This has long been a problem with the zoo industry, even before coronavirus.
Living Coasts has stated that it is working with other zoos and aquariums to rehome the animals. They have said that some native species may be able to be released, but the vast majority can't be 'without an unprecedented and substantial period of re-training'.
Unprecedented? Zoos give the impression that they carry out this work all the time. This once again highlights the exaggerated claims of zoos, who argue that they breed animals for release into the wild.
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