Report Summary

The Consortium of Charitable Zoos (CCZ) consists of nine leading British zoological societies. These are all charitable trusts registered with the Charity Commission. They all claim to share an ‘ethical purpose’, in contrast to privately run zoos which may differ in their mission and constitution.1

KEY FINDINGS

• CCZ zoos spent on average just 4.2% of their total annual income on in situ conservation in 2019 (excludes money received from grants) • Grant money from external sources represents at least 66% of the total financial expenditure on in situ conservation by Consortium of Charitable Zoo members • On average, 6.6% of the money received via the sale of admissions (gate receipts & memberships) appears to go towards in situ conservation • CCZ zoos had financial reserves in place to cover the costs of temporary closure for an average period of just 2.7 months.

KEY MESSAGES

The Consortium of Charitable Zoos claim to be “progressive” and “powerhouses in conservation”.

1 Throughout periods of lockdown due to COVID-19, stories have emerged of the potential impacts on conservation if zoos were forced to close permanently, including from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).2,3 Born Free’s previous report ‘Conservation or Collection’, published in May 2021, demonstrated that the majority of species held and bred by CCZ zoos are not threatened with extinction.4 This current report highlights the fact that the financial resources CCZ zoos put into in situ conservation represent only a small proportion of their total income/expenditure, especially when compared to their expenditure on new animal exhibits. The publicity generated through the development of new animal exhibits may skew public assumptions about the resources zoos devote to in situ conservation. Much of the money which is put into in situ conservation comes from external grants rather than being generated through the zoos’ operational turnover.

CCZ zoos are also poorly prepared to deal with the financial consequences of prolonged closure, such as that experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and 2021; on average, they hold less than three months’ financial reserves.

This report aims to provide clear information to the public, facilitating informed decision-making on whether to visit a zoological collection, and whether further regulatory measures are needed to improve the operation of these and all licensed UK zoos.

Born Free is calling on the government to:

• Review the Zoo Licensing Act to ensure zoos operate in a financially stable manner, that financial contingencies are in place to care for animals in the event of closure, and clear, meaningful and enforceable conservation criteria are in place which zoos are required to comply with.

To achieve this would require:

o Regular financial assessments of zoos being incorporated into the licensing and inspection process; o The creation of a Zoo Insurance Bond to ensure the care and welfare of animals at a zoo which is forced to close, and their humane dispersal to other appropriate facilities during what could be a protracted winding-up period; o The development of meaningful criteria for the in situ conservation contribution required of zoos, including a minimum financial commitment by zoos to in situ conservation, representing a proportion of the income generated via the operations of the zoo (excludes grants from external bodies).