A PLEA has been made for Chancellor Rachel Reeves not to make matters worse for West Somerset’s Tropiquaria Zoo when she announces tax measures in her Budget next month.

Tropiquaria director Chris Moiser spoke out after Saturday’s (October 4) International Zookeeper Day, created to recognise and celebrate the good work of zoo staff.

Mr Moiser said the media had been raising concerns over the economic chaos about to befall zoos, many of which faced an uncertain winter as a result of families having less to spend.

He said in the past month, Paignton Zoo had been placed on the market, both London and Bristol Zoos were making redundancies, and one in the Axe Valley was to close after 17 years at the end of this week.

Mr Moiser said: “I personally know of two others who are very close to the edge, and may be ‘pulling the plug’ at the end of the October half-term.

“I suspect the number at risk is much higher.”

Mr Moiser said increases in minimum wage, National Insurance, energy costs, and food prices all added to the running costs and while putting up admission was a logical way forward, there was a point where families found it too expensive.

He said schools were forcing the main visitor numbers into out-of-term time, and UK accommodation prices forced many holidaymakers to go overseas.

Mr Moiser said zookeeping was a vocation with many staff paid close to minimum wage rates, choosing the role over more mundane, better paid jobs.

UK zoos were possibly the best regulated in the world, with the regulations due to become even tougher in the next two years.

Mr Moiser said to be granted a zoo licence required proving one was working toward, and active in, conservation and educating visitors.

He said: “We are possibly the only type of business required to educate without being paid for it.

“It is something most zoo people will do anyway, because of their feelings toward their work, but we have to produce the paperwork to show we are doing it.

“This obligation to educate has never really been acknowledged publicly by the Government.

“Although not legally bound, many zoos take on other roles, some supply their animal expertise locally, others assist in mental health roles.

“The calming effect of animal contact helps with many mental health conditions.”

Mr Moiser said zoos were among other leisure attractions which were also suffering, with the Eden project announcing a £3.5 million loss in the last year, and public houses and restaurants around the country closing daily.

He said: “The message is to Government, please, please, in the next Budget, do not make matters any worse for us.

“The 300-plus zoos in the UK are an essential part of the leisure industry, and a vital part of the conservation world and the education sector.

“We have struggled through Covid, helped maintain many visitors’ mental health through contact with the animals, and done the best we can to help the country continue, without threat of strikes or civil unrest.”