A Devon zoo that was forced to close due to the pandemic has admitted it may have to euthanise animals if suitable new homes cannot be found. The Wild Planet Trust said it cannot afford to reopen its Living Coasts site in Torquay because of the huge costs incurred during lockdown.
The zoo is home to hundreds of animals, mostly marine species such as penguins, otters and seals. In a Q&A on its website, the trust discussed the difficult decision it could face if homes cannot be found for all its animals. It stated: 'Our priority is the welfare of our animals. In the unlikely event that we cannot find housing that suits their needs, we may need to make the difficult decision to euthanise. As things stand, we do not anticipate that this is a likely scenario.'
The trust is using its worldwide network of zoos and aquariums to find new homes for the animals. Some may be reintroduced into the wild, but for most this will not be possible as they were born at Living Coasts and would not cope with life in the wild. All 44 staff members have been placed at risk of redundancy.
The trust also warned that Newquay and Paignton zoos risk closure due to falling visitor numbers and depleted cash reserves. Although English zoos can now reopen, strict social distancing rules limit daily visitor numbers. The trust thanked supporters and said it remains dedicated to conservation.
