UK zoos have remained closed since lockdown commenced which has caused financial strain on all zoos across the country. As they are charities, they rely solely on the income of visitors and donations. Non essential expenditures they can reduce - the cost of the daily care for animals they cannot. They are struggling to survive within the current climate, receiving no financial aid from the government during this time of crisis.

As other public places begin to open, the zoos have been told to remain closed despite the fact that they are full of open spaces and have plans in place to implement social distancing. Dublin Zoo has been allowed to open and has shown how measures such as limiting visitor numbers and creating a one way system around the park can be successfully implemented toensure a safe environment for visitors.

It is vital that our zoos open up. The conservation work they are involved in, both within and outside of the UK, has helped prevent the extinction of many species through education and research. If they are not allowed to do so soon, many may never financially recover.