Trustees of an animal charity that owes £1m to the government have said they are planning cost-cutting measures including staff redundancies.
Wild Planet Trust, responsible for the operation of Paignton and Newquay zoos in the southwest of England, said in a statement that it has prepared a “rescue package to ensure the future viability of these institutions”.
This follows a “series of crippling challenges”, with operational costs for both zoos amounting to £1m per month, the trust said.
Trustees are committed to stabilising the zoos’ operations, the statement reads, and a series of investments and improvements are planned for both zoos.
The trust has spoken to local council, business and tourism leaders to inform them of its situation and explore potential partnerships.
It said there is no immediate threat to the zoos and the welfare and safety of the animals and staff remains its top priority.
According to the charity’s most recently filed accounts, it recorded a deficit for the financial year ending 31 October 2022, with its total income at £11.8m and expenditure at £12m.
‘Decision hasn’t been taken lightly’
The charity said it still owes over £1m to the government for a loan taken during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Additionally, avian influenza resulted in over £1m in lost revenue in 2022, and the cost-of-living crisis has further decreased visitor numbers and income.
Stephen Kings, interim executive chair of the charity, said: “Unfortunately, the combination of Covid-19, avian influenza, and the cost-of-living crisis has resulted in fewer visitors to our zoos over the past few years.
“It’s often forgotten that we’re a charity purely funded by our supporters, members and visitors.
“Therefore this has forced the trust to cut costs, which inevitably means redundancies.
“This decision hasn’t been taken lightly. We consider ourselves a family at the zoo, but we have no option but to review our staff and operating costs.”
Kings also appealed to the public to help the charity fund refurbishments to its zoos.
“We’re working specifically to raise capital funding to refurbish the large mammal house, rehouse the baboons, reopen the currently closed croc swamp at Paignton, to extend old buildings to provide better accommodation for animals, develop the penguin pool, and remove the overgrown maze at Newquay,” he said.
“We have many other improvement plans in place for future developments so therefore need the support of everyone who loves our zoos.”
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