Chester Zoo Is To Remain Closed….What The….

frankp57By
Jun-4-2020
Chester Zoo
Comments Off on Chester Zoo Is To Remain Closed….What The….

Hello folks, where have you all been? Oh, hang on a mo. It’s me that’s been AWOL. Yes, a bit of an enforced absence. A long story, but I’m back to post some updates. Oy, you at the back, stop yawning!!! As it happens some storylines have been building up the last few days. So I’d better get cracking. One that stands out is the stunning news that Chester Zoo is to remain closed. The Government have announced that our worldwide tourist attraction is to remain closed indefinitely.

Chester Zoo Is To Remain Closed

Just put the Zoo’s worldwide attraction status to one side for the moment. As important as that is, but let’s also consider the fantastic conservation work that all those at Chester Zoo are involved in. What happens to that? How is that financed?

It’s not just Chester Zoo of course. All zoos are affected. London Zoo have gone so far as to say that they may need to close permanently if they don’t reopen soon.

Chester Zoo may be heading the same way it seems.

Chester Zoo Is To Remain Closed-Why?

Maybe I’ve missed it but I haven’t seen an explanation as to why Chester Zoo is to remain closed. Apart from the bigger picture explanation that we are in the middle of a worldwide pandemic crisis that is.

But so are, for example, garden centres. And so are beaches. Also, for that matter, public parks are as well.

As part of our exercising option we went for a bit of a bike ride over the last bank holiday weekend. We ended up at The Groves. In getting there we went through Grosvenor Park. Any limits on people entering the park? Nope, none whatsoever.

Anyone checking for adequate social distancing? Nope, none of that either.

What about The Groves? Any social distancing or number restrictions controls going on? Nope, not at all.

Both Grosvenor Park and The Groves were chocca.

On this basis, I’m not sure why Chester Zoo is to remain closed?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not advocating that other venues should remain closed. I’m made up that we can visit The Park and The Groves. I love those places.

But where is the consistency? One thing that Chester Zoo can offer that other places can’t is a measure of control. Don’t forget Chester Zoo have an army of staff and volunteers to administer the running of the Zoo. Including every day events and activities. And, as the car parks are huge, car parking can also be administered safely.

And, I’m sure, if any more volunteers were required, more would step forward. Quick, pass me my t-shirt and my whip. “Get back, get back, I tell you!!!” Only kidding!!!

But I’m sure you get the drift. Chester Zoo (and other Zoos no doubt) will have adequate procedures in place to make sure there are the required safety measures in place for both staff and visitors.

They could limit numbers entering. Section off and administer specific areas. Basically they could co-ordinate all the aspects of visiting the Zoo.

Tatton Park Reopened

As of yesterday, 3rd June, Tatton Park began a phased reopening programme. The parkland area and the public toilets reopened.

There are also plans to reopen the gardens for pre-booked visitors as from June 8. However, currently the farm and mansion will remain closed for now and the situation with these and other facilities, like shops and catering, will still be under review. No doubt, when the time is right these will reopen when it is safe for both staff and visitors.

So again, I’m not advocating that Tatton Park should not reopen. I’m sure the necessary checks and controls etc have been considered and are all in place. But, Tatton Park open but not Chester Zoo?

Reopening Chester Zoo Will Help In The Long Run-Won’t It?

Think about it for a minute. As I mentioned above, Grosvenor Park and The Groves were chocca on the last bank holiday. Also, as I said, it was great to spend some time there.

Maybe more people were wandering around the city centre as well. No shops open though. Or were there? Were the increased numbers in the city centre managed? As above, nope, not at all.

So then, why not have the Zoo open where some of the thousands that attended unmanaged locations could have visited the Zoo instead, where there are so many controls in place?

After all, if you could lift any of the Chester Zoo gardens and plonked it somewhere else, you could visit it without any issues.

Or put it another way. Picture this scene.

An unsuspecting and unaware punter turns up with his family at Chester Zoo and is greeted by a member of staff.

“May we come in please and have a family picnic. There’s only four of us, so we are adhering to the maximum of six criteria. It would be great to spend some quality family time in such surroundings with plenty of space and with the areas well managed no doubt“

Zoo staff member replies: “No sorry, you won’t be allowed in. You can however, pop down to The Groves and sit on a bench about a yard away from the next nearest bench. Or, you can go to The Park. I’m not sure if either of those places will be full though as there isn’t anyone there to manage it all”

Cue gobsmacked, safety conscious family heading back off to their car parked in a spacious, managed car park to try somewhere else not so secure.

So, why can’t we visit Chester Zoo gardens? I don’t get it.

With regard to the bigger picture, which option is the safer? Wandering around town with nowhere specific to visit, or visit a well controlled environment and tick a few boxes?

You will be getting your dose of exercise, enjoying some fresh air, meeting some family outdoors in a controlled, safety first environment for the first time for months maybe and helping to keep a worldwide institution ticking over.

In other words, helping to get the economy moving again. It ticks many boxes. And unticks some negative boxes when compared to other options.

And let’s not forget some other important players in this whole situation………

Chester Zoo Is To Remain Closed-What About The Residents?

Yes, what about the residents? In announcing that a controlled environment like Chester Zoo is to remain closed, has any thought been given to the residents? I mean the 20,000 plus animals of course.

Is it in their best interests to ban visitors? I don’t know. I’m not an animal expert but has it been considered? If so, let’s hear the reasons why. Surely the animals and their safekeeping is of paramount importance. How will putting a Zoo in such a predicament that it may need to close permanently be good for the residents?

That last statement applies to the whole situation really. Let someone explain to us why Chester Zoo is to remain closed. Who would that be? I don’t know, but it may well be that our local MP, Chris Matheson, is on the case. I hope so.

A request if I may, to whoever is to explain what’s happening. An MP, or someone from the media? Whoever it is, please don’t turn it into a political hot potato. So that will rule out certain (or maybe all?) TV presenters.

I know, let’s try and get Jeremy Vine on the case? Maybe he should do a topic on it on his hugely popular lunchtime Radio 2 show. (NB: I’ll email his show and see if I get a response. Hey Jeremy, did you notice that I bolded out “hugely popular” – that must get us some brownie points!!!).

Chester Zoo Is To Remain Closed-What Can We Do?

Well we can spread the word of this post to start with. Also, we can contact media outlets and ask questions. Furthermore, this morning a petition has been brought to my attention. The petition is called “KEEP CHESTER ZOO OPEN“

Here’s some more details as sent to my by the ever diligent and vigilant John from Blacon:

“Please email this petition to all family and friends if you would like Chester Zoo to remain open FOREVER and not to end up closed INDEFINITELY as the Government is presently recommending.

Thank you!

View the petition “Keep Chester Zoo Open” and sign it please.

Click this link to sign the petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/324536/sponsors/new?token=8UpP-Yhu54_WB-IoDg1f

Just to mention though, the petition is not live yet. If you click the link above, this is the message you will see:

“We’re checking this petition 5 people have already supported Lionel Patrick Tranter’s petition.

We need to check it meets the petition standards before we publish it. Please try again in a few days.

My neighbour who set up the petition will inform me when it is active to sign.

Alternatively, keep clicking on the link yourself to establish if it is yet active should you wish to sign it.”

As soon as it is live we should all sign it. So, as I say, spread the word as far and wide as you can. That includes you as well Jeremy and all your colleagues on the Beeb!!!

Thanks John for information regarding the petition.

And just to confirm again. In no way am I knocking other venues being open. I’m just saying if they are open then why not Chester Zoo?

Chester Zoo Blog Posts

Another post to add to my many Chester Zoo blog posts. This one is huge though. We all need to do our bit. Do whatever you can to spread the word. To read all my other Chester Zoo blog posts, click this link HERE.

Chester Zoo Page

Chester Zoo also has its own page here at Chester Lifestyle. This page provides even more information on our world famous attraction. You can see this information HERE. (NB: ignore the opening times information for now of course on this page).