New zoos / zoological parks

New zoos / zoological parks
29-04-2008

Hi all,

Am new to this forum, everyone looks really enthusiastic and helpful so I thought I'd get involved.

I've always been a big animal lover. I grew up on and still live on a farm in the Midlands, Uk. I've recently graduated and am keen to take the opportunities I have and set up my very own zoological park. Starting small with a petting zoo and developing it as and when I am able.

I am big into conservation and the aim and direction I would take would be with international conservation in mind and make the park itself as eco friendly and low impact as possible.

I would love to ask if anyone has any experience of setting up a small zoo from scratch and developing it. Luckily I have the land to base it on and a good amount of animal skills, husbandry/care and welfare. What I am unsure on is licensing/regulations/help with funding and where to find information for people in my position.

I am very keen and motivate and looking to get this project going.

any help would be great.

cheers

tom

29-04-2008

Welcome to the forum Tom.
Setting up your own zoo is big undertaking. Have you looked at the DEFRA website to find out about the Zoo Licensing Act? You'll have to check the animals you propose to keep against the schedule of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act as well.You'll need to get in touch with your local council about the licence and they will send an Inspector eventually (did you see the TV series about the reopening of Dartmoor Wildlife Park?). It would probably be a good idea to see a solicitor early in the process to make sure you keep to the rules. Then there's public liability insurance to consider - and that's before you think about the accommodation for the animals and the facilities for the public.
Good luck!

Alan

__________________
When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

29-04-2008

I to am in the midlands I have been working as a keeper for the last 6years and have looked through the zoo licensing/dwa have been involved with a few zoo licences inspections and zoo ethic meetings so any help you need I will be happy to try and help.

I also have an ambition to my own place but unlike you don’t have the space to even consider it. Not to mention the money to get the idea of the ground.

I would like to concentrate on South American animals and get some Brazilian mergansers but that’s going off subject now.

Regards Shaun

29-04-2008

Good luck to you Tom.

cheers guys
29-04-2008

Thanks for your replies guys. Seems like a mammoth undertaking to be sure. I've had a look at the licenses on the defra site and i've managed to get a chap organized to come see me from the council about the setting up and possible funding. I guess a chat with a solicitor could be a plan. Think Im at the beginning of a pretty long process

Shaun, where abouts are you a keeper? I was wondering whether you know if small zoos suffer from competition between each other. That was going to be another questions of mine. how many keepers would a small zoological park need? all things im gonna have to think on a lot i reckon.

cheers again guys. ill keep you up-dated. and im sure ill have more questions.

all the best

tom

30-04-2008

I guess that would depend on the zoo's size, amount of animals etc.
Shaldon zoo in Devon is on one acre of land, has about 150 animals, and only has one keeper and the owner/director. The rest of the work is done by volunteers and work experience students (I was one lol).

30-04-2008

Please do. I have to teach my students about all these laws and licences (which is how I know a bit about them). I would be very interested to learn how they work from your point of view.

Alan

__________________
When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

30-04-2008

i work at blackbrook we are on about 35 acres and have 10 staff 6 bird keepers 3 grounds staff and 1 mammal/reptile keeper (me)
as far as competition goes i dont think its that bad really although if you are in the staffordshire area there is now blackbrook/monkey forest/drayton manor/stapley topical oasis soon to be reasheath collage and is the place in kingsley still goin or is it just a wildlife rescue now?

30-04-2008

ah cheers again guys. I've got a chap from the council coming to talk to me and im in discussion with a couple of guys from BIAZA now. will see what that turns up.

Shaun, 35 acres is a pretty good size site. I've sort of ear marked 10 acres primarily probably with a view to expand. The ground I've picked out is nice gentle bank which I think would landscape well and its pretty sheltered as its next to a good sized bit of woodland. Also with you 10 staff do u have extra volunteers to help out?

Anyone have any experience of actual design? favorable land conditions? that sort of thing?

cheers guys.

tom

30-04-2008

ah blackbrook. i see where u are might have to come take I look I reckon.

30-04-2008

yes we have volunteers however with health and safety its nr immpossible for then to do almost anything especially unsupervised.
what kinda of animals ae you considering going for? a specialisedcollection or the usuall mixed bag?

30-04-2008

hmm toughie. difficult to say what sort of collection i would gather. Having jsut come back from south america id be tempted to go that way. one of the first animals id love to get in would be come tapir for instance. the other questions will be whether to start with rare breed traditional animals along the lines of pigmy goats, llamas and work up or jsut bight the bullet and go for what I really want.

Another thing I wondered, do zoological sites like to help support it other or larger zoos like to help support smaller zoos? maybe through animal donation or sharing vet facilities/services?

and again ill bump the questions about whether anyone has any idea on the physical setting up of a zoo site, land quality, aspect, anything like that.

30-04-2008

tapirs are very nice animals i work with a brazilain tapir. in my eyes just as easy to look after as large domestic stock maybea lil more dangerous. but then tapirs are usually soft as anything. urmm not sure on ve facilities and such but you can get animal donations especially if you look into joining biaza or eaza. the internatinal zoo vet group is probly agood one to join might even be essential for zoo licencing.

land quailty and pyshical set upall comes down to what you want to keep and how you want to display your set-up do ou have msn or anything which will make it easyier to chat? pm me with details if you want

01-05-2008

Tom, may i ask where in the UK you are?

Because if you plan on only having South American animals then you must consider Cromer which also only has South American.

01-05-2008

We're based in Derbyshire. So not to close to Cromer but yah I take your point. Like I say though, I'm a way off deciding whether I'll specialise entirely. Something to think on for sure. Cheers for pointing it out.