Twycross Zoo is calling on the UK government to streamline animal transfer regulations to facilitate international conservation efforts. Rising costs are straining the zoo's ability to support critically endangered species, according to zoo staff.
The zoo, which houses a pair of Sumatran tigers, is facing difficulties in coordinating the relocation of a suitable male breeding partner from the Netherlands. This process involves transit through Belgium and France, highlighting the logistical challenges posed by current international trade agreements.
"We focus our efforts on the species that are the most endangered, that really need our support," stated a zoo representative. "We work with zoos all around the world, particularly zoos in the rest of Europe, because we can't do it by ourselves."
In May, the government announced legislative plans for an agreement on animal transfers between the UK and the EU. Twycross Zoo is urging the new prime minister to prioritize and expedite this initiative. The zoo's staff emphasized the need for continued pressure on the government to advance these changes.
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that the government is currently negotiating a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement with the European Union. This agreement aims to simplify the import and export of zoo animals by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and trade barriers. This process is ongoing, with work continuing alongside other European governments regarding the movement of zoo animals.