Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill

The importance of global conservation work involving staff of Chester Zoo has been highlighted by a local MP.

Justin Madders told fellow Parliamentarians that Chester Zoo is a worldwide leader in conservation work. “It is developing a master plan to halt or reverse the decline of around 200 highly threatened plant and animal populations and has a target of improving 250,000 hectares of landscape for wildlife in at least six locations around the world.”

Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate on the long-awaited Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which he broadly welcomes, Mr Madders pointed out parts of the Chester Zoo territory lie within his Ellesmere Port and Neston constituency. “Lots of my constituents work there and it does a lot of great work with schools.

“Chester Zoo continues to be England’s most popular paid-for visitor attraction outside London and much of that success can be attributed to its visitors wanting to be a part of that conservation mission. Of course, those visitors help fund that conservation.”

Mr Madders said: “Chester Zoo welcomes the Government’s ambition to further enhance conservation standards across the sector.

“Zoos across the globe contribute more than $350 million annually to species conservation programmes in the wild, making them the third largest contributor to species conservation in the world.

“UK Zoos alone make up 10 per cent of that total—that is impressive and something we should be proud of in this country. Most of that amount comes from the large charitable zoos which receive no direct public subsidy and generate their funds by being popular tourist attractions. Chester Zoo is a good example.”

Mr Madders said UK Zoos supported more than 800 projects in 105 countries, providing direct conservation action for 488 animal and plant species. “It is vital their commitment to conservation is not hampered.”

Mr Madders praised the work of zoo staff in schools. “Chester Zoo has been working with the Ignite Teaching School Alliance to enable schools to build their curriculum around conservation. It is working with around 80 schools so far.

“I recently had the pleasure of listening to pupils from St Bernard’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Ellesmere Port about the work they have been doing with the zoo on conservation.

“I have no doubt that it is valuable work – it helps children to increase their understanding of the world around the – and I hope that very important contribution to the next generation’s understanding of conservation will be supported.”

The MP also highlighted the work of the Blue Planet Aquarium staff at Cheshire Oaks.

Welcoming the proposed animal welfare legislation, Mr Madders said: “There is a great deal of support for the Bill. I hope when the Minister responds we get a clear timetable that shows when we will see it again.”

Pictured – Justin Madders MP visited St Bernard’s RC Primary School to learn about the pupils’ work on zoo conservation.