Zoos in Crisis
ICSM Business Insolvency News: concerns for suppliers to Zoos and Wildlife Parks as financial problems mount – some go bust, sell up or close expensive tropical features
Byharrymottram
Fortunately for Paignton and Newquay Zoos they have been saved after they were bought by Dutch leisure company Libéma in December. But others have seen the gates closed and the pens and enclosures emptied as the animals are found new homes like Cleethorpe’s Zoo. In the case of Marineland in France that has proved tricky since they have two killer whales or Orcas to find homes for. Zoo animals cannot be released back into the wild (or sea) as they are used to being fed and looked after and would die fairly quickly if forced to fend for themselves in most cases.
Dartmoor Zoo gained a surge in visitors when a rare leapard cub was born called Zeya in 2025
Visiting a zoo is something many families will do when their children are young – but with the Cost-of-Living Crisis – those visits which may have been every summer and Easter holiday are cut. That means the gift shops and cafes at zoos see less trade and less income and like all businesses staffing costs with national insurance increases can push them into deficit.
“Most businesses that fail have a number of contributing factors,” said Ian Carrotte, “but for zoos if income falls, they still have fixed costs such as animal food and maintenance – if a pet dog can run up a vet’s bill think of the medical costs for lions and elephants. And if the owners fail to maintain those standards of animal health then problems quickly arise as happened at South Lakes Safari Zoo which closed having been fined hundreds of thousands of pounds in the past for allowing many of their animals to die from neglect.”
Image shows Chester Zoo’s gift shop. Those cuddly toys help to fund the upkeep of the animals. Main picture is from Cleethorpe’s Zoon, now closed down
Covid’s shutdowns didn’t help back in 2020 but zoos can go in and out of fashion with the emphasis today on education which may not be such a draw as seeing tigers and giraffes up close. However publicity created by the birth of a rare leopard cub at Dartmoor Zoo last year and an okapi at Chester Zoo make headlines – and boosted visitor numbers. So sometimes a bit of PR surrounding an unusual animal can come to the rescue of a zoo struggling to pay its bills.
Struggling with Late Payers or Bad Debt?
ICSM offers expert credit management and debt recovery solutions that help businesses like yours get paid fast.
• Free online suite of legal letters and final demands • Specialist team ready to recover unpaid invoices • Polite, professional mediation to preserve customer relationships • Hardline legal options when needed • Late payment interest, compensation, and fees recovered under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations 2002
Why Act Early? Passing overdue accounts to ICSM early increases your chances of full recovery. Our multi-channel approach—calls, emails, and letters—ensures the right message reaches the right people at the right time. We understand that non-payment often stems from miscommunication. That’s why we focus on resolving issues while protecting your reputation.
• Email the CEO: [email protected] and request to recieve the ICSM newsletter which lists firms that are in trouble • Call: 01454 322234 • www.icsmcredit.com • Express Park, Bridgwater, Somerset, UK
Follow us on Facebook at (20+) Facebook and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/iancarrotte/recent-activity/all/