![\"Entrance](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_zoo987.jpg\")
Entrance to Dartmoor Zoo. <\/p>\n‘Many will struggle to make it through the winter’Entrance to Dartmoor Zoo. <\/p>\n
A Devon MP has launched a plea to the government to step in and save the county\u2019s zoos.<\/p>\n
Torbay<\/a>\u2019s Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling says Paignton<\/a> Zoo and Dartmoor<\/a> Zoo – along with the National Marine Aquarium at Plymouth<\/a> – are facing a growing crisis.<\/p>\n Post-Brexit restrictions on animal movements, the UK\u2019s faltering economy and the pressure of National Insurance contribution hikes are creating a \u2018perfect storm\u2019, he says.<\/p>\n Now he has written to the Environment Secretary asking her to convene an urgent summit to save Britain\u2019s zoos and aquariums.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are feeling the pressure,\u201d he said. \u201cWith families having less to spend, these attractions, often reliant on discretionary spend, face an uncertain winter.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso, being held back by delays in animal transfers, moves that once took weeks are now taking months or even years, threatening vital breeding programmes and undermining some of our region\u2019s most important visitor attractions.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Darling said it added up to a crisis in the local tourism economy, and the government should step in to fix some of the problems in animal movements around Europe caused by Brexit<\/a>.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cThe current impasse around animal movements post-Brexit is no longer just a matter for conservationists, it is a crisis affecting tourism and local economies.<\/p>\n \u201cPaignton Zoo is not only a leading conservation centre but also a cornerstone of our tourist economy. Families travel from across the South West to visit, supporting jobs in hospitality, retail, and transport.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the zoo\u2019s ability to thrive is being held back by post-Brexit red tape on animal transfers and conservation work.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the entire hospitality and tourism sector had been hit by last year\u2019s budget and the current economic situation which had created a \u2018lethal cocktail\u2019 of increased National Insurance commitments, a cost of living crisis and damaging business rates.<\/p>\n \u201cThis has particularly impacted zoos and aquariums,\u201d he said. \u201cThey often rely on increased discretionary spend in their gift shops and food outlets over summer to supplement lower footfall in the off-season.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the average family simply has less money to spend, and therefore many of our beloved zoos and aquariums are going to struggle to make it through the winter.\u201d<\/p>\n Join DevonLive’s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone<\/p>\n DevonLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us. Once you sign up for our updates, we’ll send the latest breaking news and biggest stories of the day straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community, you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’<\/a>.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the DevonLive team.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n