Whipsnade Zoo reopens with a crash
As lockdown restrictions are eased venues like zoo's can reopen
The Bedfordshire Zoo has reopened after closing for lockdown.
Whipsnade Zoo has reopened with a crash as the animals enjoyed a display set up by the staff.
A group of Southern white rhinos (also known as a ‘crash of rhinos’) were given their breakfast next to the 1.5m tall sign, made of stacked cardboard boxes.
It wasn’t long before the oldest of the group, 39-year-old Clara, decided to lead them all in some morning mayhem.
Within minutes, the sign depicted a jumble of letters, which the rhinos enjoyed investigating in a leisurely way over their breakfast of hay.
The sign was created to welcome back visitors and members to the UK’s largest Zoo after its closure of more than three months, due to nationwide Covid restrictions.
Team leader Mark Holden said:
“It is such an exciting day for us to be re-opening Whipsnade Zoo’s gates after restrictions prevented us from sharing our huge, outdoor site and its 3,500 incredible animals with our visitors.
“Clara and our other rhinos may be in a playful mood, but sign or no sign, the hardworking keepers and staff at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo will ensure every visitor knows how happy we are to see them once more, and how much we appreciate their support through such a difficult year for ZSL.”
With the closure of its zoo's ZSL, the international conservation charity behind the Zoo, estimates a loss of around £26million.