"It’s been an incredibly difficult period": Zoological Society Of East Anglia to cut jobs
The organisation, which runs Banham Zoo and Africa Alive, says 'less than 10%' of staff are affected
The organisation responsible for two of the region's leading wildlife attractions, Banham Zoo and Africa Alive, is to cut jobs.
The Zoological Society Of East Anglia says less than 10% of its 200 employees are affected, and all those being made redundant have been told.
The conservation group says the decision has been made due to rising costs, with animal welfare being prioritised.
Gerard Smith, Chair of Trustees says: “It’s been an incredibly difficult period. After surviving the pandemic, we have been faced over the past year with the cost of living crisis, energy costs, and ever increasing supply chain costs."
"The increases in the minimum wage announced last week will also significantly financially impact the cost base of the charity from April next year.
“We have to be able to maintain our high quality veterinary care and animal management.
"The Trustees, having reviewed the recent budget review for 2024/25 and the reforecasting of energy and utility bills, alongside all the other rising costs, concluded that to continue to look towards a sustainable future the redundancies at Africa Alive and Banham Zoo would be needed to protect the charity through future Winter periods due to the seasonality of the operations."
Claudia Roberts, ZSEA CEO, said: “We have informed all affected employees and are continuing to meet face to face with them."
"Like many organisations across the country, the last few years since 2020 have thrown relentless economic challenges which have had a very human impact.
"I would like to thank our whole team for continuing to be so resilient through difficult times and extend the charity’s thanks to the huge contribution made by all our colleagues and in particular those affected by the recent redundancies.”