Safari park welcomes prospect of reopening as UK lockdown restrictions ease

The U.K. government announced on Wednesday  that zoos, safari parks and drive-in theaters will reopen on June 15 as part of the easing of the coronavirus lockdown. After being closed for nearly three months, staff members at the Safari Park said the need to keep the animals well cared for meant their costs had continued to mount, despite the absence of income from visitors.

Staff member said that without financial support from banks, they would not have been able to keep the safari park open. He also warned there are still tough times ahead for some in the wider industry  - with the likelihood of difficult decisions being faced over animals. Staff said they were excited at the prospect of reopening and expect the animals to be happy to see visitors, too.