Latest news with #BIAZA
Sunday World
6 days ago
- Sunday World
Volunteer locked in with lions at zoo still waiting on compo
Voluntary zoo worker's case yet to be resolved by Belfast City Council There had been speculation in recent days that the council had finally reached a settlement with the unpaid worker who was left face to face with a Barbary lion after being accidentally locked in the lions' cage. It has been almost a year since the incident and it is understood the negotiation for damages and compensation has been complicated with issues surrounding the zoo's insurance and the victim's aftercare in the wake of the traumatic incident. At the time the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) confirmed it was working with Belfast Zoo after incident. An immediate investigation was launched which centred on how such a glaring error could have happened, an error that put the victim's life at risk. At the time a spokesperson for BIAZA, which represents the best zoos and aquariums in the world, said it was aware of the incident, and was actively engaging with Belfast City Council. 'The zoo has informed BIAZA that Belfast City Council, which owns and operates the zoo, is undertaking an investigation,' they added. The professional body is a member of both the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. It collaborates with its members to further conservation science, natural history, and environmental education and animal welfare around the world. According to a source familiar with details of the incident, the person involved was initially in the enclosure alongside a member of staff. 'The lions were originally kept in their den while (the individual) was in the enclosure with a more experienced staff member,' he said. They said that the experienced employee then left the paddock. The gate was locked and the animals were free to move around — meaning the person was 'locked in' with the lions with 'nowhere to go'. The lion enclosure Belfast Zoo is home to a pride of Barbary lions which includes one male lion named Qays and two females, Fidda and Theibba. The breed is one of the largest sub-species and is extinct in the wild. The last picture of a wild Barbary lion, favoured by the Romans in the amphitheatres of the empire, was taken in the mountains Morrocco in 1925. 'This big cat measures one metre in height at the shoulder and up to three and a half metres in length,' the zoo's website states. 'Average weight can be up to 230 kilograms.' Sources close to the Zoo told the Sunday World that a settlement was close but this week in response to a query from the Sunday World , the council confirmed the issue was 'unresolved'. Belfast City Council, which owns the facility, previously confirmed a probe was under way. 'Council is aware of an incident at the lion enclosure at Belfast Zoo earlier this month,' a spokesperson said. 'We take the safety of all our staff, visitors and animals very seriously, and an investigation is under way into the circumstances of this incident. 'We cannot comment further while this is ongoing.' Belfast Zoo participates in the Department for Communities' JobStart Scheme which is designed to allow unemployed 50 to 64-year-olds a chance to gain skills and experience in the workplace. It also runs a number of apprenticeship programmes — it is understood the person involved was participating in one of these initiatives.
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
New froglets leap into the world at Amazonia in M&D's
The large nocturnal tree frogs would naturally be found in the Amazon rainforest. A tropical indoor forest in Lanarkshire has successfully welcomed 30 Amazon milk froglets into the world. Following a carefully controlled breeding programme, raised from a group of five adults, they are now doing well at Amazonia. The large nocturnal tree frogs would naturally be found in the Amazon rainforest in South America, not the facility based in M&D's Scotland's Theme Park. Their name refers to the milky white secretions that they release when they feel threatened, however such behaviour is rarely seen in captivity. As members of BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria), Amazonia works with other zoological collections all over the UK, where the froglets are now being moved on to, including collections in Leeds, Northumberland and as far south as London. Amanda Gott, Amazonia manager and zoologist said: 'There are various types of zoo breeding programmes, and it is very important that zoos cooperate in captive breeding, not only for the survival of the species but for educational purposes too as often zoos are the only place many people will get the chance to encounter these fascinating creatures. 'Amphibians across the globe, such as frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians, face a range of threats in the wild, including habitat loss, climate change, disease and pollution. It is therefore critical for their survival that they are protected and, as with many animals, zoos play a vital role in their conservation.' Located within M&D's Strathclyde Theme Park, Amazonia is a temperature-controlled tropical indoor forest and home to over 60 species. It offers a unique place for fun and learning where the whole family can marvel at monkeys, parrots, snakes, frogs, tarantulas and much more. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Zoos much more than entertainment, say industry leaders
Zoo and wildlife park leaders at an annual conference have said the industry was "much more than entertainment" in today's British & Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums met at Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park near Ipswich for its annual conference, bringing together representatives from across the comes after the government introduced new legislation to raise standards and ensure conservation efforts were being Doherty, owner of Jimmy's Farm and TV presenter, said the industry should "always be striving to do better". "The days of when you got to a zoo or a wildlife part for entertainment, they're still there to have a day out, but it's much more than entertainment," he said."I'm very keen to get that across to people because there still is an anti-side to it, but actually the work that zoos and wildlife parks do to preserve our wildlife and habitats is vital."Particularly now under so much pressure, in terms of destruction of habitats, but also climate change." Mr Doherty's farm and wildlife park is home to four polar bears as well as many other of the polar bears was rescued by Jimmy's Farm from Sweden as it was due to be euthanised. The park is also a part of various breeding programmes and conservation research encouraged people to find out more about all zoo's conservation work and he believed the new government legislation would ensure standards were kept legislation updates rules for keeping animals in zoos, including having larger habitats for elephants, the removal of being able to touch fish and cephalopods at aquariums, and phasing out the practice of tethering welfare minister Baroness Hayman said the reform was "long overdue"."We're making sure all sectors have the tools they need to thrive, which is vital in our mission to deliver economic growth and make lives better for people across the country under our Plan for Change," she said. Tyler Whitnall, a director of Hertfordshire Zoo and a trustee of Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, said the new legislation would "bring everyone to a higher table".He added: "[It will] hold everyone to a much higher standard to protect the species in our care, but also what we're doing for conservation in terms of protecting these species in the wild."But also in terms of making sure our teams on the ground are looking after the animals, have the right information and are accountable, so we can make sure that zoos going forward are all good zoos."Without the work that good zoos are doing, most of these [endangered] species would be extinct already." Chris Brown is the head of conservation, science and education at Sea Life, which has centres in Great Yarmouth and Hunstanton in believed those in the industry were "excited" by the government's new legislation."I think we've got an incredible responsibility having animals in our aquariums and zoos, and it's really important to be able to educate the public, but also utilise our aquariums and zoos to be able to advance conservation, research and education," he said."The new zoo standards really make that easier to be able to show and evidence what we do for it."So it's something that's been done for a long time, but not always been able to show the impacts that we're having." 'Not far enough' The RSPCA said in May that it welcomed the government's new legislation, but felt it did not go "far enough to protect every animal".Dr Ros Clubb, head of the RSPCA Wildlife Department, said the charity felt elephants did not belong in zoos, while it was still concerned for animals which were handled, including crabs and starfish, which were not included in the charity did welcome the phasing out of tethering of birds of prey, which it said deprived them of their "freedom to fly and exercise"."A fundamental understanding of the welfare needs of all animals is so important," Dr Clubb added."Zoo visitors should be educated about animal welfare so they are encouraged and informed about how to be kind and compassionate to animals they interact with."Wildlife welfare charity Born Free said last month that "zoos can never fully provide for the complex needs of most wild animal species", and it would "continue to call for the revision of zoo licensing and inspection processes to ensure the animals that are kept are afforded the best possible care". Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Zoo animals to get more space in 'long-overdue' welfare changes
Zoos and aquariums are set to get "long-overdue" reforms for the first time in a decade. New standards published by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) include better protecting a range of species, including "the majestic snowy owl and golden eagle", "iconic elephants", and "wonders of the sea" such as sting rays and octopuses. The government's plans, described by animal welfare minister Baroness Hayman as "ambitious", have a two-year will oversee several reforms, including elephants being given larger habitats, and ending practices such as letting visitors touch fish and cephalopods, including rays and octopuses. Baroness Hayman said: "We are a nation of animal lovers, and our best zoos and aquariums are truly world leaders in setting the standard for how wild animals should be kept. "Today's long-overdue reforms lay the foundation for an even stronger, even more compassionate future for all zoos and aquariums - and the animals they protect. "This is the first step as part of our commitment to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare reforms in a generation." Read more on Sky News: Dr Jo Judge, chief executive of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums - which represents over 130 zoos and aquariums - has said its members have been "working closely" with Defra officials to update the standards. "The new standards are a significant step up in legal requirements and cement Britain's position as a global leader for zoos and aquariums," she said. "We are delighted to see them published today, demonstrating the government's and the sector's commitment to the highest levels of animal care, and helping empower zoos and aquariums to keep leading the fight for nature."
Sky News
24-05-2025
- General
- Sky News
Zoo animals to get more space in 'long-overdue' welfare changes
Zoos and aquariums are set to get "long-overdue" reforms for the first time in a decade. New standards published by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) include better protecting a range of species, including "the majestic snowy owl and golden eagle", "iconic elephants", and "wonders of the sea" such as sting rays and octopuses. The government's plans, described by animal welfare minister Baroness Hayman as "ambitious", have a two-year timeline. It will oversee several reforms, including elephants being given larger habitats, and ending practices such as letting visitors touch fish and cephalopods, including rays and octopuses. Baroness Hayman said: "We are a nation of animal lovers, and our best zoos and aquariums are truly world leaders in setting the standard for how wild animals should be kept. "Today's long-overdue reforms lay the foundation for an even stronger, even more compassionate future for all zoos and aquariums - and the animals they protect. "This is the first step as part of our commitment to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare reforms in a generation." Dr Jo Judge, chief executive of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums - which represents over 130 zoos and aquariums - has said its members have been "working closely" with Defra officials to update the standards. "The new standards are a significant step up in legal requirements and cement Britain's position as a global leader for zoos and aquariums," she said.
