Britain's zoos need to “significantly raise their standards” a leading charity has urged, claiming they are “a very mixed bag”.
Born Free is calling on the Government to reform the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, which covers more than 300 attractions.
Head of animal welfare and captivity, Dr Chris Draper, said: “Britain has a large number of licensed zoos and they’re a very mixed bag, from household names to farm parks with exotic animals and falconry centres.
“Now the Government has made available £100 million of taxpayers’ money to zoos in the wake of the pandemic, Born Free is calling for an urgent review to make the multi million pound zoo industry more accountable, transparent and humane.”
The charity has released a film, Creature Discomforts, with people reflecting on lockdown and linking it to how many wild animals will spend their whole lives stuck behind bars.
Born Free is also concerned about zoos culling healthy animals for questionable conservation reasons.
Since the pandemic, several zoos have said they are considering culling animals because they can no longer afford to keep them.
Dr Draper also wants inspection reports and species stocklists published, including data on causes of death.
Details on deaths do not have to be declared, while inspection results are available only through a complex Freedom of Information process.
Licensing should also be done by a central body with a permanent zoo inspectorate, the charity believes, instead of local authorities.
Dr Draper said the licensing act was a progressive step back in the 80s.
But he added: “Time has marched on and it’s clear more is needed to meet the complex needs of animals in zoos and avert a welfare crisis, while allowing people to make judgments on whether zoos are contributing meaningfully to conservation.”