MP appeals to both UK and Scottish governments to give financial help to Edinburgh Zoo

MP Christine Jardine has called on both the UK and Scottish governments to step in and support Edinburgh Zoo to stave off financial troubles brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and fears its pandas may have to be returned to China.

She said the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which owns the zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park, stood to lose £400,000 by having to close both sites for the whole of this month due to new lockdown restrictions and a further £500,000 if they had to remain shut throughout February.

The society has said it lost around £2 million last year after having to shut down for three months and despite taking a government loan, furloughing staff, making redundancies and launching a fundraising appeal, its finances were still stretched.

RZSS chief executive David Field said at the weekend the charity would have to "seriously consider every potential saving" including their giant panda contract, which costs about £1m a year.

He added: "At this stage, it is too soon to say what the outcome will be. We will be discussing next steps with our colleagues in China over the coming months."

Edinburgh West MP Ms Jardine has previously written to UK environment minister Zac Goldsmith, asking him to support conservation and is awaiting a response.

Now she is appealing to politicians in charge at both Holyrood and Westminster to throw a lifeline to one of Edinburgh’s most popular attractions.

The Lib Dem MP said: “I was so disappointed that the day after I had enjoyed the zoo’s Christmas Nights event it was forced to close again and is now warning that they may have to return the pandas next year.

Male panda Yang Guang and his mate Tian Tian may have to return to China

“That would a significant blow to the city’s indeed Scotland’s tourist industry and undermine what is a fantastic educational facility on our doorstep in Corstorphine.

“We know money was released last summer to support small zoos, and that ours did not qualify, and that the support from both governments last year was only a short-term solution.

“The situation has now changed for the RZSS, as it has for all of us, and both governments now need to do something to safeguard its future.”

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