20/12/2022: Animal conservation work applauded by Breckland Council

Banham Zoological Gardens has been awarded a new zoo licence by Breckland Council, after passing a recent inspection by council officers with flying colours.

The council's inspectors applauded the popular East Anglia attraction for its outstanding work in helping to educate people around biodiversity and the high standard of animal care.

By law, zoos are required to obtain a new license every few years. Council inspections look at how the site is suitable for the animals kept there, the standard of animal care, the safety of enclosures for the animals and visitors, how the site helps educate people about biodiversity, and steps taken by the site owners to stop pests getting into the zoo.

Cllr Helen Crane, Executive Member for Executive Member for Waste, Environmental Health, Licensing & Sustainability at Breckland Council commented: "I would like to congratulate the staff and volunteers at Banham Zoological Gardens for their exceptional animal welfare and conservation work which I know is helping to inspire the next generation of conservatists within community".

Set in 50 acres of idyllic Norfolk countryside, Banham Zoological Gardens, run by the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA), is a national conservation hub committed to preserving wild futures, engaging the public, sustaining the environment, and ultimately inspiring the next generation of leaders within conservation.

Claudia Roberts, Chief Executive for Banham Zoological Gardens, commented: "The inspection is rightly a very thoroughly process and we are delighted to have received such great feedback from Breckland Council.

"It's been a difficult time for the charity recently, first coping with the financial pressures of covid closures and more recently the financial pressures of the energy and cost of living crisis. However, we are very thankful for the Government support from the Covid Zoo Animal Fund, ongoing support from Breckland Council, and of course support from all the guests who visit us throughout the year to see the animals and learn about them and their habitats."