Excitement at the zoo

Press, 17 March 1982, Page 18

Excitement at the zoo

From

KEN COATES

in London

A feeling of controlled excitement at London Zoo has nothing to do with the giant panda expecting again, but it does have to do with the zoo's future. London Zoo and its associate, Whipsnade, are run by the famous London Zoological Society, founded in 1826. Its controversial president, Lord Zuckerman, aged 77 in May, is nearing the end of his term, and looks certain to step down. There are mixed feelings about his departure. Scientists and academics regret his leaving, pointing to his world reputation as an anatomist, and his success in attracting wealthy donors. But many zoo staff will not regret his going, Nor will outside critics who say he has concentrated on the academic role of the society, rather than an innovative scheme to bring in more money for zoos by making them more attractive to the public.

He is taxed with spending too much time and money on throwing lavish dinner parties at Regents Park Zoo, spending up to £lOOO for as few as 20 guests.

But Lord Zuckerman has seen his lavish dinners as a means of attracting rich, influential, potential donors to the zoos’ dwindling funds.'-. He has rejected ideas for improving the zoos and attracting crowds by introducing fair . grounds and sideshows, forbidden by the society’s Royal Charter. in April, 1981, a record loss of more than £500,000 was reported and the Government, in response to a plea for aid, gave £IM towards the society’s running costs.

After 154 years, London Zoo thereby lost its financial independence and its boast to be the only major zoo not financed from public funds. Establishment figures such as Lord Zuckerman, whose post is unpaid, are common in the arts, just a,s they are in science.

Many holders of the posts of president or chairman are unpaid, but there are lucrative “perks” with chauffeurdriven cars provided, as well as entertainment allowances and well appointed accommodation. .. The world in which they move is very much an “old boys’ network,” and they often have wartp relations with the Royal Family, the Church, and with leading academics and philanthropists, whose numbers, however, are declining in Britain.