In light of the health and safety investigation launched into Yorkshire Wildlife Park by Doncaster Council, a zoo welfare expert spoke on factors to consider for a zoo reopening after a serious incident.

Professor Samantha Ward, a welfare expert on the Zoo Experts Committee as part of Defra that advises the UK government on national zoo matters, spoke in consideration of the investigation, and said: 

“Before a zoo reopens following a fatal incident, I think the most important question is not whether the physical site is safe, but whether the people and animals involved are genuinely ready.”

She acknowledged that while necessary investigations and reviews must be completed and confidence that the zoo’s emergency procedures functioned as intended, ‘equal consideration should be given to staff and animals involved’ following a serious incident.

She added: “Before reopening, staff should feel supported and as comfortable as possible, particularly those directly involved in the response. 

“There should also be consideration of how to protect staff from intense media attention, intrusive questioning and public judgement, especially if visitors are likely to seek information or discuss the incident at the location where it occurred.

“The tiger involved also deserves careful consideration, with the possibility of an increase in public attention – it might even be that this area of the park would be cordoned off for longer.”

Zoo inspectors follow the requirements set out in the Standards of Modern Zoo Practice, which establish the minimum standards expected for animal welfare, public safety, conservation and education, and the new Great Britain standards will come into force in May 2027. 

Professor Ward acknowledged the strong experience of inspectors but  stated ‘no inspection can fully replicate the realities of day-to-day operations or account for every possible human behaviour.’ 

She established: “Importantly, safety should not be judged solely by the absence of previous incidents. Zoos are dynamic environments involving animals, visitors and staff, all of whom can behave unpredictably.”

She concluded that ‘the strongest zoo safety cultures are those that continuously review and challenge their own practices.’