Zoo charity launches voluntary redundancy scheme

"The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has launched a voluntary redundancy scheme in an effort to reduce costs by 2m a year. The wildlife charity, which runs London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, says it has been "hit hard by the abrupt end" of USAID funding, the UK government's 40% cut to foreign aid spending, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Matthew Gould, chief executive of ZSL, has said he could not rule out future compulsory redundancies but "is doing everything possible" to avoid them."

"In an email sent to all employees, Mr Gould said ZSL had already tightened budgets, frozen non-essential recruitment, and squeezed spending, but, he wrote, "we need to go further". He said: "I wish we were not in this position. But the economic situation has got sharply worse over recent months." He added that although ZSL was "not in immediate trouble", the organisation needed to reduce annual costs by 2m "so we can weather what's coming and emerge in stronger shape"."

ZSL has launched a voluntary redundancy scheme to reduce annual costs by £2m. The charity operates London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo and collaborates on more than 100 global research and conservation projects. Funding declines include the abrupt end of USAID support and the UK government’s 40% cut to foreign aid, alongside a planned reduction of the aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3% by 2027. ZSL has tightened budgets, frozen non-essential recruitment, and squeezed spending but says further savings are necessary. The chief executive warned compulsory redundancies cannot be ruled out while the organisation seeks to avoid them. Tourism downturns and higher employer National Insurance have exacerbated financial pressures, and the government says it remains committed to international development and is modernising its climate approach.

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