Lincolnshire zoo is criticised

A report is warning that the majority of English zoos, including one in Lincolnshire, are potentially not complying fully with regulations on practices and management. The charity Born Free has assessed The Jungle Zoo in Cleethorpes along with 24 others. They are all supposed to follow laws in the Zoo Licensing Act, but the study found 21 out of 25 encouraged direct contact with the animals, which is discouraged because of the risk of injury and disease. Penguins, meerkats and reptiles were being touched and held by members of the public. It also discovered two thirds of zoos visited didn’t contribute to research which benefits conservation. The amount of time Local Authorities have to enforce legislation was questioned too.