Chessington zoo reopening sells out as families return in droves from today
Chessington World of Adventures Resort has reopened its zoo for the first time since lockdown began. And despite the heavens opening yesterday the park welcomed around 600 employees and their families to "test run" new social distancing measures, which include one-way walking routes, closure of the Sea Life centre and takeaway only food options.
It has also had to reduce its visitor numbers by 50 percent. Among them to brace the rainy conditions was the Brown family, from Raynes Park, south London. Jane Brown, 48, who works for the NHS, said: “It’s really nice to do something normal as a family as opposed to sitting at home and watching endless Netflix. We were very excited to come and do it. It’s a bit odd with masks on but it will be a nice change.
“I hope it’s a sign that we’re getting back to normality but who knows? It’s a start isn’t it?”
The zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals ranging from Humboldt penguins to southern white rhinos but cousins Rebecca Gage, 12, and Lucy Large, 13 from Wimbledon, said they couldn’t wait to see the gorillas and tigers.
Rebecca said she noticed things had changed at the zoo because “for starters you are not allowed to touch the windows and you have these paw prints on the ground which shows you how to stay two metres away.”
Lucy added: “There’s a lot less people and all the rides are closed.
“I feel safe to come out because everyone is wearing their masks.”
The zoo had welcomed new arrivals during the lockdown, including some Bolivian squirrel monkeys.
Oli Whiteway, the operational zoo manager, has worked at Chessington for ten years but said he had “never experienced anything quite like” the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite shutting two days into the summer season, Mr Whiteway said the zoo had to continue to operate behind closed doors because “the animals still need the same feeding regime and veterinary care”.
Looking after the animals during the lockdown had come with its challenges, Mr Whiteway said, including implementing additional hygiene measures around the tigers and primates, who are at risk from developing coronavirus or being carriers and passing it onto humans.
But having maintained the same welfare standards as usual, he added: “Other than it being a bit quieter, I don’t think the animals have noticed.”
Tim Harrison-Jones, the site’s divisional director, said it was “great to see smiley happy children and families” again after a difficult last three months.
He said: “The last three months have been really tough for us all so to hear the news last Thursday that we could open was extremely encouraging.”
He added that since announcing the reopening, the zoo had seen “huge demand” with booked tickets sold out for the next week.