Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner praises “nationally leading” Chester Zoo
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner has hailed “nationally leading” Chester Zoo following a visit to learn more about our pioneering conservation work.
Prominent MP for Ashton-Under-Lyne, Angela Rayner, met with our animal care teams, conservation experts and CEO, Jamie Christon, to discover more about the zoo’s ongoing efforts to prevent extinction and create a future where nature can survive and thrive.
The visit came as Chester Zoo’s voice has become increasingly prominent in Parliamentary debates, with cross-party MPs starting to draw on the conservation expertise offered by us as a wildlife charity on a range of important topics linked to protecting the environment and restoring global biodiversity.
Ms Rayner said:
“Chester Zoo is a national leader in science, conservation and conservation education that is playing a crucial role in preventing extinction both here in the UK and worldwide… At every turn, Chester Zoo represents pioneering conservation work undertaken by a nationally leading zoo.”
During the visit, we took Ms Rayner on a tour of the largest zoological building in the UK, Monsoon Forest, to share more about Chester Zoo’s work to prevent deforestation by being a driving force in changing behaviours.
She also learnt about our plans to welcome a pair of highly threatened snow leopards, joining the international conservation breeding programme for the species, and our latest project to bring an authentic African savannah with lodge-style accommodation to Cheshire, within the Heart of Africa development which is due to be unveiled in 2025.
CEO, Jamie Christon, said:
“It was great to host Angela at the zoo, and I welcome her clear commitment to the natural world. As a conservation and education charity, we continue to work with politicians of all types to offer our expertise and help to shape the policy process to build a future where nature can thrive.”