Boss says 'financial pressure is real' for many zoos

The boss of the UK's most popular zoo says many similar venues were "thriving financially" after suggestions that nearly half were struggling.

Jamie Christon, chief executive of Chester Zoo, said "many modern zoos and aquariums are resilient" although "very real financial pressures [are] facing parts of the UK zoo sector".

Earlier this week, the BBC reported many zoos, including London, Whipsnade and Bristol, reported financial struggles as they deal with rising costs.

However Mr Christon said he believed "a single narrative does not come to define an entire sector" and "nuance matters in conversations about zoos".

Chester Zoo, which opened in 1931, attracted a record-breaking 2,136,224 visitors in 2025.

In a website statement, Mr Christon said: "Membership reached record levels, our major events sold out and our new hotel is performing strongly."

He added: "But success for us is not measured by visitor numbers alone."

He said "public engagement is not the end goal", describing it as "a means by which we fund and deliver conservation at scale".

A BBC investigation looked at 129 zoos and aquariums, which were made up of privately-owned companies and charities.

Since 2022, 40% had raised concerns about financial pressures on media platforms and in their annual accounts.

Their situation reflected challenges for the wider economy, including rising energy prices, but also specific non-negotiable costs such as animal welfare, enclosure maintenance, food quality and staffing numbers.

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), which represents more than 100 zoos and aquariums, said it was a case of "both things are true: zoos and aquariums are wildly popular and they face financial challenges".

It said its research showed cost was the main reason why families were choosing not to visit a wildlife attraction, which had consequently boosted the popularity tickets for those on low incomes.

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