The Torquay visitor attraction Living Coasts has is to close with 44 workers at risk of redundancy and the future of its animals now uncertain.
The owner of the coastal zoo said the closure decision had been made due to falling visitor numbers and the forced shutdown due to the coronavirus crisis.
The attraction is owned by Wild Planet Trust, which also owns nearby Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo, in Cornwall.
A statement from the trust said: "It is with regret that Wild Planet Trust has to announce that it will not be re-opening Living Coasts as a visitor attraction following its closure during the current global coronavirus pandemic.
"Falling visitor numbers and the forced closure of all its zoos due to Covid-19 has meant that it has had to look at its cost base and make efficiencies.
“After nearly 20 years of operation the site also needed substantial maintenance that the trust is no longer in a position to afford.
"The next stage is to find homes for the animals. Living Coasts is part of a world-wide network of zoos and aquariums and we will be looking for homes for the animals within them once movement restrictions have been lifted. But the trust warned that finding new homes for animals could be a lengthy process. Most of the animals kept at Living Coasts are marine species that will need specialist facilities.
“Living Coasts is confident that good new homes for the animals will be found, but at present it is unclear how long this process may take.”
The statement continued: “All 44 staff at Living Coasts have been placed at risk of redundancy. This will be considered within the context of the wider restructuring of the Trust’s zoos, and potential redundancies at their other sites (Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo).
"Wild Planet Trust would like to thank the many people who have visited and supported Living Coasts over the years, and the many businesses, and grant giving trusts which have support our vital conservation work."
Living Coasts was opened in 2003 by Princess Anne and was the UK’s only coastal zoo and aquarium. Dedicated to the conservation of marine and coastal environments, Living Coasts's attractions included African and macaroni penguins, fur seals, otters, puffins and other coastal creatures
The zoo said it is hopeful of finding new homes for all its animals, and stressed euthanasia would be considered only as a last resort if they can't be re-homed.
"Our priority is the welfare of our animals. In the unlikely event that we cannot find housing that suits their needs, we may need to the make the difficult decision to euthanise," the trust said. "As things stand, we do not anticipate that this is a likely scenario.”
