Jobs under threat at two Kent animal parks

Staff are facing redundancies at two animal parks because of "rising operating costs".

Howletts Wild Animal Park, near Canterbury, and Port Lympne Reserve, in Folkestone, both in Kent, employ more than 550 staff, plus another 100 seasonal workers.

The parks, run by animal conservation charity Howletts Wild Animal Trust, have begun a consulation with workers. It is unclear how many jobs could go.

A spokesperson said: "Like many businesses across the tourism and hospitality sectors, we must respond to the current economic climate and rising operating costs.

"To protect the long-term future of the organisation and its vital work, we have unfortunately begun a workforce consultation, but we are committed to keeping any necessary redundancies to the absolute minimum."

The charity is involved in protecting and breeding endangered wildlife, and relocating them to their natural habitats.

The news comes after Howletts announced in May rewilding opportunities it had been exploring overseas for its elephants had been unsuccessful.

As a result the herd, it said, would remain in place for the foreseeable future and work had started to create a new elephant house.

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