Dartmoor Zoological Park's director set to sell home to fund business
THE director of Dartmoor Zoological Park is to put his house on the market to fund investment in the business after the company that ran it went into liquidation.
The zoo, at Sparkwell, in the South Hams, remains open and a new operating company has since been set up to run it after problems with obtaining further finance forced the previous operating company out of business.
Ben Mee, whose mother, Amelia, bought the zoo in 2006, said the firm's bank refused to extend its credit and then cut the level of its overdraft facility from £70,000 to £50,000.
"It has forced the operating company into liquidation which is insane," he said. "The zoo is still open for business and the liquidation cost £12,000.
"Small creditors like the guy who supplies the coffee and the knackerman who serves local farms, those guys are now going to have to wait for payment because the bank wants theirs first."
The operating company went into liquidation on August 11, with the zoo licence and insurance transferring to the new company the same day.
A creditors meeting was held for the former operating company on Friday.
Mr Mee said he felt let down by the banking system although he said he preferred not to name the bank involved.
"It's a situation that I see it as being exacerbated by the way that banks have behaved. It reduces confidence in the whole business situation," he said.
Ironically, the business is likely to receive a cash boost next year when a major Hollywood film charting the story of the Mees' acquisition of the zoo is released.
The film is set to be directed by Cameron Crowe with A-listers including Ben Stiller and Matt Damon in the frame to play Ben.
It will be based on Ben's book, We Bought a Zoo, which chronicles the family's decision to buy the run-down wildlife park as well as its sadness when Ben's wife, Katherine, died of cancer in 2007.
In a deal agreed with the producers, 20th Century Fox, the family will receive five per cent of the film's takings with the global interest it generates likely to trigger huge numbers of extra visitors.
Since the new operating company was set up, it has changed banks but does not now have access to credit.
Mr Mee said that it was able to cover operating expenses but that to pay for additional costs such as marketing to attract visitors and new stock for its shop, he would be putting his home on the market.
He said that he was unsure about where he would live after its sale — although living with his mother in the run-down house at the zoo was an option.
Mr Mee said the investment was needed to develop indoor facilities like a soft play area so the zoo could pull in visitors when it was raining.
"This year it has rained in July and August and that is going to be a long-term problem — we have to develop more indoor areas things like soft play areas that mothers can take their children to and that takes money," he said.
With the recent run of bad summers and the recession, Mr Mee admitted he sometimes questioned his family's decision to buy the zoo.
"On a bad day, I can't see the end of my arm because of the fog — and that's in July — and I'm opening letters from the bank," he said.
But seeing the animals compensated for this.
"On a good day it is so very rewarding," said Mr Mee.
18 Comments
View all
by Julie Sage, Chatham
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 9:26PM
“Thank God for zoos and conversation projects that give endangered species a chance of survival. I would agree with Mick that it is preferable for all animals to live in their natural environment but that's shrinking by the second. Good luck Ben and Co with securing DZP for the future. Our prayers and best wishes are with you.”
by Jessica, Plymouth
Wednesday, August 25 2010, 2:50PM
“Micks comments are disgusting, he enjoys watching videos of people being hurt? Madness or attention seeking? I'm not quite sure. Don't think we should waste any more time on his pathetic views.
On a happier note, I have visited the DZP and had a lovely day (even in the rain!) It is clear to me that the animals are well looked after and zoos are a necessity for conservation.
Good luck to Ben and his family, don't give up!!!”
by anon, plymouth
Tuesday, August 24 2010, 8:03PM
“yes im sure the people who visit the zoo 100 times a year can instead save up for a trip abroad to go on a safari, lucky them, but for us normal people who only go about once or twise a year we might just have to continue going to the zoo in order to see the animals as its just not the same as on the telly. Feel free to have your opinion, i hope one day you can go to africa and bask in the glory of seeing a buffalo being eaten alive but generally i just wanted to tell you to stop laughing at keepers getting attacked at work usually by animals that are just having a bad day like they would in the wild. And in answer to your earleir question what do people learn from zoos, i would suggest you visit one for yourself and read a sign!!!!”
by Mick, Barbican
Tuesday, August 24 2010, 2:29AM
“Anon quote- "the millions of people who visit zoos and learn about the animals"
I can't see there's much to learn from gawping at an animal in a cage. Far better for people to save up their pennies and go on a photo-safari trip once a year to Africa or wherever to see them in the wild where they belong.
Or they can even watch wildlife docus on TV such as the sensational 'Battle of Kruger' video on youtube where lions grab a young buffalo, then a croc pinches it off them, then the buffalo herd rescues it.
You don't see stuff like that in a zoo..:)”
by anon, plymouth
Monday, August 23 2010, 10:32PM
“mick, that is your opinion and i understand that alot of people share it, but many more people enjoy zoos and dont feel that the animals are suffering hence the zoo licencing process which is strictly regulated by organisations like BIAZA to protect the animals welfare. If zoos are on the way out as you seem to believe then that will be an unfortunate outcome for the thousands of people who are employed in zoos around the country and the millions of people who visit them and learn about the animals. I myself developed a passion for animal care when i was young and visited local zoos and if zoos do cease to exist i would be quite happy to move onto charitable work for animals in the wild a cause which i assume you would prefer.”
by Mick, Barbican
Monday, August 23 2010, 9:41PM
“Anon quote- "mick, thats a really unfair comment, you might not agree with zoos but zoo keepers get into the job in order to work with the animals they love"
Don't give up your day job mate because zoos and marine parks are on the way out sooner or later because of ever-growing pressure groups like The Captive Animals' Protection Society.”
by anon, plymouth
Monday, August 23 2010, 7:54PM
“mick, thats a really unfair comment, you might not agree with zoos but zoo keepers get into the job in order to work with the animals they love. zoos also contribute to conservation in the wild as part of their zoo licence and aim to keep the animals in their zoos happy and healthy. They also aim to give people a chance to see the animals they would normally never get a chance to see while educating people on the animals. If you dont agree with zoos thats your choice but no need to laugh at people getting hurt, compare zoo keepers with people who test on animals or hunt them for their organs or fur.”
by laurie watts, saltash
Monday, August 23 2010, 7:30PM
“me and my family love it there.. and we will be back to buy a yearly pass.. everly little helps, i wish more people would, i met ben and his family really nice people and i wish them all the best in the near future keep up the good work guys...”
by T, West Hoe
Monday, August 23 2010, 7:21PM
“We Bought a Zoo is an amazing book and we love DZP for family outings.
Wishing the Mee family all the best and many years at Sparkwell.”
by Bryn, Plymouth
Monday, August 23 2010, 5:02PM
“He can't blame the bank for not wanting to lend money based on income he "might" get from a film. The film may well be a flop as many are and the expected income may not materialise.”