All the changes happening at Banham Zoo in Norfolk

Here are all of the changes happening at Banham Zoo. 

1. Job cuts

The charity behind Banham Zoo and sister park Africa Alive said 20 of its employees would be made redundant due to "relentless" cost increases. 

The redundancies came just weeks before Christmas.

This is the latest round of layoffs after more than 70 jobs were cut across the two parks in 2020 - a third of the total workforce.

2. CEO resigns

Claudia Roberts resigned in December (Image: Newsquest)Claudia Roberts, CEO of the charity, announced her resignation less than a week after the redundancies were announced. 

The Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA) said her departure was partly down to "widespread abuse" she had received but gave no further detail.

Ms Roberts was in the job for around four years and claims she was a victim of "online harassment and false accusations" during her time with the charity. 

She is due to remain at the zoo "for the short term" while a new CEO is found. 

3. Birds of the World

Bird shows have been axed at the zoo (Image: Vincent Rose Photography)Banham Zoo announced that it would be ending its "beloved" bird shows earlier this month. 

More than 60pc of the team behind their shows have lost their jobs as a result with staff "heartbroken" to be leaving after working in their roles for nearly a decade. 

The decision was met with criticism by visitors to the park who started an online petition urging management to reconsider its decision. 

4. Sea Lion Bay

Banham Zoo announced the death of Filippa the sea lion (Image: Banham Zoo)This attraction has closed following the death of 24-year-old Californian sea lion Filippa.

Filippa had been at Banham Zoo since 2018 and took part in regular sea lion shows in the enclosure, showing how the mammals move on land and in the water.

Following her death, the zoo's second sea lion, Gala, was relocated to Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire due to the need for a social environment. 

Banham Zoo is currently working on plans for the future of Sea Lion Bay and will reveal these in early 2024. 

The attraction will remain closed in the meantime. 

5. New attractions

The park is planning to build on 11 acres of unused land with exhibits including a rainforest dome, butterfly house and bug enclosure, as part of an effort to exhibit more native species.

The plans have attracted criticism from some who think the zoo should focus more on exotic animals rather than species found in the UK.

The multi-million pound project is in part a response to challenges created by Brexit but the park said this will not mean a reduction in the number of exotic animals.