A Blue & Gold Macaw in flight. Photo: Lincolnshire Wildlife Park
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park’s parrot sanctuary has taken in many more parrots during the coronavirus lockdown, with nine at the weekend alone.
This is a big increase on the usual two or three per month that Lincolnshire Wildlife Park would take in at this time of year, as people have faced tough decisions about their pets during the pandemic.
The Parrot Zoo Trust within the park is a registered charity that houses over 1,000 birds and animals.
Other than the business rates grant of £25,000 in March, which it says barely covered two weeks overheads, the charity hasn’t received any help from the government as the pandemic continues to take its toll.
An African Grey parrot that currently resides at the sanctuary. Photo: Lincolnshire Wildlife Park
CEO Steve Nichols said: “We would usually be taking in two or three per month at this time of year, but we’re taking in as many as 10 per week presently. This weekend alone we have taken in nine.
“These are very hard and unprecedented times for all businesses and we as a charity feel the brunt more than most, but we also feel we have a duty to assist the people who, for whatever reason feel they have to part with their much loved pets in this pandemic.
“We have set up fundraising campaigns to at least alleviate some of the pressure caused by the situation.”
Blue and Gold macaws like this one currently reside at the parrot sanctuary at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park. Photo: Lincolnshire Wildlife Park
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park is reaching out to its supporters, and any companies that can provide help for these animals, as it tries to battle an uncertain future.
It is fearful of how it will source food to feed the animals during these difficult times after it had decided to close its doors to help protect its staff and the public.
At the time of publication the charity’s Just Giving page has raised over £13,900. It also has a weekly shopping list if anybody wishes to help that way.
The charity added that it’s “truly inspirational how supportive and generous people can be during such a difficult and uncertain time for us and them”.
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Marc Jones, the re-elected Conservative Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said that his work is not done, as he’s looking forward to a further three years in the role.
Mr Jones won with a 57.9% majority of the poll from the first round of counting, with 102,813 votes from a 31% turnout. A total of 177,528 votes were placed county-wide.
The nearest candidate was Labour’s Rosanne Kirk, with a 19% share of the votes, with Lincolnshire Independent David Williams securing the third spot with 10%.
The breakdown of the votes cast on Thursday, May 6, and counted on Saturday, may 8, was:
Marc Jones (Conservative) – 102,813
Rosanne Kirk (Labour) – 34,310
David Williams (Lincolnshire Independent) – 18,375
Ross Pepper (Liberal Democrats) – 10,172
Peter Escreet (Reform UK) – 6,101
Marc Jones: “More work to do”
“It’s very gratifying to have concluded today on the first count, that was a really positive thing for what I’ve delivered so far,” said Mr Jones.
“But I’m under no illusions having spoken to many around the county there’s an awful lot more work to do.”
He said he wanted to assure the public that “nothing was taken for granted”.
Rosie Kirk – Labour – 2nd place
Labour’s candidate Rosie Kirk said she was “thrilled for her party” across all three elections that had taken place in Lincolnshire this week.
“The votes that we got was incredible. Our message got through and to actually come second in a Conservative county is really great,” she said.
However, she added that there were “lots of questions that still need to be asked” and promised to keep up her scrutiny of Marc in his role.
Ross Pepper – Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrat candidate Ross Pepper said the result was not “entirely unexpected”.
However, he said he was proud of the three Liberal Democrat councillors that had won seats in the local elections at Lincolnshire County and City of Lincoln Councils.
“I’m ready to work with them for a better Lincolnshire and a better Lincoln,” he said.
“In a Conservative heavy county we did a really good job of getting the Liberal Democrat message out there… and we continue pushing that message through local campaigning in the future.”
David Williams – Lincolnshire Independents
David Williams, the Lincolnshire Independents PCC candidate congratulated Marc Jones on his victory but said it is “not a surprising outcome”.
“I’m really pleased to have run for the post, because if I hadn’t have had a go to do a job that I really would have relished then I would have looked back and regretted not having taking the opportunity.”
Peter Escreet – Reform UK
Peter Escreet, the Reform UK candidate also said the result “was as expected” but actually he was “pleasantly surprised,” saying that this is “just the start”.
“The real campaign is in three years’ time” where Mr Escreet wants to grow a majority.
Conservative Marc Jones has been re-elected to the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner role.
He won from the first round of counting with 102,813 votes from a 31% turnout.
The PCC oversees the strategy and finances of the force, and also hires and fires chief constables, who are responsible for the daily policing operations.
Mr Jones will be in the position for three years.
The breakdown of the results is:
Marc Jones (Conservative) – 102,813
Rosanne Kirk (Labour) – 34,310
Ross Pepper (Liberal Democrats) – 10,172
David Williams (Lincolnshire Independent) – 18,375
Peter Escreet (Reform UK) – 6,101
Here’s the live result announcement, the reactions and acceptance speech:
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