Sefton Council has taken the difficult decision to close the aviary at Botanic Gardens in Churchtown.
The Council’s Green Sefton service, working alongside the Botanic Gardens Community Association, has been responsible for maintaining the aviary, which first opened in 1939.
Both groups have been grateful for the many donations of both time and money received from kind-hearted volunteers over the years.
After carefully reviewing animal welfare guidance and considering the ageing infrastructure of the aviary, the Council decision was taken to begin planning its closure.
Every effort will be made to rehome the animals with organisations suitably skilled in animal welfare. Green Sefton has confirmed that euthanasia will not be considered at any stage, and that volunteer support will be sought in the interim period if needed.
Green Sefton staff work along the coast on a daily basis to conserve the Sefton coastal habitat, which provides a natural environment that attracts countless wild birds, including migratory birds such as ospreys, merlins and sandpipers.
Maintaining a suitable habitat for these wild birds will continue to be a key part of the work delivered by the service after closing the aviary, which is among the last council-operated facilities housing animals anywhere in the country.
The aviary at Botanic Gardens is operated by Sefton Council’s Green Sefton service. For a number of reasons, principally the welfare of the animals and the need to greatly improve the infrastructure while faced with growing budgetary constraints, the Green Sefton service will now manage the site’s closure.
Green Sefton manages around 6,500 hectares of land – the equivalent of 7,800 football pitches – across parks, greenspaces, woodland, sand dunes and beaches. Its resources are spread across these areas, and its statutory duties, which includes protecting land designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area and more.
Sefton Council is one of the last councils anywhere in England to operate a facility that houses animals. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to do so.
All of Sefton Council’s service areas have allocated budgets, with funding coming from a wide range of sources. In many cases, funding is awarded on the basis that it must be used on a particular project.
Managing the aviary falls under Green Sefton’s operating budget. Unfortunately, due to financial restraints, Green Sefton will oversee its closure.
Green Sefton staff have been fully informed of the decision and the reasons why. Staff members who work at the aviary could be offered an alternative role where possible. Trade Union Representatives have been informed to ensure transparency and to support early communication with the affected employees.
Sefton Council has proudly operated the aviary for many years, becoming in the process one of the last local authorities to manage a facility that houses animals. Unfortunately, continuing operations when accounting for factors like the need for updated infrastructure is no longer financially viable.
While Green Sefton staff have always ensured that the animals at the aviary get the best possible care, there are differing opinions over the role of aviaries in modern day Britain. Sefton Council had to consider all factors, including the state of infrastructure and the financial challenge of continuing to provide a suitable environment amid rising costs, and the decision was taken that the aviary should be closed.
Strong consideration was given to all factors involved before the decision was taken. This includes key welfare standards as laid out by the RSPCA, including space and flight; safety and security; enrichment (preventing boredom); diet and water; and companionship.
The aviary is home to several bird species, including different types of parrots, as well as rabbits and guinea pigs. Every effort will be made to ensure that each animal finds a suitable and safe new home before the aviary is closed. Only bodies suitably skilled to provide the correct level of animal welfare will be considered.
Euthanasia of any of the animals at the aviary has been completely ruled out.
The decision to close the aviary was not taken lightly and Sefton Council appreciates that this is sad news for many people. Budgetary constraints mean that the long-term financial security of the site could not be guaranteed, while the condition of the existing infrastructure and the viability of outdoor aviaries in modern-day Britain have been taken into account. Green Sefton has been asked to close the aviary because of these considerations.
Sefton Council are grateful to every volunteer who has supported the aviary over the years, and to the Botanic Gardens Community Association for their ongoing work within the park. We are aware of the many challenges that face an aviary in the modern day, in terms of financing day-to-day operations, improving infrastructure and meeting welfare needs. With all factors in mind, and the need for aviary birds to be cared for 365 days a year, we know that it is likely to be difficult for any organisation to take over operations.
We appreciate every person who has supported the aviary over the years and are grateful for the time and money that has been invested which assisted to keep the aviary open for a considerable length of time, we understand that this is sad news for them. The decision was not an easy one and reflects the challenge of maintaining an aviary with suitable animal welfare in the present day.