You'll need a zoo licence if you'll be displaying wild animals to the public for at least seven days a year, in any place that's not a circus or pet shop.

To get a licence your zoo must:

• help educate people about biodiversity
• be suitable for the types of animals you're keeping
• have a high standard of animal care
• do as much as possible to stop any animals escaping
• stop pests and vermin getting into the zoo

You must also do at least one of the following:

• conservation research or training
• sharing conservation information
• captive animal breeding
• helping repopulate or reintroduce species into the wild

Before you can get a licence you'll need to tell us how you will do this

You must make sure the zoo wouldn't affect:

• the health and safety of local residents
• local law and order
• the animals' well-being

Restrictions

You also won't get a licence if anyone working or managing the zoo has committed an animal welfare offence