SHOCKED parents have raised concerns after toddlers and babies as young as 11 weeks old were told to wear a face mask to take part in a zoo experience.

Babies as young as three months old were told to wear a face covering to participate in animal encounters and animal experiences at South Lakes Safari Zoo.

Every Tuesday the zoo offers free tickets to preschool children and one accompanying adult for ‘Toddling Tuesday’ – a fun and educational session learning about animals.

The zoo offers animal feeding as part of this, which features a different animal each week.

On Tuesday Katie Moore travelled with her two-year-old son from their home in Ulverston to take part in one of the animal interaction sessions with a giraffe.

However, she was shocked to learn that her toddler would have to wear a face-covering to engage with the animals at the session.

South Lakes Safari Zoo issued a statement online about the mask-wearing policy at animal interaction events.

A spokesman said: “As much as we listen to and like to adopt feedback, unfortunately the welfare of our animals is absolutely paramount and at this time, the general advice for animal encounters is masks or a face covering must be worn.

“As always it is parents and guardians prerogative if they choose to take part.

“For us teaching kids at an early age these animals are special and to help them, we can do many things – one of which is cover our mouths for a feed – are the rules we cannot changes.

“We hope you will understand we can’t compromise the wellbeing of Kofi, Ekun, or any of our animals.”

The Mail: Children were told to wear a mask to engage in animal feedingChildren were told to wear a mask to engage in animal feeding

Ms Moore, a mum-of-two, said: “After everyone had paid staff said we have to wear masks.

“All the adults said that’s fine and then staff said the children have to wear them as well.

“I thought they surely don’t expect toddlers and babies to wear one, we were all really shocked.

“They were even asking newborns to wear one which is a suffocation risk.

“Staff argued with the mother of an 11-week-old baby telling her that her baby must wear a mask.

“Children and babies never had to wear a mask at the height of the pandemic, even in medical environments as there is a health and safety and suffocation risk. It completely goes against Government guidelines and World Health Organisation advice, and no other zoos implement this.

“Many children were in tears because they weren't able to feed the giraffes and some very distressed as the parents tried to put masks on them.

“We weren’t told before coming to the event that masks were required on the children too.

“Hardly any children were able to feed the animals in the end because of this rule. We did crafts activities in the café instead.

“I’ve been to this in the past and this is the first time we’ve been asked to wear a mask.”

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Ms Moore said the majority of children were unable to take part in the activity due to the mandatory mask-wearing rule, which staff said was to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmissions.

She said: “Staff said there had been more info about animals catching Covid but at other zoos around the country you don’t have to wear a mask.

“I understand they want to keep the animals safe but then this isn’t the right activity to advertise for toddlers and babies if they have to wear a mask.

“Children didn’t have to wear masks through the pandemic or in doctors or hospitals, so why zoos?

“I have been to Toddling Tuesday lots of times and this has put me off going again. My little boy was really excited to feed the animals and wasn’t able to.

“It wasn’t clear anywhere in the lead up to the event that masks had to be worn.

“The free Toddling Tuesdays are brilliant and we all completely understand the animals need to be kept safe. But as most children there today were preschool age, it was not an acceptable activity to advertise for the little ones.”

Sam Brewer, of South Lakes Safari Zoo, said: “We hold a free toddle event each Tuesday. - it’s an event we started to give the local community the opportunity to get out in the fresh air and enjoy the zoo whilst meeting other mums and dads.

“The toddle gives those with toddlers the opportunity to visit the zoo each Tuesday (free entry).

“There is no mandatory requirement for mask-wearing at the free event.

“Mask wearing is currently mandatory to participate in animal encounters and animal experiences.

“If people do not wish to wear a mask we are advising them to return to participate in those encounters or feedings at a later date.”