There is no doubt that Brexit has been one of the defining events of modern England. The United Kingdom had been a member of a European Committee of nations, either the EU or EC since January 1973, but this more than 45-year relationship was brought to a halt on the 31st of January 2020, when the UK officially parted ways with the European Union. This followed one of the more shocking moments in modern political history, with David Cameron’s Conservative Government holding the first EU referendum since 1975. By a 51.9% majority, the British public stunned the Tory government, this result contributing significantly to Mr Cameron’s decision to step down from his Premiership on the 12th of September. 

So far, Brexit has had wide ranging implications, such as heavily decreased trade relationships, an especially difficult pill to swallow considering the economic obstacle posed by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the UK’s current cost of living crisis, which has itself led to a huge economic slump. 

But in the past week a further consequence has come to light: the decrease in the breeding of endangered animals. Private animal breeding companies and zoos are now struggling to transport exotic animals from one country to another, in order to breed the species, and reintegrate them into the wild. This could be a pivotal blockade for zoos in and around the London area, as populations of certain species, such as Bison, are dwindling by the week, with only 54 of the aforementioned creatures currently in zoos. 

In an effort to reverse this, London Zoo has written to Prime Minister of 3 months Rishi Sunak, demanding that the issue be eradicated. In this letter, both statistical and monetary problems were raised, with 200 animals transferred between the UK and EU in the past year, compared to over 1400 prior to the quarantine, and a transporting which would previously have cost the zoo £1000, now stretching close to £8000. 

Hundreds of vital species are at risk due to this side effect of Brexit, and immediate cooperation between the UK and Europe may be necessary in order to keep our world biodiverse. However, as is clear by 2016’s decision to split, this amicability may be a task too tall.