There used to be a thing that when I phoned up a wildlife park or zoo the immediate reaction was "We've got all of our animals accounted for!" It was known that the EAR did not just look into reports of exotics but the safety and security of animals in captivity. Rather like the kitchen sinbk exotic breeding which appears to have gotten out of control since so much legislation was dropped, zoos also seem to value money over animals now.
We have seen and noted: "Have your party at our zoo" ££££ "Have your fireworks party (seriously??) at our site" £££££ Bristol Zoo "Oh we need a new site so we can make a lot of money out of selling the grounds" ££££
Moving the gorillas seems to be pushed back all the time and now we learn that security is so bad that trespassers still get in and wander about -is there security or just a typical bunch of men who sleep or play video games when they are supposed to be working? And WHY are there no permanent staff monitoring the gorillas at night?
What was once supposedly one of the best zoos in the UK (I have the history books) has turned into a mess. Rare species to help conserve them? No -money making attractions. From a one time zoo (for conservation purposes) supporter I have come to realise that conservation means money,
The current state of Bristol Zoos gorillas is a bloody disgrace. Those involved should be feeling ashamed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gorillas have been left "distressed" following a number of break-ins at the former site of Bristol Zoo.
Keepers say there has been a series of trespassers accessing the grounds in Clifton.
It is still home to some of the animals that have not yet been moved to the zoo's new, larger site in South Gloucestershire.
The break-ins have led to loud alarms and sounders going off, causing distress to the gorillas.
Gareth, a member of the primate keeper team, said: "We've stepped up our security on site here at [Bristol Zoo Gardens], and we have been able to prevent any trespassers getting anywhere near to our gorilla troop."
But he added that the unwelcome visitors are still causing distress for the animals.
Gareth said: "In human terms, it's like someone snooping around a family home outside. The residents of that house will be worried, will be scared, won't know what's going on.
"Even though our gorillas are big and scary things, they still feel those emotions as well. Especially the young like Hasani and Juni, and the elderly, who we have in our group."
Imogen, a fellow keeper, said: "Jock is 41-years-old now, which for a gorilla is classed as geriatric. He is actually the oldest silverback in the UK now, so he is an old boy. So, he needs his beauty sleep.
"Anything that's out of the ordinary or out of routine for him can be particularly stressful for Jock. We've had issues immediately after the break-ins the next day doing basic husbandry routines because Jock, in particular, is so tired, he just doesn't want to move."
Security has been stepped up at the former home of Bristol Zoo Gardens.
The Bristol Zoological Society hopes to ultimately sell the area so it can be turned into a public park and almost 200 homes - though is has been embattled in legal challenges by groups hoping to preserve the historic space.
The majority of the animals have now been to the zoo's new site, the Bristol Zoo Project. The gorillas are also destined to make the move to the new site and their Central African Forest habitat is currently under construction.
Their new home will be four and a half times the size of their current enclosure and has been designed to evoke the dense forest of Equatorial Guinea, their native homeland. It will also be ringed by a water-filled moat and staff say there will be a range of trees to allow the gorillas to climb.
The zoo hopes the animals might be able to move in the summer or by next year at the latest.
No comments:
Post a Comment