The management of a zoo has responded after video footage of gorillas ‘banging on windows’, three years after it ceased operations, has gained popularity online.
Bristol Zoo Gardens in Clifton, UK, shut its doors in 2022, with animals gradually relocated to the Bristol Zoo Project.
Nevertheless, the zoo announced that its gorillas would stay at the closed location until their new habitat at the Bristol Zoo Project was ready.
The upcoming enclosure is planned to be over four times larger and inspired by the African forests of Equatorial Guinea.
However, video shared on social media by ‘urban explorers’ and highlighted by some UK news outlets has caused public concern, with allegations that the gorillas are ‘lonely’ and observed ‘banging on windows’ in their living space.
The Sun reports that a trespasser claimed to have spent hours at the zoo, stating: “I, like many others, didn’t understand what was going on. Bristol zoo aren’t very transparent at all.
“It’s in the public interest to be transparent… that’s why there is so much public attention – no one could care if they were honest.”
The zoo has now released a statement, with a spokesperson explaining to the BBC: “As well as their team of keepers, the gorillas see vets, other zoo staff, students, researchers, and zoo supporters throughout each week.
“When they are moved over to their new African Forest home, we will be gradually introducing visitors to get them used to seeing the general public again.”
Bristol Zoo also noted that alarms triggered by trespassers have caused distress to the animals.
“Our heightened security has ensured trespassers haven’t been able to get near to the gorillas, but each time someone breaks in, our alarm system is triggered, which distresses the gorilla troop,” they added.
“It often leads them to miss sleep, which disrupts their routine and leaves them groggy and lethargic. This is interrupting the training our team is providing to get them ready for their move to Bristol Zoo Project in a few months’ time.”
Bristol Zoo Project also mentioned that the posts have resulted in ‘misinformation’ with ‘untrue and inflammatory information about the gorillas’.
Meanwhile, Director of Bristol Zoo Project, Hannah Windross, shared with the BBC: “It’s distressing I think particularly for the keepers because they spend so much time working with these animals, they love and care for these animals for years.
“So to see people saying they’re miserable and they’re abandoned is just so hurtful when, as a wildlife and conservation charity, the protection of animals is what we exist to do.”
Nevertheless, the wildlife charity Born Free has criticized the zoo for keeping the gorillas at the old site for an extended period.
In a statement, they remarked: “Despite closing its doors in September 2022, the former Bristol Zoo site in the UK has continued to house western lowland gorillas…while work on their enclosure at the new Bristol Zoo Project awaits completion.
“Since the old site’s closure, there have been a series of public break-ins, putting health and safety of both the intruders and the gorillas at risk.
“The repeated disturbances and loud alarms have reportedly had ‘really distressing’ impacts on the gorillas.”
UNILAD has reached out to Bristol Zoo Project for comment.