Bristol Zoo Project has reported multiple break-ins at its site in Clifton, which closed in September 2022, to police following what representatives say is “false information’ being disseminated online
People keep trying to break into the gorilla closure (Image: Bristol Zoological Society / SWNS)
Bristol Zoo has increased its security measures after a series of break-ins at the gorilla enclosure, fuelled by online rumours that the animals were left to fend for themselves.
The now-defunct Bristol Zoo Gardens location in Clifton, which shut down back in September 2022, has become a hotspot for unlawful entry, prompting several police reports due to “false information” spreading like wildfire on the internet. Wild claims suggesting the gorillas had been “abandoned” are driving these intrusions. The charity has since released a video on its Facebook page today to raise awareness of the impact the disruption is having upon the animals.
Zookeeper Imogen highlighted the anxiety caused by the noisy alarms set off during each intrusion. She said: “Although it is good news that our stepped up security has managed to keep the trespassers away from the gorillas, it does mean that every time somebody comes onto the zoo grounds, the alarms and sounders go off, which are quite loud – and that’s actually really distressing for the gorillas.”
Online rumours are circulating about the animals at the Bristol zoo not being looked after (Image: Blackpoint Design / SWNS)
The troop of eight gorillas has been living at the former Bristol Zoo Gardens since it closed its doors last September. These amazing creatures are all set to move to an incredible new Central African Forest exhibit at the Bristol Zoo Project by Cribbs Causeway this summer.
Gareth, a zoo staffer, likened break-ins to “someone snooping around a family home outside”. He shared his insights: “The residents of that house will be worried and scared. The gorillas feel those emotions as well – especially the young, like Hasani and Juni, and the elderly, like Jock.”
Post-incident challenges have arisen, with Gareth noting: “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.”
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Hannah Windross from Bristol Zoological Society expressed concern over repeated trespassing at their old site, which affects the critically endangered western lowland gorilla troop.
Hannah said: “This has resulted in videos and misinformation being spread on social media. Unfortunately, each time the videos are reshared we experience new break-ins at the site, where our Critically Endangered western lowland gorilla troop is being cared for by our expert keepers.”
“Our heightened security has ensured recent trespassers haven’t been able to get near to the gorillas, but each time it happens, and alarms are set off in the middle of the night, it causes the troop distress. We take these incidents seriously. The care and welfare of our animals is always our top priority.”
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“Our experienced keepers and dedicated welfare team have continued to care for the gorillas since the closure of Bristol Zoo Gardens, just as they did when the site was open to the public. We hope our supporters will help us raise awareness of the harm these continued break-ins are causing to our animals and combat misleading information that the site is empty.”
“It has been well publicised that the troop are still living in the Clifton site, and work is underway to create a new African Forest habitat at Bristol Zoo Project, which they will move into. There, they will be joined by many other of the world’s most threatened species.”
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