By Ellen Landale, News Subeditor
A video showing gorillas banging on the glass inside the closed Bristol Zoo Gardens has gone viral, sparking concern over the animals’ welfare.
In the video, the trespassers said they just ‘walked straight in’ and could have ‘opened the enclosure’ if they had wanted to.
The Bristol Zoo Gardens, located in Clifton, officially closed to the public in 2022, with animals gradually relocated to the larger zoo project near Cribbs Causeway.
The zoo has confirmed that the western lowland gorillas remain at the Clifton site under the care of keepers while preparations are made for their move to the new project location.
According to a recent statement from the Bristol Zoo Project, the new enclosure will be more than four times the size of the current one and is expected to be ready ‘within a few months.’
In response to the viral video, Bristol Zoo said speculation online had led to an increase in attempted break-ins, causing distress to the gorilla troop:
‘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.
‘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.’
James Lewis
Arthur Clinton
The zoo has previously been criticised by wildlife charity Born Free for continuing to house the gorillas in captivity while the new enclosure remains unfinished.
Featured Image: TikTok/top.urbex
