News / Animals
Bristol Zoo criticised for ‘stressing’ animals
A member of staff working at an after-hours event in Bristol Zoo has been caught on camera by animal rights activists saying that that the loud music and visitors “do stress (the animals) out”, who were “stereotyping” by pacing back and forth in their enclosures.
The undercover footage at Bristol Zoo’s Big Night Out – adult-only parties with live music and bars, which the zoo’s website says are “perfect for birthdays, stag and hen parties” – was filmed by the Captive Animals’ Protection Society (CAPS).
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CAPS campaigns director Nicola O’Brien said: “The zoo continues to state that it has the animals’ welfare in mind, yet a member of staff has openly told the investigator that the event was causing the lions stress.
“The animals cannot escape the loud noises that go on around them when they are subjected to hours of loud music and guests. That people could apparently hear the music two miles away goes to show just how loud this event was.”
Responding to the allegations on their website, a zoo statement says: “Our experienced team of animal keepers have confirmed that although our lions showed a level of interest in the event taking place, they were categorically not displaying signs of discomfort.
“Our two male lions were monitored throughout the evening by our qualified animal keepers. The member of staff questioned by CAPS was not a qualified Zoo keeper.
“The lions were hand-reared by our keepers after being abandoned by their mother at 13 days old. As such, these keepers became their ‘mother’ figures and they still have that association. The pacing seen in the footage was in anticipation of seeing someone they knew and not as a result of sound levels.”
“We strictly monitor noise levels throughout the event to ensure they do not exceed levels set by the local authority and that are comfortable for our animals and guests.”
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