A recent video has surfaced showing a group of gorillas still residing in their enclosure three years after the closure of Bristol Zoo to the public. Despite the zoo’s closure in 2022, urban explorers recorded footage of eight gorillas this week, visibly interacting with their surroundings and appearing to bang on the windows of the enclosure.
Criticism has been directed at the zoo for maintaining the western lowland gorillas in captivity at the old site, while construction on a new habitat at a different location in the city remains incomplete. The zoo has acknowledged the security challenges it faced post-closure due to multiple break-ins, posing risks to both the gorillas and intruders.
A viral video posted by a visitor highlights their journey into the zoo with the intention of raising awareness about the animals left behind. Expressing concerns about transparency, the visitor questioned the conditions in which the gorillas were kept and emphasized the importance of openness to the public.
The video showcases various areas of the zoo, including the gorilla enclosure where one gorilla can be seen peering through the glass. The zoo has announced plans to relocate the gorilla troop to their new African Forest habitat within a few months, offering a larger living space compared to their current enclosure.
While the zoo declined to comment on the recent video, they reiterated their commitment to the animals’ welfare and expressed frustration over trespassing incidents that caused distress to the gorillas. Despite the ongoing transition to the new habitat, the zoo assured that the current enclosure provides ample outdoor and indoor spaces for the gorillas.
Prior criticism from wildlife charity Born Free highlighted concerns about the proximity of great apes to humans in zoo settings, stressing the importance of ensuring their safety and well-being. The former Bristol Zoo site continues to face security challenges post-closure, with unauthorized access posing risks to both humans and animals on the premises.
