A viral video has emerged from a trespasser at the former Bristol Zoo. The individual claimed their goal was to raise awareness about the eight remaining western lowland gorillas at the Clifton site, which closed to visitors three years ago.
Trespasser Films Gorillas at Closed Bristol Zoo
The original video was posted to social media, drawing attention to concerns over the gorillas’ wellbeing after the zoo’s closure. This incident follows a previous viral TikTok video that incorrectly suggested the animals had been abandoned. As a result, the zoo confirmed it increased security measures to address various trespassing attempts reported to law enforcement since the site’s closure in September 2022.
Despite the zoo asserting that the gorillas are well cared for, the trespasser voiced concerns. They claimed that many people perceive a lack of transparency regarding the animals’ situation. In their video, they questioned, “What is it you don’t want everyone to know?” expressing disbelief over the gorillas’ confinement.
Zoo’s Efforts and Future Habitat
Bristol Zoo has announced plans for the gorillas to transition to a new habitat at the Bristol Zoo Project site, formerly known as the Wild Place Project. This new enclosure will be significantly larger—four and a half times the current area—and designed to mimic the natural forests of Equatorial Guinea. The move is anticipated within the coming months.
- Current Enclosure: Still allows access to large outdoor areas and multiple well-regulated indoor spaces.
- New Habitat Size: 4.5 times larger than the current enclosure.
- Current Residents: Eight western lowland gorillas.
Bristol Zoo has not commented specifically on the recent video, yet it reiterated its commitment to animal welfare and the safety of both the animals and the intruders. Brian Zimmerman, director of conservation and science at Bristol Zoological Society, emphasized the distress caused to the gorillas due to these disturbances.
Public Concerns and Social Media Misinformation
Public discontent has been voiced, particularly from wildlife charities like Born Free, which criticized the continued captivity of the gorillas amid construction delays. The charity’s recent report outlined serious safety risks posed by zoos that keep great apes near humans, highlighting the ongoing challenges the former Bristol Zoo faces even after its closure.
While the zoo works to finalize the new habitat, it continues to face scrutiny over its handling of the gorillas’ temporary situation. Each incident of trespassing not only disrupts the safety protocols but also raises questions regarding the future of these animals in captivity.
