Bristol Zoo break-ins cause distress for gorillas as misleading content spreads

Bristol Zoo Project has shared a new statement after a new video went viral showing urban explorers trespassing into the former Bristol Zoo Gardens site which closed in 2022.

The site continues to be home to eight gorillas who are waiting to move 'in a few months' to their new African Forest habitat in the new Bristol Zoo Project, which is awaiting completion.

Their new site, formerly known as Wild Place Project, will be four and a half times the size of their current home.

In the video, the trespassers claimed they just 'walked straight in' and 'could have gone opened the enclosure' if they had wanted to, and spent a few hours at the site were they saw the gorillas ‘bang on the window’.

A spokesperson for Bristol Zoo commented: “Our former Bristol Zoo Gardens site has been targeted by trespassers which has resulted in videos and false information being spread on social media.

“Unfortunately, the articles printed are very misleading and each time this content is shared, it encourages more break ins, causing distress to our gorillas.

“Our heightened security ensures trespassers can’t reach the gorillas, but each time it happens, and alarms are set off, it causes the troop distress.

“It has been well publicised that the troop are still living in the Clifton site while work is completed on their new African Forest habitat at Bristol Zoo Project.

“The gorillas will be moving across to their new home in the next few months. In the meantime, our experienced keepers and dedicated welfare team continue to care for them, ensuring they have exactly the same routine as when the site was open to the public.

“You can see a film of them being cared for here, which shows their outside space and enrichment - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj_wgd01-Zk

“The only reason social media influencers share this misleading content is to gain followers. We hope our supporters help to raise awareness of the harm these continued break-ins cause, and combat the misleading information that the site is empty.”