Bristol Zoo 'steps up' security at old site in Clifton after repeated break-ins 'harm' gorillas

The zoo says it has recently been dealing with ‘a few’ security breaches at Bristol Zoo Gardens in Clifton following ‘false information circulating online’.

It comes after BristolWorld reported last summer how intruders gained access to the gorilla enclosure and falsely claimed the animals were ‘abandoned’ in a viral video.

Bristol Zoo says the latest trespassers have not been able to get near the gorillas, which BristolWorld has seen are still being cared for by keepers.

The troop are due to move a new Central African Forest habitat at the Bristol Zoo Project site near Cribbs Causeway this summer, ahead of its opening to the public in 2026.

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In a statement on social media, Bristol Zoo shared a video of keepers outside the gorilla enclosure to “raise awareness of the harm” of the break-ins.

In an accompanying post, the zoo wrote: “Ahead of the gorilla troop's move to their new home at Bristol Zoo Project, we've unfortunately been dealing with break ins at the old Bristol Zoo Gardens site, where the gorillas are still cared for by our wonderful keepers.

“Although our heightened security has ensured the recent trespassers haven't been able to get near the gorillas, each time a break in happens, the alarms are set off, which causes a lot of distress to the group.”

The gorillas have remained living at Bristol Zoo Gardens since it closed to the public in September 2022. Plans to build 196 new homes on the site currently on hold due to a judicial review brought by objectors to the redevelopment.