‘Bristol Zoo needs to hang their head in shame’: reactions after viral gorilla enclosure video

The comment is just one of hundreds sparked by a viral TikTok video - which now has more than 800l views - that saw the troop of gorillas at the former zoo site in Clifton filmed by trespassers who claimed the animals were “abandoned” and expressed concerns for their welfare.               

But not everyone agreed. “They're perfectly fine and well looked after so stop overreacting,” added another commenter.

In a statement to BristolWorld, Bristol Zoo also challenged the claims in the video, saying “the care and welfare of our animals is, and always has been, our top priority”. 

“Our experienced keepers and dedicated welfare team have continued to care for the gorillas since the closure of Bristol Zoo Gardens,” said Bristol Zoological Society’s director of conservation and science, Brian Zimmerman.   

“It has been well publicised that the troop are still living on the site in Clifton, and work is underway to create a new Central African Forest habitat at Bristol Zoo Project, which they will move across to, next year.

“The gorillas have access to a large outside area, and multiple indoor spaces, and the temperature of their habitat is carefully managed to reflect the warm temperatures of Equatorial Guinea, where they would live in the wild.”

Bristol Zoo also uploaded a livestream with its keepers yesterday (July 5), which showed the indoor and outdoor spaces the gorilla troop have access to and the care and welfare standards they receive.

But that hasn’t stopped people from criticising the zoo, with wildlife charity Born Free saying individuals being able to access the facility “poses significant risks to the health and safety of the individuals involved, zoo staff and also the remaining animals at the zoo”.   

Some commenters agreed, with one writing: “It’s disgusting - their cages are filthy and they look so sad. Bristol Zoo needs to hang their heads in shame.” 

Another added: “Maybe they should be more worried about the animals - they don't understand what’s going on, they’ve been used to seeing the public all their lives and now they see nobody.”

But another commenter said the response to the story is a case of “Karens getting upset”. 

“You didn’t care when you took the kids to go see them before it closed,” they wrote.

And another commenter agreed, saying: “People who are shocked should be asking themselves why. 

“These animals were always in captivity, now it is just more obvious, perhaps that’s scratching at your consciousness.”    

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Bristol Zoo said it is taking the trespassing incident “extremely seriously” and that it has been reported to the police.  

“We are currently investigating this break in and reviewing CCTV footage to determine exactly what happened,” added Brian Zimmerman.

“We are also reviewing our site security to see where improvements can be made. 

“This is now a police matter, and we will provide any support they need as part of their investigation.”