Intruders are distressing gorillas, says zoo

The gorillas at the closed Bristol Zoo Gardens in Clifton are waiting for a move to a larger site

A zoo has said intruders are posing a risk to its gorillas after a video circulated online from someone who had broken in and filmed the animals.

The Bristol Zoo Gardens in Clifton closed to the public in 2022 with animals gradually being moved to the larger Bristol Zoo Project.

But the zoo said its gorilla colony remained being cared for by keepers at the closed site while work was completed on their new enclosure.

It said speculation about the gorillas had led to more break-ins, with the animals suffering distress due to the triggering of its intruder alarms.

The Bristol Zoo Gardens closed in 2022, with animals slowly moving across to the Bristol Zoo Project

A spokesperson for the zoo said: "As well as their team of keepers, the gorillas see vets, other zoo staff, students, researchers and zoo supporters throughout each week.

"When they are moved over to their new African Forest home, we will be gradually introducing visitors to get them used to seeing the general public again."

But footage shared in online posts and by some national press have expressed concern the animals appear lonely and abandoned and have been seen "banging on windows" at their enclosure.

Bristol Zoo Project said the posts had led to "misinformation" with "untrue and inflammatory information about the gorillas".

Director Hannah Windross told the BBC: "It's distressing I think particularly for the keepers because they spend so much time working with these animals, they love and care for these animals for years.

"So to see people saying they're miserable and they're abandoned is just so hurtful when, as a wildlife and conservation charity, the protection of animals is what we exist to do."

Bristol Zoo said: "Our heightened security has ensured trespassers haven't been able to get near to the gorillas, but each time someone breaks in, our alarm system is triggered, which distresses the gorilla troop.

"It often leads them to miss sleep, which disrupts their routine and leaves them groggy and lethargic. This is interrupting the training our team is providing to get them ready for their move to Bristol Zoo Project in a few months' time."

Mammal keeper Sarah Gedman said "we're having to shut the gorillas in overnight because there is more of a risk to the trespassers coming onto site.

"That isn't normal and it takes away the control from the animals who can usually come and go as they please.

"It's disappointing we have to compromise on the animals' well-being because of the impact of others."