FRESH allegations have been directed at an under-fire zoo following a controversial Bonfire Night time occasion held on the attraction.
South Lakes Safari Zoo in Dalton hosted its ‘Bonfire Night time Bonanza’ which marketed the usage of ‘bangless’ fireworks throughout the zoo grounds.
After the occasion, wildlife charity Born Free mentioned they had been contacted by a number of attendees who highlighted their considerations that various the fireworks weren’t silent and made comparable noise to common fireworks.
Additional analysis has revealed considerations being voiced on social media and evaluation websites, mentioned the charity.
Born Free additionally declare they’ve seen footage from the occasion, which seems to point out fireworks being let off within the zoo making appreciable noise, and in shut proximity to the zoo’s Africa Home, housing its giraffe, zebra and rhino.
Born Free is urging the zoo administration to rethink their use at one other upcoming festive occasion promoting the usage of ‘bangless’ fireworks.
Chris Lewis, captivity analysis officer at Born Free, mentioned: “Though the zoo meant to make use of silent fireworks, it should be questioned why a facility whose major goal needs to be to make sure the welfare of the animals of their care would jeopardise that by pointless actions. The proof and testimony we’ve got obtained that recommend a few of the fireworks had been removed from silent solely compounds the problem additional, and calls into query the judgement of zoo administration and the zoo’s ethics committee.”
READ MORE: Born Free are involved South Lakes Safari Zoo’s inspection is not going to present ‘true working’ of facility
The unfavorable impression that fireworks have on animals is a long-standing difficulty and has for a few years been highlighted by Born Free and different animal welfare organisations such because the RSPCA. Lately various animal deaths in zoos the world over have been blamed on fireworks.
Even when fireworks are silent, the visible facets can nonetheless be extraordinarily demanding for animals on the zoo and people throughout the surrounding space, mentioned the charity.
These allegations come weeks after Born Free visited South Lakes Safari Zoo following a number of public reviews of concern regarding animal welfare and the overall working of the zoo.
READ MORE: Born Free investigation finds South Lakes Safari Zoo ‘fails to fulfill fundamental requirements’ of animal welfare
The charity alleges the zoo ‘fails to fulfill even fundamental requirements’ of animal welfare and has written to Barrow Borough Council with their considerations.
South Lakes Safari Zoo refuted all allegations made by Born Free.
After relaying their findings to Barrow Borough Council it was introduced a crew from the city corridor shall be visiting the zoo alongside a specialist vet, who can be a DEFRA zoo inspector, for an inspection set to be carried out on November 17.
Quite a lot of allegations made by animal charity Born Free, and likewise individually by a personal particular person, shall be totally investigated as a part of the inspection throughout which the zoo’s in-house vet shall be interviewed and animal information examined.
Born Free has written once more to Barrow Council, urging them to incorporate consideration of the impacts of the usage of fireworks on the zoo.
The charity mentioned inspectors ought to examine what measures had been in place to make sure the welfare of the animals in the course of the firework show and whether or not the noise and disturbance of fireworks had been suitable with the authorized requirement for the zoo to guard their animals from worry and misery.
READ MORE: Council to hold out Safari Zoo inspection following welfare considerations
The Mail tried to contact South Lakes Safari Zoo in regards to the fireworks however had not obtained a reply by the point we went to press.
