ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Albanian Authorities Have Rescued Animals Trapped At The 'Zoo From Hell'

Albanian Authorities Have Rescued Animals Trapped At The 'Zoo From Hell'

Photographs taken inside the 'zoo' show the 'miserable' lives the animals were forced to endure

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

Albanian authorities have shut down the 'zoo from hell', saving dozens of malnourished and mistreated animals.

The animals were kept in cramped and unhygienic conditions at the Safari Park Zoo, in Fier, until an unnamed photographer released a set of images earlier this week

The disturbing photos include a 'severely malnourished' lion, with what appears to be an eye injury.

According to the MailOnline, Albania's Minister of Tourism and Environment, Blendi Klosi, ordered the animals to be rescued after seeing the photos.

Caters

The photographer said he was appalled at the 'miserable' lives animals were being forced to endure.

They said: "All the animals are kept in tiny, unhygienic concrete cages with no possibility to retreat from the elements or from the prying eyes of visitors to the zoo.

"The animals suffer from a range of physical and psychological issues caused by the miserable conditions, improper veterinary care and lack of an appropriate diet.

Caters

"It's thought that over half a million animals are suffering for the industry.

"The camera is a potent weapon for getting these issues into the public domain."

According to the photographer, the privately-owned zoo was home to three adult lions, zebra, several deer, monkeys, a bear, and a malnourished wolf.

And he claimed vets who had visited the site had described it as 'some of the worst animal welfare conditions they have ever seen'.


Animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS announced it was working alongside the Albanian authorities to intervene before it's too late.

Ioana Dungler, who heads up the charity's Wild Animals Department, said: "The situation at the Safari Park Zoo in Fier is clearly absolutely unacceptable for the animals remaining there.

"The conditions do not even come close to being appropriate, particularly for large wild animals like lions and bears which have very specific environmental and dietary needs.

"Signs of the mental and physical impact of being kept in such abject surroundings can be clearly seen on each of the poor animals at the zoo."

We're just glad the animals have a chance for a happier life in the future.

Featured Image Credit: Caters

Topics: Zoo, News, Animals