Urban explorers find gorillas banging on window of British zoo despite it shutting years ago
A viral video has captured gorillas banging on the windows of a British zoo which closed to the public years ago.
It is often wondered what happens with the animals at zoos which are forced to close, and sadly the welfare of the animals is not always paramount, with a pair of orcas still at risk of death in France after being kept in an abandoned theme park.
A YouTuber was also able to expose the harrowing conditions at a zoo in Thailand that is now defunct, and he wasn't alone on his visit, as he discovered some crocodiles that were left abandoned in murky waters.
Bristol Zoo is the latest to be called out for its treatment of animals, with the once-popular British zoo closing its doors in 2022 due to financial pressures stemming from the pandemic, before reopening in a new area.
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However, in recent years, trespassers and 'urban explorers' have been to visit the old Bristol Zoo, and in 2024 gorillas were spotted banging on the windows of the old site, with director of conservation and science at Bristol Zoological Society, Brian Zimmerman, saying that the animals were still being cared for.
He said: "The care and welfare of our animals is, and always has been, our top priority.
"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."
However, more than a year on and another viral video has now spotted the gorillas at the old Bristol Zoo once again, having 'walked straight in', which has raised questions about their welfare.
In the video they said: "Bristol zoo: what are you hiding?
"What is it you don't want everyone to know?
"These gorillas should never be in here."
The individual added: "I, like many others, didn't understand what was going on.
"Bristol zoo aren't very transparent at all. It's in the public interest to be transparent that's why there is so much public attention - no one could care if they were honest.
"They are telling me there is no other animals in there - but I know there are birds and gorillas.
"We could get access to the gorillas - if I had wanted to we could have opened the enclosure.
"I have a lot of sympathy for animals."
While Bristol Zoo has refused to comment on the latest videos, Zimmerman previously suggested that police were involved as people continue to trespass onto the old site.
He said: "Since July 2024 our former Bristol Zoo Gardens site has been targeted by trespassers. This has resulted in videos and misinformation being spread on social media. We take these incidents extremely seriously and the care and welfare of our animals is always our top priority.
"Our heightened security has ensured recent trespassers haven’t been able to get near the gorillas, but each time it happens, and alarms are set off, it causes the troop distress.
"It is frustrating for us to see these videos. The trespassers who broke into our site, put animals at risk and have no knowledge of animal care and welfare.”
It is reported that a new Central African Forest habitat for the gorillas will open on the new site in Spring 2026.
Bristol Zoo said: "Our former Bristol Zoo Gardens site has been targeted by trespassers which has resulted in videos and false information being spread on social media. Unfortunately, the articles printed are very misleading and each time this content is shared, it encourages more break ins, causing distress to our gorillas. Our heightened security ensures trespassers can’t reach the gorillas, but each time it happens, and alarms are set off, it causes the troop distress.
"It has been well publicised that the troop are still living in the Clifton site while work is completed on their new African Forest habitat at Bristol Zoo Project. The gorillas will be moving across to their new home in the next few months. In the meantime, our experienced keepers and dedicated welfare team continue to care for them, ensuring they have exactly the same routine as when the site was open to the public. You can see a film of them being cared for here, which shows their outside space and enrichment - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj_wgd01-Zk
"The only reason social media influencers share this misleading content is to gain followers. We hope our supporters help to raise awareness of the harm these continued break-ins cause, and combat the misleading information that the site is empty.”
James Moorhouse