Zoo Warns of Harmful Trespassers Targeting Gorilla Enclosure
Bristol Zoo faces increased trespassing incidents due to false online claims
Bristol, UK, Gorillas, Zoo, Trespassing, Misinformation
Bristol: Security has ramped up at a zoo in the UK after some folks have been sneaking into the gorilla enclosure. The Bristol Zoo Project believes this surge in trespassers is linked to some misleading info online that claims the gorillas have been abandoned.
Even though the old Bristol Zoo Gardens in Clifton closed last September, the troop of eight gorillas, including the oldest silverback in the UK, still call it home. They’re set to move to a new habitat at the Bristol Zoo Project site near Cribbs Causeway this summer, with the grand opening planned for 2026.
To raise awareness about the situation, keepers shared a video on the zoo’s Facebook page. They want to show how these break-ins are affecting both the animals and the staff, and they’re eager to clear up the false claims that the Bristol Zoo Gardens site is empty.
Thanks to the new security measures, trespassers haven’t been able to get close to the gorillas. But the repeated attempts can be really stressful for the animals, especially with loud alarms going off each time someone tries to break in.
Zookeeper Imogen mentioned that while it’s great the security is working, the loud alarms can be quite distressing for the gorillas. Every time someone steps onto the zoo grounds, it sets off alarms that can really spook them.
Her colleague Gareth compared the break-ins to someone snooping around a family home. He said the gorillas feel those emotions too, especially the younger ones like Hasani and Juni, and the older ones like Jock. After the break-ins, they’ve noticed Jock is so stressed that he doesn’t even want to move during their daily routines.
Hannah Windross, who’s in charge of public engagement at the Bristol Zoological Society, said the site has been hit by trespassers multiple times since July 2024. Each incident leads to more videos and misinformation spreading on social media.
She added that every time these videos get shared, it seems to trigger new break-ins. While their heightened security has kept the gorillas safe recently, the alarms going off at night really distress the troop. The welfare of the animals is always their top priority.
Hannah also emphasized that the keepers have been caring for the gorillas just like they did when the zoo was open to the public. They hope supporters will help spread the word about the harm these break-ins cause and fight against the misleading info that the site is empty.
It’s been well known that the gorilla troop is still living at the Clifton site, and they’re working on creating a new African Forest habitat at the Bristol Zoo Project, where they’ll be joined by other endangered species.