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03/11/2016
Public Urged To Boycott Belfast Zoo
The public has been urged to avoid Belfast Zoo after it was criticised over the conditions in which it keeps its animals.
Appearing on the BBC's Nolan Show on Wednesday, 02 November, UUP Councillor Chris McGimpsey said that people should boycott the zoo after it received criticism from the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).
The council had sought accreditation from EAZA, but was met with a list of "very severe concerns" about the operation of the facility. It is understood that EAZA found a number of the enclosures were too small for the animals, while seven minor concerns regarding the welfare of animals were also raised.
The owners of the zoo, Belfast City Council, have said that work is already underway to address the issues.
Commenting on the allegations, Mr McGimpsey said: "I think people should stay away until we're confident that the animals are being kept in proper husbandry conditions."
He added: "They talk about the sea lions being kept in fresh water instead of salt water; they talk about sea lions being kept in water that is unclean and they talk about them being kept in a compound that is not deep enough.
"Elephants, in their natural environment, maraud in their lives over 1,000 sq km; [247,100 acres]. Elephants in Belfast Zoo have two thirds of an acre."
In addition, it is thought that the buildings where lemurs are kept are too small, and that rabbits and reptiles are not housed in acceptable conditions.
Image: Belfast Zoo Twitter.
(JP/LM)
Appearing on the BBC's Nolan Show on Wednesday, 02 November, UUP Councillor Chris McGimpsey said that people should boycott the zoo after it received criticism from the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).
The council had sought accreditation from EAZA, but was met with a list of "very severe concerns" about the operation of the facility. It is understood that EAZA found a number of the enclosures were too small for the animals, while seven minor concerns regarding the welfare of animals were also raised.
The owners of the zoo, Belfast City Council, have said that work is already underway to address the issues.
Commenting on the allegations, Mr McGimpsey said: "I think people should stay away until we're confident that the animals are being kept in proper husbandry conditions."
He added: "They talk about the sea lions being kept in fresh water instead of salt water; they talk about sea lions being kept in water that is unclean and they talk about them being kept in a compound that is not deep enough.
"Elephants, in their natural environment, maraud in their lives over 1,000 sq km; [247,100 acres]. Elephants in Belfast Zoo have two thirds of an acre."
In addition, it is thought that the buildings where lemurs are kept are too small, and that rabbits and reptiles are not housed in acceptable conditions.
Image: Belfast Zoo Twitter.
(JP/LM)
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