What Really Happens Behind the Gorilla Enclosure? Inside the Untold Care Secrets of a Closed UK Zoo
So, what happens when a zoo closes its doors but the animals don’t exactly get the memo? Recently, the shuttered Bristol Zoo Gardens became the talk of the town—not just for its eerie empty paths but because some urban explorers decided to sneak in, filming what looked like “abandoned” gorillas banging on windows like they’re auditioning for a lost episode of King Kong. Talk about making a viral scene! But before we throw the zoo under the bus, here’s the real scoop: those gorillas? They’re not left to fend for themselves; they’re actually under the watchful eye of the Bristol Zoo Project, receiving VIP treatment that would make most luxury hotel guests jealous. So, why do these critically endangered primates still hang at the old site? And how is the zoo handling the curious—and frankly troubling—wave of break-ins sparked by these social media clips? Let’s dive into the full story behind the viral gorilla drama, the care these gentle giants are getting, and why patience is key while their new palace is still under construction. Ready to uncover the truth behind those banging windows? LEARN MORE
The shuttered British zoo at the centre of concern regarding ‘abandoned’ gorillas has explained how the animals are cared for.
In the past couple of months, urban explorers have been filming themselves trespassing through the closed down Bristol Zoo Gardens and claiming that several gorillas had been left behind at the abandoned site.
Bristol Zoo Gardens had closed its doors to the public in 2022, following financial pressure during the Covid-19 pandemic, with majority of the animals moving to the nearby Bristol Zoo Project (formerly Wild Place Project).
In one viral video shared online, an urban explorer is filming a gorilla banging on the window of an enclosure, with text overlayed across the video reading: “Bristol zoo: what are you hiding? These gorillas should never be in here.”
You can watch one of the viral clips below:
Of course the suggestion that animals had been abandoned in a closed down zoo was an extremely distressing one for viewers – and not an unheard of concept either – however, the video does not show the full story.
Who looks after the gorillas at Bristol Zoo?
Despite the suggestions made in urban explorer videos, the gorillas haven’t been abandoned and are under the care of Bristol Zoo Project.
Conservationists previously clarified to Bristol World that although the zoo is closed to the public, people continue to work there and look after the animals currently housed at the site.
“There are number of ectotherm species at Bristol Zoo Gardens, including snails, fish and crayfish, which will move over to Bristol Zoo Project next year,” a spokesperson for the zoo explained back in July 2024.
“We also have our troop of eight Critically Endangered western lowland gorillas.”
The statement continues: “The care and welfare of our animals is, and always has been, our top priority. Our experienced keepers and dedicated welfare team have continued to care for the gorillas since the closure of Bristol Zoo Gardens, just as they did when the site was open to the public.
A video showing gorillas banging on windows at Bristol Zoo caused panic online (SWNS)
“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.”
As for the reason why the gorillas remain at the old Bristol Zoo Gardens site and not the newer Bristol Zoo Project, it’s because their enclosure isn’t finished yet, and zookeepers are keen to limit any disruption to the animals by moving them once rather than twice.
The zoo is also pleading with the public to stop targeting the site for break-ins as well as spreading ‘misinformation’ on social media.
“Unfortunately, each time this content is reshared we experience further break-ins at the site, which is extremely distressing for our Critically Endangered western lowland gorilla troop,” a recent statement from Bristol Zoological Society, a charity which manages the zoo, said.
“We take these incidents very seriously. Our heightened security has ensured trespassers haven’t been able to get near to the gorillas, but each time it happens, alarms are set off, which is really disturbing for them.”
A new enclosure for the gorillas is being built (Getty Stock Images)
An increase in break-ins was also addressed on TikTok by the zookeeper team, who outlined why triggering the compound’s alarm system would disrupt the troop of gorillas still living there.
As for work on the new gorilla habitat, while the full enclosure – which also includes a crocodile and parrot house – will not be open to the public until spring 2026, the zoo said they will complete the gorillas’ new home this year ‘so that we can move the animals from the old Bristol Zoo Gardens and vacate the Clifton site as planned in 2025’.
LADbible group has previously contacted Bristol Zoo for comment.
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