Bristol Zoo is raising funds with its “18+ Big Night Out" party (29th July) that involves alcohol, music, singing and crowds of people.
In 2015, London Zoo scrapped its late night parties after 17,000 people signed a petition to end them. Keepers had reported drunken behaviour toward the animals and people trying to get into animals enclosures, punching birds, shouting at gorillas, fighting penguins, crushing butterflies, and pouring beer on tigers and other animals [1].
Bristol Zoo claims that welfare and conservation is of the utmost priority. Yet in the evening, that seems to go out of the window, and the animals become a commodity. Animal welfare must take priority over our entertainment and financial gain. These events are unethical, unnecessary and outdated; they do not reflect the values that we hold as a society, or the love and care we have for animals.
We cannot let drunken people meddle with defenceless and endangered animals. Please stop this unnecessary disruption of the animal's lives and routines, their peace and quiet. Isn't it bad enough that they can't live where they should because of the actions of human beings without adding this kind of stress to their lives?
Distressed silverback gorilla at London Zoo who did not appreciate the attentions of the crowd one evening in 2013:
[1] Guardian article about London Zoo scrapping late parties:
Dear Bristol Zoo,
We understand you are raising funds with a “18+ Big Night Out" (23rd July) party that involves alcohol, music, singing and crowds of people.
Abusive incidents coupled with the overall noise and chaos caused by these events are doing a disservice to the animals you are responsible for protecting.
Bristol Zoo claims that welfare and conservation is of the utmost priority. Yet in the evening, that seems to go out of the window, and the animals become a commodity.
In 2015, London zoo scrapped its late night parties after 17,000 people signed a petition to end them. Keepers had reported drunken behaviour toward the animals and people trying to get into animals enclosures, punching birds, shouting at gorillas, fighting penguins, crushing butterflies, and pouring beer on tigers and other animals.
Raising funds by pandering to our desire to 'party' with the animals is not putting the animals needs first. We and our families need predictability, routine and privacy and these animals crave the same.
Animal welfare must take priority over our entertainment and financial gain. These events are unethical, unnecessary and outdated; they do not reflect the values that we hold as a society, or the love and care we have for animals.
Our pet animals become stressed if their routines are disrupted. They are kept awake when they normally sleep, are disturbed by rowdy people, and are scared by unusual noises like fireworks.
These poor animals are captives and have no choice. Imagine if your neighbours had a noisy party every Friday night, talking loudly in a foreign language you couldn't understand, peering into your home, banging on your doors and windows, playing music you hated, and you couldn't leave the house.
Please stop this unnecessary disruption of the animal's lives and routines, their peace and quiet. Isn't it bad enough that they can't live where they should because of the actions of human beings without adding this kind of stress to their lives?
We cannot let drunken people meddle with defenceless and endangered animals. Animals and alcohol don't mix. Zoos must find ways to raise money without booze and animal stress.
