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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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11 June 2018
Monkey 'Clipped By Car' In North Belfast Dies
A male spider monkey, which escaped from Belfast Zoo on Saturday, 09 June, has died after being struck by a car. He was "clipped by a car" on the M2 in north Belfast. The monkey was being tracked by zoo keepers. A spokesperson said: "We are currently investigating how the escape occurred from the monkey island on which the animals are kept.
Monkey 'Clipped By Car' In North Belfast Dies
A male spider monkey, which escaped from Belfast Zoo on Saturday, 09 June, has died after being struck by a car. He was "clipped by a car" on the M2 in north Belfast. The monkey was being tracked by zoo keepers. A spokesperson said: "We are currently investigating how the escape occurred from the monkey island on which the animals are kept.
06 January 2010
Cold Eye Turned On Zoo Animals
Belfast Zoo re-opened today as freezing conditions eased - only to close again shortly before noon as a blizzard enveloped eastern parts of NI. The news came as Zoo keepers began undertaking a complete head count of every animal as part of the facility's licensing regulations.
Cold Eye Turned On Zoo Animals
Belfast Zoo re-opened today as freezing conditions eased - only to close again shortly before noon as a blizzard enveloped eastern parts of NI. The news came as Zoo keepers began undertaking a complete head count of every animal as part of the facility's licensing regulations.
23 January 2009
Goodbye Circus, Hello Belfast, As New Elephants Join Zoo
One of Belfast Zoo's most iconic animals, 44-year-old Tina the elephant, will shortly be getting more company - some being former Big Top 'performers'. Tina is being joined by other non-breeding female elephants to enjoy 'retirement' and the Zoo has confirmed that some of the elephants arriving in Belfast will be from a 'circus background'.
Goodbye Circus, Hello Belfast, As New Elephants Join Zoo
One of Belfast Zoo's most iconic animals, 44-year-old Tina the elephant, will shortly be getting more company - some being former Big Top 'performers'. Tina is being joined by other non-breeding female elephants to enjoy 'retirement' and the Zoo has confirmed that some of the elephants arriving in Belfast will be from a 'circus background'.
15 February 2006
Belfast Zoo to receive award
Belfast Zoo, in partnership with Queen's University's Scholl of Psychology, has today received a prestigious ward from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ for ‘Best Research Project’. This is the highest award given by the BIAZA, and was given for the innovative research on ‘Auditory Enrichment for Zoo-housed Gorillas’.
Belfast Zoo to receive award
Belfast Zoo, in partnership with Queen's University's Scholl of Psychology, has today received a prestigious ward from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ for ‘Best Research Project’. This is the highest award given by the BIAZA, and was given for the innovative research on ‘Auditory Enrichment for Zoo-housed Gorillas’.
27 August 2001
Belfast Zoo reopens farm area
Belfast Zoo has reopened the rare breeds farm area for the bank holiday weekend after a prolonged period of closure. The zoo farm area, particularly popular with younger visitors, has been closed as part of the precautions taken at the zoo since the foot-and-mouth outbreak in February.
Belfast Zoo reopens farm area
Belfast Zoo has reopened the rare breeds farm area for the bank holiday weekend after a prolonged period of closure. The zoo farm area, particularly popular with younger visitors, has been closed as part of the precautions taken at the zoo since the foot-and-mouth outbreak in February.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
