Most recently, heartbreaking photos have emerged showing distressed animals left to languish in a Spanish zoo after the establishment was shut down two months ago.
The Parque Zoologica Prudencio Navarra was shut down two months ago after a number of animal deaths and complaints.
A TripAdvisor review posted in October of 2018 paints a disturbing scene:
“I was shocked to see a very poorly kept, unhappy tiger who just paced up and down his baron [sic], small and lifeless enclosure. His eyes were completely glazed over as though his soul had left his body.”
“The bears, although asleep looked very underweight … The baboons, although they had the company with each other, had nothing to do … The ducks and geese seemed to be the only ones ok with their environment. Perhaps because they could fly away?”
This account alongside many others were the reason for the zoo’s closure.
However, photos recently posted to social media have confirmed activists’ worst fears— the animals have since been abandoned.
Authorities in Ayamonte had previously been accused of ignoring offers to rehome the animals, which include a tiger, two bears, four baboons, a fallow deer, and a few others species.
Activists with Proyecto Gran Simio (Great Ape Project) are now rallying and speaking out.
According to LADbible, spokesperson Pedro Terrados stated:
“The zoo is in a state of chaotic abandonment, with depressed animals unattended by veterinarians.”
“There is stagnant water in their enclosures, with great danger of infection if they consume it. It could also become a nest of mosquitos, transmitting diseases.”
“Most of the animals are doing very badly psychologically.”
It’s unclear whether the animals are being fed or cared for. “Who would feed them? How? And what diet?” Terrados asked. “What control do they have? None. We do not know anything.”
Proyecto Gran Simio is now urging Ayamonte authorities to take the proper actions t0 to ensure the health and security of the animals. They are calling for the regulation of Law 31/2003 for zoos to be drafted, which would provide tough punishment for these types of abuses and abandonment. They are additionally requesting a State Rescue Center be built to house former zoo and circus animals.
Ayamonte City Hall has yet to comment on the issue.
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PROYECTO GRAN SIMIO DENUNCIA LA SITUACIÓN EN QUE SE ENCUENTRAN LOS ANIMALES DEL ZOOLÓGICO DE AYAMONTE EN HUELVA, EN LAS QUE SE ENCUENTRAN EN UNAS LAMENTABLES CONDICIONES DE ABANDONO. https://t.co/vC8o7QvZma pic.twitter.com/LPzryROdO8
— Proyecto Gran Simio (@ProyectoGranSim) March 25, 2019
