Animals are left to die at abandoned Spanish zoo, with animals including bears and a tiger languishing in run-down enclosures
- Zoo on Spain’s Costa de la Luz closed after complaints over animal deaths
- But owners have simply left the remaining animals to languish in their cages
- Images show a bear, a tiger, baboons and deer left to fend for themselves
- Activists warn animals will likely die or escape if nothing is done to help them
Heartbreaking images have emerged showing miserable animals languishing in an abandoned zoo two months after it closed.
Activists say there’s a risk of escape or death for the bears, tiger and other animals left at The Parque Zoologico Prudencio Navarro on Spain’s Costa de la Luz.
The zoo closed after a number of animal deaths and a string of complaints from activists.
A bear sits in its cage after being abandoned at The Parque Zoologico Prudencio Navarro on Spain’s Costa de la Luz which closed after a number of animal deaths
A tiger is just one of the animals that activists found abandoned inside the zoo after simply walking into the abandoned park. They warn the animals will die or escape if nothing is done
In the wake of the closure, authorities in Ayamonte – who run the zoo – were accused of ignoring offers to rehome the animals, leaving their ultimate fate a mystery.
But new images have confirmed activists’ fears, showing bears, a tiger, four baboons and various other creatures still languishing in their filthy enclosures.
The Proyecto Gran Simio (Great Ape Project) slammed zoo bosses for failing to act and said the lack of security could lead to the animals escaping.
Spokesman Pedro Terrados said: ‘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 mosquitoes, transmitting diseases.
‘Most of the animals are doing very badly psychologically.’
Mr Terrados added that it was unclear who was feeding the animals, if anyone, and said it was feared they would die.
Four baboons have been left to rot inside this dirty enclosure. The activists who found them said it is not clear who is feeding the animals, if anyone
Animals campaigners said that all of the animals found are ‘doing badly psychologically’ and are showing signs of malnutrition
He said: ‘Who would feed them? How? And what diet? How many vitamins to each species? What control do they have? None. We do not know anything.
‘On the other hand there is a tremendous lack of security. Until it came out in the media, they had not closed the way to people, because they left the doors open.’
Council chiefs are now being urged to act ‘before some animals die, or a serious accident or escape occurs due to lack of security’.
Mr Terrados said: ‘The animals at the zoo should go to specialized sanctuaries of wild animals.
‘We are fighting in Spain for the state to create a rescue centre to accommodate the animals that are abandoned by zoos or circuses that stop using them.
‘It is not ethical or educational to visit animals that have lost all their essence as a species, where they are bored and withered, and lifeless cards existing only for the amusement of humans.
‘The cages of the zoos are being emptied by death of the animals. They must be closed forever and not used to exploit animals economically.’
The animals are also at risk of infection from stagnant pools of water left in their enclosures, which could also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, campaigners say
Activists are calling for the animals to be taken away from the owners and sent to specialist sanctuaries so they can be properly cared for