Questions are being raised at Britain’s most troubled zoo over who is responsible after a trail of dead animals have been found over the past eight months.
Borth Wild Animal Kingdom, in Ceredigion, was the place where two lynx died within days of each other, and now a slew of other animals have died- including an emu that escaped close to the lion enclosure and perished after being ‘strangled’.
As well as the emu, three northern bald ibis died after getting tangled in some netting and Dana, a squirrel monkey was found in her own blood in an allegedly filthy cage, according to a previous keeper at the zoo.
Mark Anthony, an animal trainer who was at the zoo, has claimed a number of animals have died from neglect, according to The Times
An emu escaped at the zoo and went very close to the lion enclosure and died after being ‘strangled’
Borth Wild Animal Kingdom is back open and ready for visitors this Bank Holiday weekend
His allegations were backed up by another former keeper at the zoo who claimed a parakeet disappeared after rats infested an aviary and an African green monkey died after being kept in a cold enclosure.
The owner of the zoo, Tracy Tweedy, confirmed the deaths of the emu and three northern bald ibis and said the emu was killed after it got ‘loose near the lions’ and was ‘strangled’ by Mr Anthony.
She also said other recently deceased animals died of old age and natural causes and that enclosures were kept clean and the animals were fed the correct food.
Mr Anthony said he had nothing at all to do with the death of the animals.
He said: ‘As for the emu, as all the staff will testify, I was dead against its capture,’
He added: ‘I wanted to round the emu up and walk behind him quietly. It’s nothing more than her not being happy I have spoken out.’
Owners Tracy and Dean Tweedy moved their lives from Kent to Wales to start running the zoo last year.
Lillith, a young Eurasian lynx which is twice the size of a domestic cat escaped from the wildlife park in Wales and was shot
Police at the Borth Animal Kingdom last year after Lillith the lynx escaped from her enclosure
Last year the zoo was banned from keeping animals after two incidents which left two lynxes dead.
Nilly was strangled to death by a member of staff while they were trying to catch the creature and Lillith was shot dead after she escaped from her enclosure.
But the despite the issues the centre will be open this Bank Holiday weekend and the ban on keeping dangerous animals has been lifted.
The council said the zoo had been reopened after being inspected.
A spokesman for the council said: ‘The council relies on experienced zoological veterinary practitioners to conduct inspections of the premises and to advise it on best practice.
‘She confirmed that ‘information exchange has taken place with the wildlife crime unit’ but she did not give further details.’