Heartbreaking images have been revealed showing animals suffering in an abandoned Spanish zoo two months after it closed.
Activists say that there is a worry for escape or death for the starving tiger, bears, lions and many other animals that were abandoned at The Parque Zoologico Prudencio Navarro on Spain’s Costa de la Luz.
The zoo closed down due to a number of animals dying from miscare and constant complaints from activists.
Authorities in Ayamonte who ran the zoo were accused of ignoring offers to move the animals to a new home and making it unknown what would happen to the animals.
Unfortunately, new images were revealed which have confirmed activists’ fears, the images show various animals uncared for and suffering in their dirty enclosures.
The Proyecto Gran Simio (Great Ape Project) criticized zoo authorities 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.”
Terrados added that it was unclear if anyone was feeding the animals and said it was feared they would starve to death.
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.
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 center 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.”
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