Animal welfare campaigners urge London Zoo to stop 'Zoo Lates' event

 
'Detrimental': PETA are urging London Zoo to stop the 'Zoo Lates' events (Picture: Alex Lentati)
Alexandra Rucki3 September 2014

Animal rights campaigners are urging London Zoo to cancel its Zoo Lates events after one reveller poured beer over a tiger.

In an open letter to Zoological Director David Field PETA said the events have a “detrimental impact” on animals and begged the zoo to stick to the usual opening hours.

A man poured beer onto a tiger earlier this year, while another stripped off and tried to enter the penguin pool during one of the Friday events.

PETA suggested there have even been some guests crushing butterflies and accidentally punching birds in the aviary.

The letter said: “Scientific research shows that during normal opening hours, the presence of zoo visitors can have a detrimental impact on animal welfare.

Concerns: another man stripped off and tried to get in the penguin pool (Picture: Alex Lentati)
Alex Lentati

“Zoo Lates, which take place outside normal opening hours, while animals would normally be resting, are likely to have an even greater welfare impact, particularly if the visitors behave in a manner that stresses the animals.”

Staff at the zoo have raised concerns about the 6,000 capacity event to bosses in the past.

It has been hosted for several years on a Friday night and has raised more than £800,000 for conservation work.

An investigation into the welfare of the animals has been launched by Westminster Council following the incident with the tiger.

A petition calling for a ban on the events has been signed by 75,000 people.

Mr Field said: “While we appreciate organisations like this taking such an active interest in animal welfare, we can only reiterate that animal welfare is our top priority at all times.

“We go to great lengths to ensure the normal routines and behaviour of our animals are not compromised by Zoo Lates events, and that visitor behaviour is monitored and managed carefully.

“We have not received this letter yet, but when we do we will respond in an appropriate manner, not through the press.”

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