Bristol Zoo has responded after a video clip of ‘miserable’ gorillas at the former site in Clifton went viral.
The footage from urban explorers shows a gorilla tapping at a window at the site, which closed down three years ago.
It was widely shared on social media and in news publications – sparking concern that the animals were ‘lonely’.
But the zoo has said there has been widespread misinformation and misconceptions – as gorillas have different facial expressions to humans and a smile would be a sign of aggression.
It said the publicity has led to more break-ins – posing a danger to the gorillas and trespassers.
In a statement, zoo bosses said: “Unfortunately, we’ve dealt with a number of break ins at the Bristol Zoo Gardens site, and some of those trespassers have posted on social media, often with untrue and inflammatory information about the gorillas.
“Despite us responding to these claims with the facts, the misinformation has been widespread and led to concern about the welfare of the gorillas.
“The publicity has in turn led to yet more break ins, which pose a huge danger not only to the gorillas, but to the trespassers themselves.”
Staff have urged members of the public not to share such videos. They advise people to visit their website instead for facts about the troop of gorillas and information on their care.
It said: “They receive the same regular enrichment, health checks and welfare assessments, and our team are really pleased with how well they’re doing.
“As well as their team of keepers, the gorillas see vets, other zoo staff, students, researchers and zoo supporters throughout each week.”
The Bristol Zoo Gardens closed to the public in 2022 with animals gradually being moved to the larger Bristol Zoo Project at Cribbs Causeway.
The zoo said it had had to step up security at Clifton because of trespassers, which ‘distresses’ the gorillas.
They said: “Our heightened security has ensured trespassers haven’t been able to get near to the gorillas, but each time someone breaks in, our alarm system is triggered, which distresses the gorilla troop. It often leads them to miss sleep, which disrupts their routine and leaves them groggy and lethargic. This is interrupting the training our team is providing to get them ready for their move to Bristol Zoo Project in a few months’ time.”
The gorillas will live in an area four and a half times the size of their current home. The site has been designed to evoke the tree-filled landscape of Equatorial Guinea, where western lowland gorillas live in the wild.
The gorillas will gradually be introduced to visitors again after they are moved to the new site.