Miserable, Cramped, Degrading, Boring – ARAN Exposes Dublin Zoo Gorilla Enclosure
Animal Rights Action Network began an investigation into Dublin Zoo as part of our ‘Animals in Captivity’ campaign which focuses on animals kept in captivity such as circuses and zoo’s. During our investigation we documented a family of six gorilla’s living in the most horrific, depressing and visibly poor conditions at the Zoo. The gorilla family consists of Harry - large silverback male aged 23, Lena a breeding female aged 27, Kesho male aged 10, Mayani female aged 7, Alf male aged 6 and Evinidi male aged 3. The investigation also found the giant Silver back to be sitting staring at a concrete wall rocking back and fourth, we also found the younger ones trying desperately to break the rusty, iron bars that kept them from the outside world. In their enclosure it appeared that the only bit of activity material was a piece of hanging rope and some flimsy straw. Out on the front part of the enclosure the animals had no more than two back yards of an area to live, covered with grass and no more than rope to play with. Their whole enclosure was surrounded by glass that the visiting public would glare through to see the sad eyes of the beautiful, intelligent animals. Animal Rights Action Network has also received a deluge of calls and complaints from members of the public that have visited the enclosure.

Although Animal Rights Action Network is against all forms of animals in captivity we are faced with two situations regarding these animals at Dublin Zoo. One, we could let them exist in their current conditions and campaign for their release - which been realist, may never happen in the foreseeable future or indeed within our lifetimes, or Two, we could launch a campaign to put pressure on Dublin Zoo to close down the current enclosure and build an enclosure that would be modern and stimulating to these poor animals that will have to live out their lives at Dublin Zoo – at Animal Rights Action Network we are realistic in our approach and have decided to push for a new enclosure for these Gorillas and during this time make the case known nationwide what animals in captivity face and call on people not to visit or patronize such establishments and to visit animals in their own natural environment and say no to zoo’s and circuses that profit off the backs of animals such as those at Dublin Zoo.

The Gorilla’s we documented at Dublin Zoo where living in such pitiful conditions, although it’s agreed that nothing will compare to their homes in Rwanda and the Congo it should be made known that in the wild, animals react to their surroundings, avoiding predators, seeking food and interacting with others of their species - doing what they have evolved for. Consequently, even what might seem ‘larger’ or ‘better’ enclosures may be completely impoverished in terms of the animals’ real needs. Frustration and boredom are commonplace amongst animals in zoos and can lead to obsessive and repetitive behaviors in the form of pacing, swaying, and even self-mutilation. This is known as stereotypic behavior and such pointless, repetitive movements have also been noted in people with mental illnesses. With nothing to do, animals in zoos go out of their minds. Disturbed maternal behavior may involve over-grooming and the rejection or killing of young.

“The conditions these majestic creatures are living in at Dublin Zoo are nothing short of something from the dark ages, said Rita-Marie Lawlor campaign coordinator for ARAN. We can’t wait any longer, these animals are desperate, we’re calling on the public to get behind our campaign to get these Gorilla’s an enclosure these so desperately deserve.”

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