Animal rights activists claim Bristol Zoo vandalism
AN anarchist group has claimed responsibility for the damage caused to the Bristol Zoo Gardens on New Year's Day.
In a note posted online, the anonymous group admitted targeting the front entrance, smashing windows and daubing "liberate" in graffiti on an adjacent wall.
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Boards cover the smashed windows at Bristol Zoo
In their comment, the activists accused the zoo of cruelty and exploitation and committed to further action in 2013.
Bristol Zoo Gardens, which has remained open since the attack, defended its conservation work.
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The police say they are still investigating the vandalism.
As reported in The Post on Wednesday, staff at the zoo were left "saddened" following the attack on the attraction.
An appeal was put out by police looking to identify what they believed to be group of offenders.
But a note from the activists, entitled "Call of the wild or CONTROL of the wild", was posted on the Bristol Indymedia website on the day of the attack. In the letter, the group said: "We started 2013 as we mean to carry on, with an attack on the front entrance building of Bristol Zoo.
"All the glass front doors and windows were smashed. The building and 'Bristol Zoo' lettering was attacked with paint bombs as well as a paint bomb inside the building. 'Liberate' was sprayed across the front."
The group went on to criticise the "hypocritical mind set" of zoos which "put themselves forward as champions of conservation".
They said: " The ones that are lucky enough to be 'saved' are put in cages and this is presented as somehow protecting and helping them."
They added: "Behind all the rhetoric and reinvention of zoos lies the cruel reality as always of money and profit by all means necessary."
They said the "institutions of slavery" have no defence against their "reasons to attack [the zoo]".
"With this small but successful act we draw a line in the sand between us and the dominator of every creature including ourselves."
Spokeswoman for Bristol Zoo Gardens Catherine Phillips defended the zoo's work and said that the organisation had no intention of getting in to a "head to head" with the activists.
She said: "We feel very saddened that someone would choose to do this to a historical local landmark, especially one with such strong community links and award winning conservation and educational work.
"We understand that they have motivations for doing this but we stand by our credibility.
"We know who we are and what we do. Our conservation work is a pivotal part of what we do and we feel there is no need to go head to head with whoever did this."
She added that the Zoo Gardens remain open to the public and reassured visitors that the attraction is safe.
Avon and Somerset Police spokeswoman Claire Stanley said: "A thorough investigation is under way and we are exploring various lines of enquiry. However, at this stage it is too early to speculate about a possible motive for the graffiti."
Comments
by bokbok
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 3:21PM
“Well done to the Indy mob. Keep up the good work.”
by katachua
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 1:49PM
“Are the kids back at school? There hasn't been a post fom an Animal Rights nutter yet today...”
by katachua
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 11:52AM
“@bokbok
"Bristol Zoo ~ Start your journey in the dusky forest where you'll see giant stick insects, hairy tarantulas, beautifully-coloured beetles and a busy leaf cutter ant colony at work.
Endangered species?
http://tinyurl.com/bas79ku"
Your point being? Nobody has suggested that zoos are ONLY for endangered species, other than yourself, that is. I do understand that Mummy and Daddy are rich enough to take you to see these beasts in the wild. Most of us aren't, and watching them on video is no substitute for seeing the animals themslves.
I wonder how many wild-life conservationists discovered their love of animals from visiting zoos, staring with David Attenbourough himself.”
by bokbok
Monday, January 07 2013, 10:42PM
“Bristol Zoo ~ Start your journey in the dusky forest where you'll see giant stick insects, hairy tarantulas, beautifully-coloured beetles and a busy leaf cutter ant colony at work.
Endangered species?
http://tinyurl.com/bas79ku”
by Jimenez47
Monday, January 07 2013, 10:08PM
“Why don't they arrest everyone connected with the Bristol Indymedia organisation, I'm sure one of those trustafarian luvvies will snitch on their more 'activist' comrades.”
by Erinaceus
Monday, January 07 2013, 8:48PM
“@bokbok
"The Zoo keeps Ants are they endangered? What about the snakes that are kept in tiny glass tanks? So cruel."
You are joking, right? With the children off school, it's difficult to tell sometimes...”
by Erinaceus
Monday, January 07 2013, 8:46PM
“@Jonnyfandango
"@katachua - all im saying is that not all animals at the zoo are endangered. Is it ok to keep certain species in captivity just for show - to help pay for/ preserve those animals that are endangered?"
That's not all you are saying. You said that penguins are not an endangered species. I await an apology. Perhaps you would care to name those species at the Zoo that are not endangered? You don't have to risk your purity by going there, just look on their website.
Oh, and as to your question, yes I do believe that it would be justifiable to keep species for people to see, to encourage the preservation of endangered species. The difficulty with that argument is that the species people want to see ARE the endangered ones”
by Juan11_1
Monday, January 07 2013, 7:08PM
“Individuals within the animal rights movement have made many physical attacks on human beings in the past and many attempts to cause death or serious damage using explosive devices have been recorded.
Fortunately this particular brand of terrorism has been in decline in this country over the past 10 years. Smashing windows and daubing graffiti may appear comparatively minor but, as the authorities will be aware, these actions could escalate.”
by Pogo_T_Clown
Monday, January 07 2013, 4:25PM
“Yes, it's terribly sad. In the wild, snakes are well known for migrating thousands of miles to enjoy new vistas. No wait, that's wildebeest. Snakes on the other hand, tend not to travel all that far at all.
Still, why let facts get in the way of the mawkish bleating of ill-educated peasants? Alas! The world is not the way I feel it should be! eheu!”
by welliedog2
Monday, January 07 2013, 4:21PM
“Animals actually don't have ANY rights at all.
Their 'rights' are imposed on them by humans - which is a complete contradiction.
The Zoo is a caring, nurturing and safe place fort ALL animals, they are treated with respect, dignity and professionalism.
As for the 'Animal Rights' brigade of soap dodging, benefit scrounging, facially pierced, dread locked, scum sucking parasitical amoebas...a Zoo would be too good for them.
Why?
Because animals actually care about each other and their environment, whereas the 'activists' care about nothing but their own warped and selfish agenda.”