Noah's Ark Zoo Farm hits back at animal cull claim

Bosses at a Wraxall zoo farm have denied killing some of their animals during the winter closed season to save money – and hit out at the group that has made the claim.

The Western Animal Rights Network (WARN) and the Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS) claims Noah's Ark slaughters some of its animals – including chickens, rabbits and ducks – when the farm closes down for the winter season.

The groups say that the animals – most of which are petted by the hundreds of young visitors to the farm each year – are killed as a way of cutting costs and then fed to the tigers.

CAPS say they made the discovery during an undercover six week investigation at the zoo this summer.

They claim that their investigator was told that the chickens were killed off at the end of each season in October and new ones bred for when the zoo farm reopens in February.

WARN members have written to zoo farm owner, Anthony Bush, offering to take the animals and re-home them among the local community and at animal sanctuaries across the South West.

A spokesman for CAPS said: "We think WARN have made a reasonable approach to the zoo to offer to re home animals it may plan to kill over the closed period.

"We are concerned that other animals may be on this list too – including ducks and rabbits.

"I'm sure that many people would be concerned if animals were killed when an offer to re home them has been made."

Bosses at Noah's Ark said some of the chickens were killed to ensure a healthy stock of fowl, which was normal farming practice.

A spokesman for Noah's Ark said: "Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is surprised by these remarks.

"These comments are inaccurate and emotive and the latest in a long line of accusations made by an extreme animal rights group.

"As is common in the farming industry, a small number of chickens are euthanised to ensure that we have a healthy, but not over populated collection of fowl.

"Our chickens are free range at the zoo and have plenty of space and live a happy life.

"All other accusations are untrue. We struggle to continue dialogue with an organisation that only seeks to misrepresent facts in order to further their own agenda.

"As we have stated on several occasions we take animal welfare very seriously and are frequently commended on the excellent facilities and care of our animals at Noah's Ark."

The allegations come just weeks after CAPS claimed that the zoo farm was breeding tigers for use in the Great British Circus – a claim also denied by the zoo.

CAPS also claimed that when female tiger Tira died, her body was buried in the zoo grounds.

An investigation has been launched by North Somerset Council, which licences the zoo.

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), has temporarily suspended Noah's Ark membership while an investigation into the claims is carried out.