Protest outside North Somerset zoo over 'circus breeding' claims

Animal rights activists held a protest outside a North Somerset zoo to highlight the launch of a campaign calling for its closure.

Members of the Western Animal Rights Network (Warn) staged the protest outside the gates of Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall.

A small group of protesters hung a banner with the words 'Noah's Ark Hell for Animals' from the fencing outside the zoo while others stood with placards with the wording 'Boycott Noah's Ark Animal Hell' and 'Hell for Animals Bred to Suffer'.

The group is calling for North Somerset Council to revoke the zoo's licence to operate following an investigation by the Captive Animals' Protection Society (Caps).

A Caps investigator working undercover at the zoo farm, owned by Christina and Anthony Bush, claimed that the zoo was breeding tigers and camels for use in circuses.

The female investigator, who worked as a volunteer at the zoo for six weeks during the summer, also claimed to have witnessed acts of animal cruelty.

The findings of the investigation were revealed in a TV documentary screened this week.

A full dossier of information regarding operations at the zoo farm, which opened in 1998 and attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year, has now been handed to North Somerset Council's environmental protection team, which is investigating the claims.

Warn campaigners say the protest will be one of many held at the zoo over the coming months and a large picket is planned for when the farm, opens again for business in February.

Warn spokesman Chris Williams said: "Our ultimate aim is to get this zoo closed down.

"We hope the protest will highlight the concerns raised as a result of the Caps investigation and make people think twice about visiting."

The investigation claimed that the zoo was breeding animals to be used in the Great British Circus, owned by Martin Lacey.

Caps also claimed that the zoo was in breach of animal disposal regulations, following the death of female Bengal tiger Tira earlier this year.

Mr and Mrs Bush deny the allegations, saying the farm has no link with the circus and that the animals belonged to Linctrek Ltd, a company which provides trained animals for film, other collections and TV.

Mr Lacey, is also a director of Linctrek.

Warn activists are asking people to boycott the farm and are contacting schools in the area, who use the zoo as an educational resource, to ask them not to visit.

A spokesman for Noah's Ark Zoo Farm said: "The welfare of the animals is exceptional, with Noah's Ark passing Government and institutionally accredited inspections."

North Somerset Council confirmed an investigation had been launched.