Report: Zoos neglect animal welfare issues, leading to animal deaths

A gorilla at the Orana Wildlife Park died of an infection after keepers ignored a keeper’s request for veterinary treatment, according to an investigation.

1 News Details of a series of animal deaths at Christchurch Zoo over the past few years include a giraffe with a dislocated neck and an otter that became trapped in a swimming pool’s suction pipe after a filter cover fell off.

Keepers claimed they were understaffed and unable to properly care for the animals, so the deaths were covered up.

But Orana management said 1 News It adheres to high standards of animal welfare but fatal incidents “sometimes happen”.

The gorilla, named Mahali, died in May 2021 after his condition worsened for two weeks.

The breeder told 1 News Their manager allayed their concerns about his rapid weight loss and cough, telling them he had a common virus.

“We kept pushing (the manager) and saying, ‘Something’s not right here,'” one breeder said.

The breeder claimed that the manager refused to call a veterinarian to perform a physical examination at least twice.

Finally, Mahari was examined—but it was too late. He died the next day.

An autopsy revealed he had an extremely rare bacterial infection.

Orana confirmed 1 News Studies suggest Mahari was infected with a virus, an illness that doesn’t usually require antibiotics.

In another case in 2021, a giraffe named Mabuti was found dead in his enclosure the next morning after a bone in his neck dislocated during the night. A keeper suspected that the giraffe was trying to reach a branch and got its head stuck in the fence.

Maintenance worker Jordan Dejager told 1 News Staff are traumatised by the “horrific” death but the zoo wants Mabuti’s body removed before visitors arrive.

He told reporters that Dejager and his colleagues had to drag Mabuti out of the fence with his tongue still hanging out of his mouth. 1 News.

“It’s just shocking.”

In a statement 1 NewsOlana said the giraffe’s carcass had to be removed to avoid any risk to other animals and it was not appropriate for zoo visitors to see the giraffe in such a state.

The statement said a post on Facebook stating that Mabuti died of “unsurvivable conditions” provided enough information to the public.

“The media will not and should not publish the details of human victims in car accidents. Animals should not be treated with such disrespect.”

In another case, a calf died after being born during off-duty hours and walked into a neighboring enclosure after its mother abandoned it. This could have been avoided if staff had closed the gate when they locked it at night, Olana said.

“The entire team is devastated by this tragic event which could have been avoided by closing the doors.”

The zoo told 1News that staff should have noticed the female elephant was about to give birth: “(It) should have been obvious.”

Investigations revealed that the most recent incident occurred in March this year when a keeper tried to move a kudu, which panicked and crashed into a fence, with its face torn to the chin.

In response, Olana said the bushbuck was “very nervous” and it was a special situation.

Many sources 1 News They later withdrew from the zoo due to concerns about this.

Although exotic animal keepers claim they are understaffed, MPI director of investigations and compliance Gary Orr told ABC News: 1 News He learned that the team was “appropriately staffed for the number of animals currently in the park.”

Olana also disputed claims of understaffing, saying “staffing levels are adequate to ensure quality care is provided at all times.”