FAMILIES’ SAFARI PARK HORROR
Monkey mauled to death by lions as visitors watch
CHILDREN watched in horror as a monkey was mauled to death by lions at a Scottish wildlife park.
An inquiry is under way following the incident, which left families ‘traumatised’.
The attack occurred just after the doors had opened at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling, earlier this month.
The Barbary macaque had escaped from its enclosure and entered the lions’ reserve.
Its screams were heard across the park as it tried to escape.
One eyewitness told The Mail on Sunday: ‘We could not believe what we were seeing – it’s not what you expect at a safari park. We left pretty traumatised.
‘Of course, you are dealing with wild animals who act out of instinct, but surely it’s the park’s responsibility to keep endangered animals safe and not allow them to jump straight in the lions’ den.
‘It was quite a large monkey and it was surprisingly fast, but it didn’t stand a chance. It was scary to see the lions chase it down.
‘We realised very little could be done to save it. The awful sound of the monkey screaming for its life as it was attacked will stay with us.
‘We had hoped for a happy day out with our young child but ended up having to explain to a toddler what happened to the poor monkey.’
The macaque’s body was eventually recovered by staff. Park bosses have notified the local licensing authority as well as industry body the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).
The Barbary macaque was one of 30 kept on the estate’s five-acre drive-through area. An endangered species, there are only between 8,000 and 12,000 remaining in the wild.
A spokesman for Blair Drummond said: ‘We are truly sorry that our visitors witnessed what must have been a really distressing sight.
‘This tragic event is being felt deeply by the teams i nvolved. We are taking this extremely seriously. The safety of visitors and the safety and care of our animals is our highest priority. ‘The incident in the lion enclosure has never happened before. ‘The macaque escaped through the gates to its habitat, which had been opened to allow a visitor car through. Our lion warden was alerted immediately and did all he could to protect the macaque. ‘However, he was unable to distract the lions who responded as they would in the wild.’ Sam Threadgill, of charity Freedom f or Animals, said: ‘This is yet another example of why zoos and safari parks need to be phased out. Such outdated public entertainment venues have no place i n a modern, caring society.’ BIAZA confirmed a ‘thorough investigation’ is under way.