LYNX CAT DEATHS ZOO TO REOPEN
A ZOO which saw two of its lynx cats die in the space of a few weeks has reopened to the public. Borth Wild Animal Kingdom in Ceredigion closed in November, following the escape of 17-month-old Eurasian lynx Lillith, who, despite extensive searches to relocate her, was shot and killed by marksmen after being deemed to be a risk to the public.
In the same week, it was announced that a second lynx called Nilly had been strangled to death by accident as she was removed from her enclosure ahead of an inspection by the authorities.
At the time, the zoo said it was a “terrible handling error” and that staff had been under “incredible pressure”.
The Animal Kingdom was then forced to close until a full inspection had been carried out by Ceredigion council.
But a post on the zoo’s Facebook page said it was to reopen after around four months.
“I have the great pleasure in announcing that we will be opening this Saturday,” it said. “This is a week earlier than first anticipated which is largely thanks to a Herculean effort by our staff to get the zoo up to code and meet the criteria demanded of us.
“We will be opening from 10am till 5pm every day and hope you will join us to appreciate the improvements we have made.”
Following the deaths, according to the zoo, there are now 120 conditions being imposed on it by the council, only one of which it is appealing.
That condition would see it restricted from keeping “Category 1 dangerous animals” including crocodiles, snakes, cats and monkeys.
In November owner Dean Tweedy said the proposed ban, which it is contesting, would affect “around 10” of the zoo’s 250 animals.
A Facebook post last week said there has been a “more positive” mood at the zoo since the New Year, and that an appeal hearing date has been set for April.
The post on Friday added: “We still have a lot of work to do, so please don’t expect a miracle transformation. Our work has focused on the animal enclosures. We have chopped out and replaced a mountain of rotten wood and rusty wire to give the animals homes that are safe, secure and fit for purpose.
“We hope you will forgive the fact that we still have a great deal of cosmetic work to do on the human habitats. Some sections of the zoo will be fenced off for health and safety reasons, but the lion extension end of the zoo will be open as normal.
“We look forward to seeing you soon.”
The deaths of the two cats was not the only sad news coming from the zoo last year.
In December, officials announced a python called Bernie and a squirrel monkey had died, but that “there is no mystery behind the deaths and certainly no mistreatment”.
Both Ceredigion council and Borth Wild Animal Kingdom were contacted for further comment.