Two antelopes on the run from trouble-plagued zoo
TWO antelopes have escaped from a scandal-hit zoo – and rescue teams have been sent out to find them.
The pair, standing 3ft high to the shoulder, fled Borth Wild Animal Kingdom in Aberystwyth and are being searched for.
The zoo put out an appeal on its Facebook page saying that two of their lechwe (African antelopes) escaped yesterday.
The statement said: “We have located the male and are doing our best to keep him in one place as our dart team are on their way.
“The female is not dangerous at all – the male, however, has big horns, but is not aggressive.
“They will run away from people so please keep your distance and call us so that we can contain them until the dart team arrive.
“There is no reason to be afraid, please remain calm, especially if you see them, so that we can get them safely back to the zoo.”
The zoo was ordered to close in January of this year because it did not have trained gunmen in case of an animal escape.
It was allowed to reopen in February but has now closed again due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The escape comes just days after a report revealed one in five of the zoo’s animals died in just one year.
Vets were called in to investigate after a lynx escaped before being shot.
Ceredigion council said it was “extremely disappointed” by the news and have sent officers to the zoo.
A statement said: “This is extremely disappointing news for the local authority, who have issued a number of closure notices on the zoo, as the local authority has lost confidence in the ability of the zoo to operate responsibly and safely.
“The zoo operators have appealed the initial closure order and we await confirmation of a court hearing”
It was discovered that monkeys, crocodiles and a leopard also died from its animal stock during 2018.
The zoo came under the spotlight when two lynx died in 2017.
One, Lilith, was shot by a marksman after escaping and roaming surround coutnryside for several days.
The other, Nilly, died in a tragic accident after she became twisted in a catchpole while keepers were attempting to move her.
But back in 2017, Dean and Tracy Tweedy bought the zoo near
Aberystwyth,
despite having no experience running a zoo. After doing some research, the family from Kent, decided to make the purchase – making them the owners of 300 animals including lions, snakes and a jaguar.
A stock list was compiled by Ceredigion council which revealed that 57 of its 305 animals died – including wallabies, an emu and ibises.
Tracy said: “The numbers are not a true reflection of what it was like. “Many of the animals were old and not in good health when we got them. That’s why we got these animals in the first place.
“We wanted them.”
The list of dead animals also included five marginated tortoises, seven primates, five parakeets, two meerkats, one caiman crocodile, seven African giant snails and five stick insects.
■ If anyone sees the escaped antelopes, please contact the zoo immediately on 01970871224. to help