Chester zoo is on fire

[KathrynOfArrogance]

And I really want to go and help the animals but I know they wouldn't let me anyway!
People are important too but the poor animals must be so so stressed!
AIBU to want them to escape :(

Bless them they probably don't get Bananas that much because they are full fat so waving the bananas would be a real treat im like that with wine 😁

@MrsJayy don't wave wine you could spill it!!

@Serin Please tell me what a sad animal looks like. I'm intrigued 

Can someone remind me how to make emojis work again?!

@ MrsJayy
£124k will buy a LOT of bananas!

Please tell me what a sad animal looks like. I'm intrigued

A sad animal is the solitary polar bear at Riga zoo (Latvia) in its tiny enclosure staring forlornly through the window at the equally lonely and stressed brown bear in the enclosure next door.

My husband totally doesn't understand animals, doesn't understand animal behaviour in the slightest but even he found it heart breaking and decided that we should leave immediately

(Photo stolen from trip advisor, I didn't take any, we didn't hang around)

@AnotherOriginalUsername Actually you've just reminded me that I saw a very sad looking polar bear in Central Park Zoo (which was atrocious - very pokey). Apparently his mate had recently died. So I accept that it's possible for animals to 'look sad' although I've never seen it at CZ.

@AnotherOriginalUsername not all zoos are the same, that's very stereotypical

I did mention on Saturday that the poor orangutan evacuees had very recently lost their 50 year old friend, I believe that would make them sad, and the fire would of added to that and made the stressed, plus change in routine and surroundings. However none of that is down to mistreatment from Chester Zoo

@Otterseatpuffinsdontthey or a lot of wine

The 50 year old orang that died recently was BORN at Chester but DIED at Colchester zoo. So it depends how psychic his friends are as to whether they would be upset or not.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-46538642

👍lots of wine

I want a tentacled snake.

@DaysOfCurlySpencer ahh bless I wasn't aware of that!! There will be some mourning 'tans about! But aside from that I still feel that Chester look after their animals really well!
And deffo recommend the secret life of the zoo program!

@DaysOfCurlySpencer wouldn't that just be a skinny octopus

If you like proper Zoos like Chester, I can highly recommend Prague. They are non stop evolving and changing the environment. They also helped to bring Prewalsky horse back to Mongolian wilderness.

@AnotherOriginalUsername everyone agrees there are crappy Zoos and something should be certainly done about them, but we can't tar all Zoos with the sake brush. Some do amazing work and helped many species OFF the nearly extinct or extinct in wild lists.

I've got no issues with well run zoos, they're vital for conservation and education, I was simply replying to someone questioning what a sad animal looks like

As someone who worked in the finance department at Chester Zoo for 4 years I can tell you that while on the face of it they provide good conditions for the animals, they feed them absolutely the cheapest low quality shite they can get their hands on. The visitor attraction part is no expense spared, behind the scenes its no expense spent.

I'm mystified why they needed a Justgiving page though. Throughout my time there they rarely had less than ~£2 million of cash in the bank, and according to last accounts they had £1.96m cash at bank. Surely they wouldn't be profiteering off a tragedy like this would they ?

People asked where they can send money to so they set up the page.

Interesting insight.

How many days would £2million last for? I'm guessing all that food and staff wages would come to quite a lot per day!

I'm mystified why they needed a Justgiving page though. Throughout my time there they rarely had less than ~£2 million of cash in the bank, and according to last accounts they had £1.96m cash at bank. Surely they wouldn't be profiteering off a tragedy like this would they ?

As a member of Chester zoo I wondered this exact same thing. Surely the damage would be covered by insurance?

It annoys me that as members they're constantly asking for more money, or wanting us to pay extra for things like the Xmas lanterns. It's expensive enough as it is.

I was very when I saw the request for money.

I find that hard to belive about the food. Am not saying your lying but surely they dont feed the lions/tigers/wild dogs Kibble type shite? and everytime ive been the monkeys have always got an array of fresh fruit/veg.

I don't think they requested any money but a lot of people were offering help and donations so they set up the justgiving

Unfortunately, from a healthcare/nursing background myself, and it is the same in all the places I've worked. Many of the homes/units/centres who excel the most and are all nice and shiny on the frontline cut costs behind the scenes. Which is sad, in that account and the zoos account, but money doesn't grow on trees and staff need wages

@IShitChristmasGlitter I agree, I think what PP meant was it will be the cheapest fruit/veg/meat they can buy. Sure it will still be of good enough standard.
Il never understand how an onion in Tesco is 11p but in Waitrose 49p shrug

Not read it all.

I’m annoyed with the zoo. That monsoon forest is a state of the art modern building. How on earth did a fire manage to start and continue to spread?

The animals that died would have done so in fear. They would have wanted to survive when the saw the flames, felt the heat and as they were suffocated by the smoke.

It has honestly made me question my membership there and opinions on captivity.

Heartbreaking for the animals who didn’t make it. And only for them.

Squirrels the fire brigade so far are saying the fire is accidental. Fire is always a risk in any building. Unless there is some sort of wrongdoing identified o don’t know why this would make you annoyed at the zoo or question your membership.