 Zoo kicked out of trade body over circus connection A CAPS investigation that revealed a North Somerset zoo was breeding tigers for a controversial circus owner has resulted in the zoo losing its membership of the zoo trade body BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums). An undercover investigator worked at the zoo over the summer, revealing that the tigers who arrived in June and July came from the owner of the Great British Circus, the only UK circus to use big cats. Zoo staff told the public they came from a ‘private collector’ and the zoo owner told our investigator that he had hidden the circus connection from BIAZA.
Working with the BBC programme Inside Out, CAPS discovered that not only did one of the tigers travel with the Great British Circus last year, but the male named Khan even features on the circus promotional DVD performing tricks in the ring. In a strongly worded statement BIAZA said that the behaviour of the zoo “has brought the Association into disrepute and that there has been a breakdown of trust”. CAPS eagerly awaits the findings of North Somerset Council’s multi-agency investigation into our findings. This looks at issues of animal welfare and veterinary care in addition to the burial of the tiger. For more information on the investigation click here. Other news about Noah's Ark Zoo:
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One of the tigers, Tira, died 10 days after giving birth to four cubs. Shockingly, her head, paws and skin were cut off before her body was buried in breach of animal disposal legislation. Authorities are investigating whether to prosecute. All four cubs also died.