Don’t Let Gorillas Suffer Behind Locked Gates
Final signature count: 2,747
2,747 signatures toward our 30,000 goal
Sponsor: The Animal Rescue Site
The gorillas once celebrated by Bristol Zoo are now trapped in silence—confined to a shuttered site as construction drags on.
Recent footage showing gorillas tapping on glass at the Clifton site of Bristol Zoo Gardens has sparked widespread concern about their welfare. 1 While staff insist the troop remains under care, the current location is a closed public zoo—no longer a fully fit home for these intelligent, social animals.2
These gorillas remain on the old site as the new habitat, the African Forest at the Bristol Zoo Project, is still under construction. That planned home is only now nearing completion—and in the meantime, the animals remain confined in an interim setup not designed for their long-term well-being.3
Why this matters for the animals—and for us
Gorillas form deep social bonds, need complex enrichment, and thrive in environments that reflect their wild habitat. Holding them in a defunct zoo setting while construction drags on denies them the dignity and quality of life they deserve. Moreover, multiple trespassing incidents at the site have triggered alarms and increased stress levels, forcing staff to keep the troop indoors and restrict their outdoor access.4
Compassion demands we act now. The animals did not choose their current situation—and neither should they carry the burden of delay and uncertainty. Providing sanctuary care in a facility designed for the purpose ensures they stay safe, socialised, and calm while the new facility is completed.
A clear path forward
We call on the leadership of Bristol Zoo Gardens and Bristol Zoo Project to arrange the transfer of the gorilla troop to an accredited wildlife sanctuary immediately—while the African Forest habitat is finalised. Such a move secures the animals’ welfare now and honors the zoo’s conservation commitments.
By choosing sanctuary care, the zoo affirms that compassion and humanity are not optional—they are foundations of ethical wildlife management. It signals that the protection of great apes means more than bricks and glass—it means respect, safety, and real choice.
In taking this action, Bristol Zoo will lead by example. It will show that institutions can prioritise what matters most—the lives of the animals in their care—and in doing so will ensure a better future for all.
Sign the petition now to ask Bristol Zoo Gardens to transfer the gorillas to sanctuary care until their new home is ready.
