Senator Annie Hoey detailed shocking animal cruelty whistleblower allegations Dublin Zoo today in the Senate.
The Labor Party politician gave details of a protected disclosure by a zookeeper who outlined alleged animal cruelty at the capital’s zoo.
Using her Seanad privilege to outline shocking details she was told, Hoey shared the whistleblower’s claims of missing animals, the death of silverback gorilla Harry, and a paralyzed zebra.
“Several months ago I started a series of meetings with both former and current staff at Dublin Zoo,” she told Seanad.
“By this assignment I have been made aware of a number of violations of these freedoms for animals and Dublin Zoo, the most detailed reports of which have recently been provided to me by whistleblower via protected disclosure regarding deficiencies in animal welfare management and Dublin Zoo .”
“The whistleblower has told me that there have been serious welfare issues, near misses and safety and management issues at Dublin Zoo,” she continued.
Senator Hoey told the Seanad the whistleblower believed they had “no choice” but to make a protected disclosure.
Under Irish law, workers are given legal protection so that they can disclose information about wrongdoing in the workplace.
She further told the Seanad about the whistleblower’s claims that Kildare the Zebra died as a result of complications that arose during a tooth extraction procedure.
“She was shot twice and suffered from Capture Myopathy. She was kept alive even though the staff asked for the animal to be euthanized.
“The tooth was pulled and the animal was severely paralyzed. When she came out of the anesthesia, the animal had to recover overnight,” she continued.
“If nothing changes, the animal will be hung in a harness overnight, even if she was severely paralyzed.
“A worker at the end of the second day begged for an end to the animal’s suffering. The management and veterinary team planned to leave her overnight, despite her being severely paralyzed.
“Staff were extremely distraught after witnessing the zebras being treated, and they felt they could not express concern for fear of reprisal.”
Ms Hoey added that the whistleblower alleges staff have consistently raised concerns in the run-up to the death of Harry, a silverback gorilla who died in 2016.
“Keepers have consistently raised concerns leading up to his death to support daily reports that his behavior was abnormal.”
“Keepers repeatedly asked for a vet to examine him. And eventually a vet was called and soon after he died. This has had a negative effect on the rest of the troop.”
The senator told Seanad that Harry’s story was one of the hardest for her to hear, and many of the staff she spoke to said his treatment leading up to his death was excruciating.
“I’ve seen the pictures of Harry at the end and he’s suffered tremendously. I’ve seen pictures of the animals I’ve mentioned here today and the visible unnecessary suffering they will have to endure is unimaginable.”
She added: “This is not what care and compassion for animals should look like.
“This is not the standard of care that we as members of the public and parliament have come to expect from Dublin Zoo, a very trusted and beloved public institution.”
“However, the pain of sick and dying animals are not the only animal welfare issues explained to me,” she continued.
“There is a major violation of guidelines in the form of missing animals.”
Two crested macaques were reported missing in November 2019, presumed dead, and in February, March and March of this year, a white-collared mangabey was reported missing, also presumed dead.
“Despite staff raising the issue that they were not found, management has not thoroughly searched for these animals or made the public aware that a member of the public would encounter them.”
She added: “What I have raised today is just a snapshot of the stories I have shared about the shortcomings in animal welfare and the Dublin Zoo,” she continued.
“I have pages and pages and pages of testimonials from both current and former employees, and I was on the phone very, very late until last night hearing more stories that I don’t have time for today.”
“These events are not in the distant past, they are also quite recent. I have outlined some very recent breaches.”
In a statement to sundayworld.com, Dublin Zoo labeled the disclosures “baseless” and said they dispute them in the strongest possible terms.
“These allegations have been made without any involvement with Dublin Zoo. These allegations are completely misleading and contain inaccurate clinical assessments,” a spokesperson said.
“It is important to note that at no time has a staff member come to Dublin Zoo regarding issues raised at the Seanad today.”
“Issues raised by staff members regarding animal welfare at Dublin Zoo are treated with the utmost sensitivity and seriousness and are thoroughly investigated.”
“All disclosures will be promptly investigated and corrected where necessary. Employees can make animal welfare reports through their team, Dublin Zoo management or anonymously.”
“It is irresponsible to make serious allegations of poor animal welfare standards without involving the clinical veterinary expertise of Dublin Zoo or the independent bodies responsible for checking animal welfare standards in Ireland is irresponsible and has resulted in gross misrepresentation the spokesman continued.
“Dublin Zoo is widely recognized as a world-renowned standard for animal care.”
“The physical and psychological well-being of the animals in our care is the number one priority, and ensuring that each animal can live its life to the full is paramount to Dublin Zoo.”
“Animal welfare is Dublin Zoo’s first consideration, the cornerstone of everything we do,” the statement continued.
“Only the highest standards of animal care are acceptable at Dublin Zoo and our hardworking and passionate colleagues are proof of this.”
“We are routinely recognized and heralded both nationally and internationally for our independently audited world-class animal welfare programs.”
The spokesperson went on to say that the zoo has not been contacted to “fact check” the “serious and disturbing allegations”.
“We would encourage the senator to review the two most recent inspection reports from the Department of Housing, Local Heritage and Government.”
“In the May 2022 report, which focused on animal welfare standards, Dublin Zoo was regarded as ‘a modern facility which, in our view, is well managed and with the welfare of the animals it cares for is central to every decision by operators ‘.”
“These reports are publicly available, but we will send copies of these independent reports to the senator to ensure the senator has accurate information.”
“We would also like to take this opportunity to invite Senator Annie Hoey to Dublin Zoo to discuss the allegations and learn more about the world-class animal care standards at Dublin Zoo.”
The zoo spokesperson added: “Dublin Zoo was not given an opportunity to address the allegations leveled today before they were made public. They were never raised by a staff member through the many channels available.”
The zoo went on to say that the claims “unjustly undermine the incredible hard work and dedication of Dublin Zoo’s highly dedicated team of staff and volunteers who live and breathe the purpose, mandate and animal welfare of Dublin Zoo on a daily basis.”
The claims came as the Green Party outlined its animal welfare bill in the Seanad this morning.