The fireworks blaze killed more than 30 animals in total, including all chimpanzees, orangutans, marmosets, acouchis, as well as fruit bats and birds.
TOM DAVIDSON: ‘All the animals in a zoo monkey house were killed after a devastating fire which is could have been started by New Year’s fireworks… The dpa news agency, quoting officials, said the dead animals included chimpanzees, orangutans and marmosets, as well as fruit bats and birds…
Krefeld Zoo, located near the Dutch border, said its “worst fears have become reality” after the blaze, which killed more than 30 animals in total… According to the zoo’s website, the ape house was more than 2,000 square metres and housed chimpanzees and orangutans, as well as marmosets, acouchis and birds…
In a post on Facebook , the zoo said: “An unfathomable tragedy hit us shortly after midnight. Our ape building burned down to the foundation”… In a statement on Facebook the zoo said: “The Gorilla Garden has been spared. Kidogo and his family are fine. An unbelievable tragedy rolled us shortly after midnight. Our human monkey house has burned down to the basic scaffolding”…
German Animal Welfare Society James Brückner, speaking to Euronews, said: “If fireworks really caused the fire, this would be a terrible proof of the dramatic consequences uncontrolled fireworks can have. At least around areas where many animals live – and of course zoos are among them – there is an urgent need for protective zones where private New Year’s Eve fireworks are prohibited”.’ SOURCE…
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