Orana Wildlife Park ignores animal welfare concerns and sweeps deaths under the carpet, report says

A gorilla died of an infection at Orana Wildlife Park after a manager ignored pleas from keepers to get it veterinary treatment, an inquest heard.

He 1News detailed a series of animal deaths at Christchurch Zoo over the past few years, including a giraffe that dislocated its neck and an otter that became trapped in a pool suction pipe when the filter cover came loose.

Keepers claimed they were understaffed and unable to properly care for the animals, and the deaths were swept under the carpet.

But Orana management said: 1News It adheres to a high standard of animal welfare and fatal accidents “sometimes happen.”

The gorilla, Mahali, died in May 2021 after two weeks of deterioration.

The guardians said 1News Her manager dismissed their concerns about her rapid weight loss and cough, telling them she had a common virus.

“We were constantly harassing (the coach) saying, ‘There’s something not right here,'” one goalkeeper said.

At least twice, the manager refused to bring in a veterinarian for a physical evaluation, the caretakers said.

Mahali eventually underwent tests, but it was too late. She died the next day.

An autopsy revealed he had an extremely rare bacterial infection.

Orana confirmed that 1News Mahali had been assumed to have a viral infection, which normally did not require antibiotics.

In another case from 2021, a giraffe, Mabuti, dislocated a bone in her neck overnight and was found dead in her enclosure the next morning. A keeper suspected she had been trying to reach a tree branch when her head got caught in a fence.

Maintenance worker Jordan Dejager said 1News that staff were traumatised by the “horrendous” death, but the zoo wanted Mabuti’s body removed before visitors arrived.

Dejager and a colleague had to carry Mabuti out of the enclosure with his tongue hanging out of his mouth, he said. 1News.

“It was absolutely horrifying.”

In a statement to 1NewsOrana said it was important to remove the body to avoid any risk to other animals and that it was not appropriate for zoo visitors to see the giraffe in that state.

A Facebook post saying Mabuti died of an “insurmountable condition” had provided enough information to the public, the statement said.

“The press does not and should not publish the exact details of the condition of human victims of traffic accidents. Animals should not be treated with less respect.”

Another case – of a baby giraffe that died after being born outside working hours and wandered into an adjoining enclosure after its mother rejected it – could have been avoided if staff had closed a gate when they closed up at night, Orana said.

“The entire team was devastated by this tragic incident which could have been avoided by closing the door.”

Staff should have noticed the mother was about to give birth, the zoo said. 1News“It would have been clearly evident.”

In one of the most recent incidents, in March this year, a nyala became so panicked when a keeper tried to move it that it crashed into a fence and tore its face up to its jaw, the investigation revealed.

In response, Orana said the nyala was “very nervous” and that it was a unique situation.

Many of the sources consulted by 1News They have since left the zoo due to their concerns.

But while the exotic animal team’s keepers claimed they were understaffed, the Ministry for Primary Industries’ director of investigations and enforcement, Gary Orr, said 1News He understood that the team was “adequately staffed for the number of animals in the park at the time.”

Orana also disputed claims of staffing shortages, saying “staffing levels are appropriate to ensure quality care at all times.”