Visitors to Irish zoos ‘in danger of being attacked by animals and birds’

VISITORS to many licensed Irish zoos are in danger of being attacked by a variety of the animals and birds on show and are exposed to infections such as salmonella and bird flu.

A report on more than 200 zoos throughout the EU found conditions in many of them were “appalling” for the animals and the public.

Of the 10 inspected in Ireland, none complied with all the regulations but Daniel Turner, of the Born Free Foundation, who carried out the work, said they were “much better than in many countries”.