Urban explorers captured footage of eight gorillas still in their enclosure at Bristol Zoo – three years after shutting its doors to the pubic.

The footage shared on social media shows one of the gorillas tapping on the glass window, looking ‘miserable’, the urban explorer claimed.

Bristol Zoological Society stepped up its security after there were several break-ins following its closure.

However, the urban explorer claimed they ‘walked straight through’ and said there was ‘no security’ at the zoo.

‘We spent an hour and a half in there and even came back two days later,’ they said.

Zookeepers at Bristol Zoo have responded to claims made by the explorer, which they claim spread misinformation about the gorillas.

In a video on social media, they explained that the animals remain in good care at their old enclosure before they are transferred to their African Forest habitat in the new Bristol Zoo Project in a few months.

‘How would you feel if in the workplace you came across four men in balaclavas? It’s incredibly threatening, and that’s what we’ve experienced here with trespassers on the site,’ the zookeeper said in a video posted to TikTok and Facebook.

The zookeepers also debunked claims the gorillas are ‘miserable’ and explained that the animals exhibit different facial expressions from humans.

‘It can be a misconception, that can be quite common, that gorillas look sad, but that’s just because they display completely different facial expressions than we do,’ she explained.

The video uploaded to social media by the urban explorer pans around the gorilla enclosure and zooms in on some of the troop sitting behind windows.

It was captioned: ‘Bristol zoo: what are you hiding? What is it you don’t want everyone to know?’ as the explorer aimed to share the video to raise awareness about the animals.

Animal welfare charity, Born Free, previously criticised Bristol Zoo for continuing to house the western lowland gorillas in captivity while the new enclosure remains unfinished.

Bristol Zoo said on its website the gorillas ‘remain cared for by the same team of keepers, and have exactly the same routine they had when the zoo was open to the public’.

It added that the animals used to have daily outside access both day and night, but this has since been restricted to daytime only because of the ‘risk that trespassers pose to them’.

The zoo has urged members of the public to ignore the claims made on social media and not to engage with the posts.

‘Please don’t share the fact-less videos on social media, this only encourages further break ins and endangers our troop of gorillas,’ it said.

Bristol Zoo fell victim to several break-ins and trespassers last year, which it said causes deep distress for the gorillas.

Brian Zimmerman, director of conservation and science at Bristol Zoological Society, previously said: ‘Since July 2024 our former Bristol Zoo Gardens site has been targeted by trespassers.

‘This has resulted in videos and misinformation being spread on social media. We take these incidents extremely seriously and the care and welfare of our animals is always our top priority.

‘Our heightened security has ensured recent trespassers haven’t been able to get near the gorillas, but each time it happens, and alarms are set off, it causes the troop distress.

‘It is frustrating for us to see these videos. The trespassers who broke into our site, put animals at risk and have no knowledge of animal care and welfare.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

If you’re experiencing cabin fever, we have you covered with these recommendations for the best day trips from London. Why not try one out this weekend?

‘Now I can just hold a frying pan with my bionic arm, which feels natural.’

It’s beat out some very stiff competition.

‘I thought they had killed me’

‘This is a deeply troubling incident targeting a young child.’

I’ve had to remember to add a Britishism like ‘if that’s OK?’ or ‘only if it’s not too much trouble’ at the end of sentences. 

Saturday journeys came to a standstill on the M5 after a crash (Picture: National Highways)

Motorists face severe disruption on the M5 outside Bristol after a crash.

Only one lane is open on the M5 northbound after a multi-vehicle crash …

Visitors say it’s ‘such a shame’.

‘It looked like they were going to fall out.’

He wants to install a second plane.

‘We’re lucky we weren’t dismissed.’

With rules constantly changing, what’s allowed in your hand luggage now?

Bomb squads are working to declare the house safe after a man was detained by officers and arrested at 7.10pm.

Mosquera ‘dismembered and decapitated’ the two men in a heinous crime.

Mosquera ‘dismembered and decapitated’ the two men in a heinous crime.

It’s unclear what caused the accident.

It’s unclear if there have been any injuries, but Bristol Live has reported that fire trucks are on scene.

‘For the love of God don’t open it.’

On July 8 last year, Alfonso and Longworth were attacked in their Shepherd’s Bush flat.

Ryland Headley has been found guilty of murdering Louisa Dunne.

An ‘avoid area’ warning has been issued following a huge fire near Southmead Hospital.

Huge columns of smoke were pictured near the facility near Bristol.

Bristol North NHS Trust said the blaze had not affected the main building and is under control.

In a statement it said: ‘The situation involving a fire near to the Southmead site remains under control.

One video shot by a local resident showed smoke billowing from the roof of a nearby home.

Other reports suggested the blaze had also affected a local laundrette and a builders’ merchants, with other witnesses in the area reporting a smell of burnt laundry.

‘Please be assured that the hospital is fully open, however if you are driving to the site please use the main entrance off Monks Park Avenue, and allow extra time for your journey as nearby roads are affected.’

Avon Fire and Rescue service said that as of 5pm crews had put out the inferno, the cause of which was accidental.

Earlier this afternoon it advised people to avoid the area due to congestion and told residents to keep their windows and doors closed.

It said: ‘The fire is now out, and crews have scaled back. The remaining crews are dampening down the scene and checking for hotspots.

‘Crews used multiple jets and hose reels and isolated the gas and electricity while 15 firefighters wore breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire. Crews worked with the Police and the Ambulance to make the scene safe. The cause of the fire is accidental.’

An earlier Facebook statement said: ‘Crews from Southmead, Patchway, Kingswood, Hicks Gate, Bath, Yate, Temple, Bedminster and Avonmouth Fire Stations, are currently on the scene of a fire at a property on Southmead Road Southmead.

‘Firefighters are currently tackling the fire. Please avoid the area as the road is congested. If you live nearby, please keep your windows and doors closed.’

Several local bus services have been disrupted as routes have been diverted away from the affected area.

Stagecoach West said that some of its services had been delayed by up to 30 minutes as a result of the fire.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Louisa Dunne, 75, who had been twice widowed and lived alone, was found dead in her front room in Britannia Road, Easton, Bristol, in June 1967.

A traditional shop in Bristol said to be the oldest in the city is closing in a matter of months after opening more than 160 years ago.

Soaking up the sun in Green Park, London. (Picture: Amer Ghazzal/Shutterstock)

It’s time to dig out the sun umbrellas and stay hydrated as UK temperatures look set to soar for the rest of the week.

A plume of warm air is being dragg…