EERIE pictures show a rotting zoo once filled with rare wild animals that still has terrifying ‘danger to life’ signs on the walls.
New images show The Jungle Zoo in Cleethorpes, Lincs, with abandoned enclosures, trashed buildings, and paths overrun by weeds.
mediadrumimagesThe zoo was abandoned in 2022 and has since been overrun by plants and graffit[/caption]
mediadrumimagesThe entrance to The Jungle Zoo in Lincolnshire which has been abandoned[/caption]
mediadrumimagesEnclosures is still set up to house animals but have been abandoned[/caption]
mediadrumimagesBird enclosures still stand at the abandoned zoo in Cleethorpes[/caption]
The snaps were captured just days ago by urban explorer Daniel Sims, 35, after the zoo closed in October, 2022.
Daniel’s images show abandoned enclosures being overrun by weeds and a trashed building that has rubbish strewn across the floor.
He said: “The front was sealed however the site was open at the side and the back doors had been ripped off or had collapsed allowing full access to the site.
“I was quite excited as I love sites like this even though its sad to see such leisure sites left abandoned. It is something different to see.”
The zoo had been home to meerkats, tarantula, an armadillo, sugar gliders, snakes, coati, and even lemur.
But now a ‘to let’ sign sits at the front entrance and glass enclosures have been smashed in by vandals.
One wooden stand had been home to insects like scorpions and spiders, but it has been guttered and all that remains are the signs showing which animal lived where.
Another abandoned enclosure has branches and ropes still hung up and could have possibly housed monkeys, possibly the lemurs.
But the grass has grown tall and the glass windows that separated man from animal have gone.
In some former enclosures, graffiti artists have left their colourful tags behind as they are free to spray in peace unmolested by police.
One enclosure continues to have an ‘Animal escape procedure’ sign on display.
That guides staff to raise the alarm if an animal makes a run for freedom, monitor its movement, and alert the capture team.
A picture shows a room that looks like it would have been a staff room trashed with rubbish strewn across the floor and the ceiling falling in.
Paths where people once walked along on an enjoyable day out are now covered in weeds.
mediadrumimagesA kitchen staff room area lies abandoned and falling apart[/caption]
mediadrumimagesDaniel said one of the best bits about exploring an abandoned zoo was guessing where animals once went[/caption]
mediadrumimagesInstructions for staff members if an animal escaped while the zoo was in operation[/caption]
Despite only being abandoned for 18 months, Daniel described the vandalism as “bad” and said the place had been stripped for parts.
He said: “The old cages and enclosures were still intact and as someone who has never seen this place open I was quite impressed with the space for a small zoo and the main area and pool was interesting.
“I love taking photos of different things and items and dramatic places such as this and with this place, there was so much to enjoy and take photos of such as the old cages etc.
“Personally, I love seeing zoos and seeing how the animals are kept, the enclosures still had everything inside and it’s fun trying to work out what animals were kept at the place which is harder with no animal signs.”
What happened to the animals?
Before the zoo closed in October, 2022, it released a statement explaining how their primary focus was their animals.
The statement said: “The Jungle Zoo will be closing its doors for the final time on the 2nd of October 2022.
“We have seen an enormous rise in general running costs and due to several factors it has become clear the zoo is no longer able to carry on.
“As you can imagine it has taken a lot of thinking about, we are devastated but we simply have no choice.
“Our animals will be transferred to reputable collections around the UK, with only the best being chosen for each species and we are trying to keep them as local as possible so you can still visit your favourite characters.
“All staff will remain employed and on site night and day as normal until the very last animal has left.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers who have supported us over the years, you made us what we are and gave us plenty to smile about on a daily basis.
“We pride ourselves on being a friendly little zoo and we’ve made life long friends that have turned into our little ‘zoo family’ so from us. Thank you!”
mediadrumimagesEnclosures had become a safe place for taggers[/caption]
mediadrumimagesGlass has been smashed as enclosures have been beaten in by vandals[/caption]
mediadrumimagesAn insect enclosure was gutted, but descriptions of what were there remained[/caption]
mediadrumimagesTrees and plants inside one building had begun to rot and die[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
