GARDAI have almost concluded ban investigation into allegations of cruelty to the polar bears in Dublin Zoo. The investigation is being carried out by Cabra Garda station after a number of complaints were made by members of "the public.
The director of the zoo, Mr Peter Wilson, rejected the allegations, saying. "We adhere to all directives concerned with the welfare of the animals in the zoo."
Gardai have made a number of visits to inspect the conditions in which the animals are being kept. The zoo has co-operated fully with the investigation.
The two polar bears have been in the zoo for more than 18 years, during which time a number of complaints have been made. It is believed the Garda has examined a report on the condition of the animals written by a British vet, Ms Samantha Lindley, who visited the zoo in April and found conditions "unsatisfactory".
Green Party TD, Mr Trevor Sargent, said yesterday the bears should be withdrawn from the zoo. "These animals have been in the zoo for 18 years and have been forced to live on top of each other in a small, concrete enclosure for all that time. They are totally unsuited to captivity."
Mr Wilson said polar bears would not be withdrawn from the zoo and he hoped a new sanctuary for them would be operational by early next summer. He said the new sanctuary would be considerably larger than the present enclosure.
"The inspectorate for the zoo is the Department of Agriculture, and they can come here unannounced whenever they want. They have been satisfied with the conditions here over many years now, he said.
However, Mr Gerry Boland, environment spokesman with the Green Party, said. "The Department of Agriculture do not have the expertise to carry out an independent evaluation at the zoo. We do not know how bad those animals are because no one is allowed to have a look at them."