"Horrific Animal Abuse at a Hellish Zoo: Hanging Death and Neglect for One Year"

Daegu Zoo Closed, Animals Neglected and Abused
Enclosures Covered in Waste Without Food or Water
Animal Welfare Group "Rescue Underway... Animals to Be Protected After Isolation"

The image of a screaming monkey and a goat hanging by its neck dead. Photo by Beagle Rescue Network (Biguyup) Instagram capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Recently, a zoo in Daegu City has sparked controversy after it was revealed that the zoo closed its doors and left the animals unattended due to difficulties in operation caused by COVID-19. The zoo not only neglected cleaning and management of the enclosures but also failed to supply food and water. There are even signs of abuse, such as animals being strangled to death, which has led to criticism and outrage among netizens.

On the 2nd, Beagle Rescue Network (Bigu Network) posted photos of the animals on their official Instagram, stating, "After learning that a zoo in Daegu City was struggling to operate due to the impact of COVID-19 and was neglecting the remaining animals, even cruelly strangling some of the animals in captivity, we have come to the site in Daegu today to rescue the animals."

Bigu Network explained the horrific situation: "Since the zoo closed, the animals were almost completely neglected, with inadequate supply of water and food. The animals spent over a year in hellish conditions in enclosures covered with their own excrement. When it became difficult to properly care for and manage them, it appears they were cruelly strangled to death. The zoo, located halfway up a high mountain, even had its electricity and water supply cut off."

The zoo in Gachang-myeon, Dalseong-gun, Daegu City, closed in November last year. However, a family living near the zoo, who reported the situation to Bigu Network, judged that there was no caretaker since March last year, before the closure, and has been caring for the neglected animals for over 10 months.

After the closure, some animals were moved to nearby zoos, but many animals such as camels, monkeys, raccoons, sheep, and goats remained in the original facilities. Bigu Network stated that the reporting family had been carrying drinking water and moving boxes of feed and fruit to supply water and care for the neglected animals on the mountainside for several months.

A monkey licking water flowing on the ground and another monkey holding a carrot given by a whistleblower in a nursery full of icicles. Photo by Whistleblower, captured from a blog post.

The reporting family previously shared the zoo’s tragic situation through a blog. According to the blog, most animal enclosures were unhygienic, and the animals were left in filthy spaces covered with excrement in a dreadful state. The monkey enclosure, surrounded by icicles, had broken icicles piled up, and the floors of the enclosures for mountain goats and ducks were so covered with excrement that it was compacted like a floor.

The reporter said, "(The animals) are stuck in places full of feces. The water containers were completely dry, and the camel was so thirsty that its mouth was foaming," adding, "Every room with animals was locked with a padlock, so we couldn’t enter. When we gave water through holes from outside, the animals immediately put their mouths to it."

They continued, "Since it was uncertain when they would get water, there was fierce competition for water according to hierarchy. A monkey with a low rank, unable to drink water, would sit endlessly in front of the water container and lower its head to lick even water that had fallen to the ground," describing the situation at the time.

Additionally, Bigu Network reported that rabbits, sheep, and goats abandoned in a nearby mountain caused complaints from residents, and as it became difficult for the zoo to manage them, it appears the animals were strangled to death. Upon learning this, netizens quickly called for the animals to be rescued and criticized the zoo for irresponsibly neglecting and abusing the animals.

The existing enclosure covered in excrement and the enclosure after cleaning. Photo by Informant, captured from a blog post.

In response, on the 3rd, a petition was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board stating, "Animals are dying because the zoo is not properly managing them. The officials are ignoring this. Please help the innocent animals."

The animals that had been neglected are currently being rescued by Bigu Network. In a phone interview with Asia Economy, Bigu Network CEO Yoo Young-jae said, "We plan to protect the abused animals through isolation measures in accordance with the Animal Protection Act."

CEO Yoo added, "Regarding the four monkeys, they are endangered species under the Wildlife and Zoo Management Act, so the zoo must register the breeding facilities with the Environmental Agency, but they have been confirmed as unregistered animals. There are also other unregistered animals. This is clearly illegal behavior by the zoo, so we expect the zoo to be shut down. After filing a complaint, we plan to take custody of the animals."

However, the zoo denies the abuse allegations, claiming that staff managed and cared for the animals. In response, CEO Yoo said, "Since last month, we have visited the zoo to plan the rescue, deployed personnel, and provided food to the animals. Each visit lasts more than four hours, but we have never seen a caretaker even once," explaining, "It was not an environment where animals could survive. Many animals had poor fur condition, inflammation, or malnutrition."

On the 3rd, Daegu City Hall conducted health checks on the animals through veterinarians and announced that the animals' health condition was 'good.' Regarding this, CEO Yoo pointed out, "The informant provided at least the minimum water and food needed for survival, and Bigu Network supplied sufficient feed and vegetables for over 20 days. That is why the animals’ health has somewhat recovered. However, claiming there was no animal abuse based solely on this result is misleading. Anyone can objectively judge the situation by looking at the photos of the zoo."