[Summary] Successful Rescue of Sheep, Goats, and Monkeys Shivering from Cold Without Water or Feed at Daegu Zoo

Bigu Association "Rescued 10 Animals from a Zoo in Daegu"
"4 Monkeys Abused Under Ice, Internationally Endangered Species"
"Filed a Complaint Against the Zoo... Strongly Urging City Hall to Close It"

Some of the animals that Beagle Rescue Network announced they rescued on the 15th at a zoo in Daegu. / Photo by Instagram Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] The "Beagle Rescue Network" (Bigu Association) announced that it successfully rescued 10 animals from a zoo in Daegu City suspected of animal abandonment and abuse.

On the 15th, Bigu Association stated through official social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, "Among the animals at a certain zoo in Daegu recently involved in an animal abuse controversy, five sheep and one goat were safely transferred to a shelter," adding, "Additionally, four monkeys that had been neglected and abused while left in ice were confiscated and transferred to a safe and appropriate temporary facility prepared by the local environmental office."

Regarding the four monkeys rescued that day, Bigu Association emphasized, "They were unregistered 'internationally endangered animals' illegally exhibited at the zoo from the start," and that "the rescue was conducted following legal procedures."

They added, "This is a touching result achieved through the sincere and prompt actions of the Ministry of Environment and the Daegu Regional Environmental Office, as well as numerous public complaints," and expressed gratitude for everyone's interest and participation.

Bigu Association stated, "Ten exhibited animals have been rescued, and the animals remaining at the controversial zoo include geese and camels," emphasizing, "We are conducting behind-the-scenes efforts to bring them out and will make every effort to rescue the remaining animals as soon as possible."

A camel left in an enclosure without water or feed, foaming at the mouth. / Photo by Informant, captured from a blog post

Earlier, on the 2nd, Bigu Association raised suspicions that some animals at the zoo were being abused and neglected. This zoo, located in Dalseong County, Daegu, closed last November.

In a post on Facebook and other social media at the time, Bigu Association reported that the animals "spent over a year in hellish conditions in enclosures covered with excrement," and that "the zoo, located halfway up a high mountain, had electricity and water cut off."

A monkey (left) holding a carrot given by a whistleblower in a breeding farm covered with icicles, and another monkey licking water flowing on the ground. / Photo by whistleblower, captured from blog post

They also explained that the animals were not properly supplied with drinking water and feed, were left in enclosures so cold that icicles formed, and in some cases, were even found hanged to death.

Photos released by Bigu Association at the time showed that all feed and water containers inside the zoo were completely empty, and the enclosures were covered in excrement. Especially in the monkey enclosures, ice and icicles formed due to the cold weather, and monkeys suffering from dehydration were seen licking moisture remaining on the ground.

On the 3rd, a petition was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board requesting an investigation into allegations of animal abuse at a zoo in Daegu. / Photo by Blue House National Petition Board capture

As the controversy grew, Daegu City announced on the 5th that it had conducted an on-site inspection of the zoo and requested an investigation from the police station in charge. The next day (6th), citizen rescue volunteer groups supported the zoo by cleaning the environment and arranging food donations.

A national petition demanding an investigation into the animal abuse allegations at the zoo was also posted. On the 3rd, a petition titled "Please investigate Daegu **** (zoo name)" was uploaded on the Blue House's national petition board.

The petitioner lamented, "Animals at the Daegu zoo are dying due to poor management," and added, "Those responsible are ignoring this. Please help the innocent animals."

Meanwhile, Bigu Association explained that "On the 10th, lawyers advocating for animal rights filed a complaint with the Daegu Metropolitan Investigation Unit against the zoo for violations of the Animal Protection Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and Zoo Management Act," and that "they strongly urged Daegu City Hall to close the zoo."

They concluded by emphasizing, "We will ensure that animals abused for exhibition can live free and safe lives."