'World's loneliest gorilla' Bua Noi to spend another Christmas locked up in tiny cage in the ‘saddest place on Earth’ | The Sun
THE “world’s loneliest gorilla”, who has been tragically held in a tiny concrete cage for most of her life, is set to spend another Christmas in “one of the saddest places in the world”.
Bua Noi has been trapped in her cage for over thirty years, after countless efforts from international campaign groups and celebrities such as Cher to rescue the lonely ape.
The gorilla has been caged in the Pata Zoo in Thailand, which is placed above a supermarket.
Her owner revealed that he will only release Bua Noi if he is paid up to £700,000, meaning that she is likely to be left isolated through yet another festive season.
A report in 2019 explained how the gorilla was pulling out her hair and anxiously rolling around in her cage.
Scenes from footage taken also showed her looking visibly depressed as she stared through the bars of her lone cage in boredom.
Jason Baker, PETA Asia’s Senior Vice President who has been campaigning for the gorillas release since 2012, said: “Bua Noi the gorilla is suffering from extreme psychological distress in the concrete enclosure to which she has been confined alone for nearly 40 years, longer than most Thai people have been alive.
“PETA has offered multiple times to transfer her and all the other animals at Pata Zoo to reputable sanctuaries, where they would have trees to climb, grass to roll in, and other animals to socialise with.
READ MORE ON THAILAND
Wowcher drops Mystery Holiday to just £89 – you could end up in Dubai or Mexico
Search for sailors ‘in the water’ after warship rolls over and sinks in storm
“This shabby facility is internationally condemned as one of the worst zoos in the world. All the animals held captive there are confined to pitifully small, barren enclosures and denied sunshine, fresh air, and opportunities to exercise or engage in behaviour that’s meaningful to them.”
Bua Noi was relocated to the shopping centre from Germany when she was one-years-old and has been trapped in her cramped and dirty cage ever since.
The environment minister of Thailand, Varawut Silpa-archa, also said he wishes to see Bua Noi moved to a sanctuary.
However, his secretary said, “We have held activities in the past campaigning for Bua Noi's release and to raise funds.
MOST READ IN NEWS
Musk breaks silence after Twitter poll favors his resignation as CEO
VIDEO: Watch awkward moment Kylian Mbappe is dug out by Didier Deschamps
Watch Mexico fan apologise to Lionel Messi's wife for Canelo Alvarez
Liverpool identify their ‘next Thiago’ as they enter talks for World Cup star
“We collected donations from Bua Noi's supporters. But the problem is that the owner refuses to sell Bua Noi.
“When he does agree to sell her, the price is too high. Bua Noi is considered private property so we cannot do anything to remove her.”
Cher has also previously taken to Twitter saying, “This man is making [money] off suffering of these poor trapped animals.
“I need to join with animal rights activists and kind people of Bangkok.”
Pata Zoo is not only home to the sombre looking gorilla but more than 200 species including tigers, bears and pythons.
A report by International Animal Rescue claimed that some animals were left to die.
With another Christmas behind bars on the horizon, PETA’s Jason Baker added: “Every animal at Pata Zoo is enduring a life sentence – something not handed to even the hardest Thai criminals – for simply being different to humans.
“But they could have a meaningful life if they were transferred to a facility that would provide the mental stimulation and physical comfort of the naturalistic environment they need.
Read More on The Sun
You’re using Facebook Messenger wrong – texts are waiting in hidden inbox
Mum divides opinion as she admits to shaving her baby’s head
Most read in The Sun
BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty stunned by Carol Kirkwood's low-cut dress
Brit OnlyFans star, 25, dies before her baby son's first Christmas
Strictly's Giovanni Pernice finds love with show winner after going public
Ashley Banjo and wife Francesca SPLIT after 16 years together
“We thank Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for their efforts. I urge everyone to keep the pressure on Pata Zoo and to demand that it let PETA help retire these animals to reputable sanctuaries that would meet their physical and mental needs.”
Pata Zoo has defended their care of Bua Noi, with the director claiming criticism of her welfare “doesn’t concern me”.
Source: Read Full Article