Whipsnade Zoo 90th birthday celebrations postponed as investigation into shooting of bears begins

Whipsnade Zoo has taken the decision to postpone its 90th birthday celebrations this weekend after staff had to shoot two brown bears dead.

The bears escaped their enclosure at the Bedfordshire zoo after strong winds toppled a tree, which gave them access to a boar enclosure.

The tree fell in such a way that it formed a bridge between the enclosures, allowing two female brown bears - called Snow White and Sleeping Beauty - to enter the wild boar enclosure, where they attacked a male boar.

Zookeepers spotted the breach, and activated their emergency protocols. They assessed the situation and agreed that they would have to euthanise the bears. Whipsnade said that there was an immediate threat to human life, which meant the decision "was made for them.

Brown bears at Whipsnade Credit: ZSL

The fence to the boar enclosure is a low one, which meant the bears could have escaped had they tried.

ZSL Chief Curator, Malcolm Fitzpatrick said: "The colleagues involved today have experienced the dreadful situation that every vet and keeper thoroughly trains for, but hopes will never come to pass."

The zoo explained that it would not have been effective to use tranquilizers on the bears, because they can take at least 20 minutes to work, which a spokesperson said was a risk they could not take.

One bear, who did not leave her enclosure, is safe and well, and vets are examining the injured boar.

The zoo said a full investigation was being carried out.

The international animal welfare charity, Born Free is "shocked and appalled" by the incident.

Born Free’s Executive President, Will Travers OBE, said: "This tragic incident should be a wake-up call requiring all captive facilities to immediately review their enclosures and procedures to ensure that fences cannot be breached by a fallen tree or anything else which, in this case, has led to the death of these two bears."