Eight Spanish zoos are being accused of animal cruelty and misconduct by the Spanish-based organization Animal Equality. The organization said in a recent report that the zookeepers and visitors engaged in blatant animal cruelty. It said that living conditions in 8 zoos across the country are unsuitable and dangerous for the animals there. The Animal Equality report said animals were locked in small cages with other animals, which led to violence erupting between the animals. A spokesperson for the group, Sharon Nunez, said video recorded inappropriate behavior from zookeepers and visitors during attempts to make animals perform. “Animals in zoos display the same behavior as animals in captivity, therefore, instead of bringing children closer to the animals, zoos distort a child's view of them,” said Nunez. Nunez said zoos have no educational function for children and added that they all should be closed down. Some of the zoos under investigation are in Madrid, Barcelona, Cordoba and Rio Safari Park in Valencia. The worst results were found in Madrid, Guillena and Castellar, the group said. BM
