Chick Petted by Children Fed Alive to Snake in Front of Visitors: "Did I Come Here to See This?"

Abuse Controversy at Gumi Zoo

Only Three Staff for Over 100 Animals

Poor Conditions Lead to Self-Harm and Abnormal Behaviors

An animal abuse controversy has arisen after it was revealed that live chicks were provided as food for snakes at a zoo in Gumi City, Gyeongbuk Province.

Chick. Not related to specific expressions in the article / Getty Images

According to JTBC on April 7, it was reported that chicks that children had been petting in the zoo's children's experience area were fed alive to snakes in front of visitors. Providing live animals as feed is illegal under current law.

The zoo houses over 100 animals, but there are only three staff members responsible for their care. The animals were exposed to the risk of infection in poor conditions. Feces and feed were mixed together inside the enclosures. Due to poor hygiene management, it was also reported that an avian influenza (AI) antigen was detected last year.

An animal abuse controversy has arisen at a zoo in Gumi City, Gyeongbuk Province. Photo by JTBC

The condition of the animals at the zoo was also poor. A monkey was confined in a cage so small it could barely move, repeatedly scratching itself and displaying abnormal behavior. A hyena was seen eating its own excrement, while a tiger hardly moved, lying with its mouth open and tongue out. A lion repeatedly paced around its enclosure. These are all typical behaviors seen in environments of extreme stress.

The birdhouse was filled with a foul odor, and a parrot kept repeating to itself, "Hello, I love you. Republic of Korea." An official from the Animal Freedom Union explained, "Parrots are highly intelligent animals, and I've heard they often self-harm."

One visitor expressed sadness, saying, "It breaks my heart. The meerkats kept running up to people, almost as if they were asking to be saved. I didn't come here to see this."

The zoo's owner, identified as Mr. A, stated that he personally purchased most of the animals both domestically and internationally, and that he started operations out of a love for animals. When asked by JTBC about the act of providing live animals as feed, he avoided giving a clear answer, instead responding, "Are they alive?" When questioned about the kangaroos from Australia, which did not move all day, he explained, "I don't think they run around much in Australia either."

Despite the poor conditions, the zoo was found to be registered as a biodiversity management institution designated by the Ministry of Environment. A Gumi City official stated, "The formal requirements are met," and added, "If there are no major issues, most administrative tasks at the basic local government level are handled verbally." Since the zoo has technically met the legal requirements, it is difficult for the local government to intervene proactively. The municipality announced that it would provide administrative guidance recommending facility improvements, but noted that it does not have the authority to enforce such changes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.