Council confirm Belfast Zoo closed due to E-coli detected in water sample
Earlier today, the zoo announced it would be temporarily closed on Tuesday due to an 'urgent maintenance issue'.
In an update, a Belfast City Council spokesperson said: 'Following a routine inspection, a small amount of E-coli has been detected in a water sample taken from the Belfast Zoo site,' they told Belfast Telegraph.
'The Zoo has been closed to visitors today as a precautionary measure while we work with the NI Environment Agency and the council's own environmental health team to carry out additional sampling.
'The safety of our visitors and animals remains our top priority, and we hope to reopen the Zoo for visiting as soon as possible. The Zoo's dedicated team remain on site today and are continuing to care for the animals.
'Further updates on reopening will be provided via the Zoo's website and social media channels (@belfastzoo on Facebook and Instagram). 'We are sorry for any disappointment to those with pre-booked tickets for Belfast Zoo today, including school groups. Ticketholders can contact the Zoo on 028 9077 6277 for a full refund.'
It follows reports that the 90-year-old zoo lost about £1.9m in the last year and an additional £2m being earmarked for safety works over the next four years.
News Catch Up - Tuesday 10th June
Sinn Fein councillor Ronan McLaughlin said 'something needs to be done' to turn things around.
'We are now in a non-sustainable position and I believe there is now the political consensus to try to bring some investment to the zoo,' he told this newspaper last week.
'We need to bring the zoo to a sustainable model that doesn't lose the council any money.'
Meanwhile SDLP councillor Carl Whyte pointed out that, although it is operating at a loss, the zoo generates around £2m a year, and what needs to be examined are its running costs.
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