Furuviksparken has opened its gates again – for the first time since four chimpanzees were shot dead by keepers.
In connection with the opening, animal rights activists demonstrated against the park.
– It is seen as a Saturday fun to visit places where animals are kept confined, says Malin Gustafsson, spokesperson for the Animal Rights Alliance.
In mid-December last year, several chimpanzees escaped from Furuviksparken outside Gävle. Four animals were shot dead by keepers, which led to big headlines and great discontent.
On Saturday, the park reopened, for the first time since the chimpanzees were euthanized. In connection with the opening, two groups demonstrated at the park.
– It is seen as a Saturday fun to visit places where animals are kept confined and in captivity in environments that are not their proper home environments, says Malin Gustafsson, spokesperson for the Animal Rights Alliance.
– We are here so that it will not look like that in the future. We work for a change for the animals.
Increased security at the park
Ahead of Saturday, the park chose to increase security, and the police have been on site with, among other things, drones. According to the TV4 Nyheternas reporter, the demonstrations have been calm.
Sandra Wilke, Furuviksparken’s CEO, had a dialogue with the dissatisfied protesters before the opening.
– It is important that you can say what you think. We live in Sweden and it is incredibly important that you should be able to express your opinions, she says.
– It feels good to have a premiere and, as I said, the protesters have every right to express their opinions.