Video showing a group of gorillas still living inside Bristol’s abandoned zoo – three years after it closed its doors to the public – has gone viral online.

The footage shows the gorillas roaming the empty park grounds alone, trying to survive as best they can.

A group of people, who have not been named, entered the empty zoo and spent hours recording images of abandonment, until they encountered the gorillas. They then uploaded the sad images online to “find the animals responsible and raise public awareness”.

“Bristol Zoo: What Are You Hiding? What don’t you want everyone to know? These gorillas should never be in here,” they said.

As park officials announced when it closed, the gorillas will be moved “within a few months” to their new African Forest habitat-style environment at the new Bristol Zoo.

However, the park continues to house the gorillas in captivity, while the new site at a different location in the city remains unfinished.

For their part, the park officials referred to me as “burglars”, assuring that they are taking care of the gorillas’ well-being.

“The care and welfare of our animals is always our highest priority. Our experienced keepers and dedicated welfare team have continued to care for the gorillas since Bristol Zoo closed, just as they did when the site was open to the public.