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File photo of a South American fur seal Ladyofhats via Wikimedia Commons

Zookeeper suspended for allegedly punching seal

The fur seal has been examined since and is said to be doing fine.

AN ANIMAL KEEPER at Bristol Zoo has been suspended from work after it was alleged he punched a seal.

The animal, a South American fur seal, has been examined by a vet and appears well, but an investigation is under way.

The incident occurred while the seal was being weighed, a spokesperson for the zoo told AFP, without giving further details.

“A senior animal keeper at Bristol Zoo Gardens has been suspended pending further investigation of an alleged animal welfare incident that has recently come to light,” the zoo said in a statement.

The zoo’s chief vet Michelle Barrows had examined all the seals “and all individuals are behaving normally, engaging happily and playfully with keepers and guests in their enclosure”, the statement said.

The animal remains on full public show. The statement continued:

Bristol Zoo would like to make it very clear that it has a zero tolerance towards such behaviour and takes its commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare and conservation seriously.

South American fur seas are natives of South America and were hunted almost to extinction for their rich, warm fur. They belong to the same family as sea lions.

- © AFP, 2013

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    Mute Lyn NicAodha
    Favourite Lyn NicAodha
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    Jun 10th 2013, 7:58 AM

    Hopefully he’ll recover…. Thinking of him and his family.

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    Mute Nickie Walsh
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    Jun 10th 2013, 9:25 AM

    The lad passed away God love him. RIP and condolences to his family.

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    Mute Lucy
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    Jun 10th 2013, 10:27 AM

    Are you sure? Is that not a different case?

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    Mute Nickie Walsh
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    Jun 10th 2013, 10:44 AM

    I heard on 9am news this morning that a 17 yr old lad who was swimming yesterday evening got into difficulty and was brought to hospital where he passed away. News on 2fm

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    Mute Nickie Walsh
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    Jun 10th 2013, 10:45 AM

    They said he passed away this morning but was brought in last night.

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    Mute Stephen Murphy
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    Jun 10th 2013, 8:51 AM

    A picture of the river, where he got into difficulty please and not the hospital. So other people, can avoid the area and hopefully he’ll recover?

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    Mute Diana Duarte
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    Jun 10th 2013, 12:43 PM

    Why to Tralee and not the CUH in cork I wonder?

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    Mute David O'Sullivan
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    Jun 10th 2013, 1:26 PM

    It happened near the border with Kerry, Tralee is closer than CUH

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