'World’s loneliest gorilla' set to spend another Xmas locked in 'sad' supermarket cage

It's been over 30 years since a gorilla was confined to a supermarket cage and despite efforts from celebrities like Cher, she is set to spend another Christmas without freedom

09:00, 23 Dec 2022Updated 09:02, 23 Dec 2022

Bua Noi has lived in the private Pata Zoo for over 30 years(Image: Varuth Pongsapipatt/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)

The "world’s loneliest gorilla" – who has been caged in a tiny concrete enclosure for most of her life – will spend another Christmas in “one of the saddest places in the world”.

This is despite the continuing efforts of celebrities and international campaign groups to rescue Bua Noi.

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The sombre looking gorilla, the only living one in the country, has been held at the controversial Pata Zoo in Thailand for over three decades.

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And it was recently revealed that her owner will only allow Bua Noi to finally have her freedom if he is paid up to £700,000.

This means it’s likely that she will spend the festive season begging tourists for scraps rather than enjoying her homeland.

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PETA has campaigned for her release since 2012, and say she has been at the zoo for nearly 40 years(Image: Peta Asia)

Ahead of another year behind bars, Jason Baker, PETA Asia’s Senior Vice President, said: “Bua Noi the gorilla is suffering from extreme psychological distress in the concrete enclosure to which she has been confined alone for nearly 40 years, longer than most Thai people have been alive.

“PETA has offered multiple times to transfer her and all the other animals at Pata Zoo to reputable sanctuaries, where they would have trees to climb, grass to roll in, and other animals to socialise with.

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“This shabby facility is internationally condemned as one of the worst zoos in the world. All the animals held captive there are confined to pitifully small, barren enclosures and denied sunshine, fresh air, and opportunities to exercise or engage in behaviour that’s meaningful to them.”

The Bangkok zoo is based at the Pata Pinklao Department Store on the sixth and seventh floor.

And environment minister of the country, Varawut Silpa-archa, recently expressed his desire to see Bua Noi moved to a sanctuary.

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Bua Noi is Thailand's only living gorilla(Image: Daily Mirror)

However, his secretary told the press: “We have held activities in the past campaigning for Bua Noi's release and to raise funds.

“We collected donations from Bua Noi's supporters. But the problem is that the owner refuses to sell Bua Noi.

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“When he does agree to sell her, the price is too high. Bua Noi is considered private property so we cannot do anything to remove her.

“The owner bought Bua Noi before laws were introduced to prevent the trade and ownership of endangered animals and wild animals.”

Bua Noi was moved to the shopping centre from Germany when she was just one-years-old and has been stuck behind metal bars ever since.

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Andin 2020 actress Gillian Anderson wrote to the zoo’s owner, Kanit Sermsirimongkol, to ask for her release.

Her plea read: “In these trying days, we are all experiencing the challenges of seclusion.

Pata Zoo was the first private zoo to be opened in Bangkok(Image: Varuth Pongsapipatt/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)

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“I can’t help but think about the animals in the Pata Zoo, who have experienced the same loneliness and isolation for years or decades.

“In light of the recent fire that broke out at the zoo, I am writing to ask you to honestly reflect on what life is like for animals there and to come to the decision to close it.”

An upset Cher meanwhile previously tweeted: “This man is making [money] off suffering of these poor trapped animals.

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“I need to join with animal rights activists and kind people of Bangkok.”

More than 200 species, including tigers, bears and pythons, are kept at the zoo but a report by International Animal Rescue claimed some animals were left to die.

Now, with another lonely Christmas looking likely, PETA’s Jason Baker, who has been campaigning for her release since 2012, added: “Every animal at Pata Zoo is enduring a life sentence – something not handed to even the hardest Thai criminals – for simply being different to humans.

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The zoo bosses defended its care of Bua Noi in a Facebook post(Image: Daily Mirror)

“But they could have a meaningful life if they were transferred to a facility that would provide the mental stimulation and physical comfort of the naturalistic environment they need.

“We thank Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for their efforts. I urge everyone to keep the pressure on Pata Zoo and to demand that it let PETA help retire these animals to reputable sanctuaries that would meet their physical and mental needs.”

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Pata Zoo has defended the treatment of the gorilla with the director claiming criticism of her welfare “doesn’t concern me”.

He added: “Those people saw the picture of her on the internet and assume she's depressed.

“But that's how she looks just like humans – some have a sad face and some have a happy face.

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The zoo is unlikely to move Bua Noi unless a huge fee is offered(Image: Peta Asia)

“We have been taking care of Bua Noi like our own daughter.

“I know that we will have to find her a suitable new home one day but it's not a good idea to immediately release her back into the wild without teaching her how to survive on her own.”

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