A zebra was "gored by a rhino’s horn" in front of horrified families at an under-fire wildlife park in Scotland, a whistleblower that worked there has claimed.
The insider told The Sun that the animal, named Melton, was left with his "insides hanging out" at the Blair Drummond reserve near Stirling, north of the border.
The 15-year-old zebra was then taken away to be put down, the source said.
Alarmingly, the ex-worker said while staff highlighted problems, superiors attempted to brush them under the carpet.
“Most of these incidents were preventable. The keepers highlight issues when they arise but are told it will be fine," they said.
On the incident with the rhino and Melton in 2017, the ex employee described the graphic scene that played out in front of families.
“It happened when the park was open to the public. His insides were left hanging out. He was raced off the reserve to be put to sleep," they said.
The whistleblower also claimed that a member of the public noticed three turkeys "cooking in a bag," after bosses had them transported in a plastic feed sack.
The source said after being alerted by the member of the public who noticed the bag moving, one of the keepers was "horrified".
One of the birds was dead and the other two had to be put down, they added.
The Sun on Sunday reported this month that the park was being probed over the deaths of monkeys, lions, lemurs and an antelope.
The park is being investigated by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the publication states.
Vet Dr Mark Jones, of the Born Free charity, said that the tragedies "are indicative of systemic problems the zoo inspection system."
A Blair Drummond spokeswoman said to The Sun that they have no record of the turkeys allegation and that the claims of a cover up were “simply not true and frankly absurd”.
They confirmed, however, that a zebra did die. The Mirror has contacted Blair Drummond for further comment.
In December last year a similar incident occurred when families watched on as lions mauled escaped monkey to death.
The Barbary macaque had escaped its own reserve and climbed into the lions’ den - and was soon spotted by the big cats.
Families at the Blair Drummond said the monkey’s screams could be heard across the attraction.
