A Scots dad has hit out after a man exposed himself in front of his young children during a visit to Blair Drummond Safari Park.
Andrew Clark was at the Stirling animal park on Saturday May 28 with his eight-year-old son and four-year-old daughter, when he noticed a man standing behind a small perimeter fence with his hands down his trousers as he began fondling himself.
The 37-year-old former soldier said the man was staring at the family as he exposed his penis.
Dad-of-two Andrew, from Whitburn, said he could not believe what he saw and quickly tried to usher his kids away from the situation, however they were already aware of what was going on.
He told the Daily Record: "We were walking down a wee hill near the dinosaur encounter when I noticed the man standing behind a small fence. I had taken a picture of the kids and noticed him in the background.
"His hands were down his trousers and the next minute his bits were on show and he looked like he was masturbating.
"I couldn't believe my eyes. I was totally horrified at what was happening.
"I had hoped the kids hadn't seen it, but I quickly realised they had. I'm not sure just how much they witnessed as I didn't want to ask them questions, but my son did point and asked why the man was touching his willy.
"I was just so angry that they had been exposed to this. I wanted to shout and tell him to stop, but I also didn't want to make a scene and highlight it to other families."
Andrew said he quickly alerted a member of the safari park staff, but claims he was told it was nothing to do with them and they couldn't do anything about it.
Blair Drummond have since apologised to Andrew and his family and said the person responsible is a resident at neighbouring care facility.
The man is understood to be cared for by Camphill Blair Drummond, which looks after people with learning disabilities.
In an email to Andrew, the safari park wrote: "I’m so sorry that while visiting the Safari Park on Saturday 28 th May, your children witnessed inappropriate behaviour from our neighbour. I appreciate that it must have been upsetting to you all.
"Please be reassured that as soon as this matter was brought to our attention, we phoned our neighbours and have also discussed with them your complaint.
"Our neighbours wish to apologise for any upset that this incident has caused you and your family. They are a care setting for adults with complex learning disabilities and when contacted by the Safari Park on Saturday, took immediate, appropriate actions, with the individual concerned then supported to understand the impact of their behaviour.
"They have also advised us that the incident has been appropriately reported and additional screening will be installed on the perimeter with the Safari Park.
"We are grateful that you brought this incident to our attention and I can only apologise to you and your family for the distress this situation caused.
In a statement to the Record, a spokesperson for Blair Drummond Safari Park said: "On Saturday, May 28 a visitor reported witnessing inappropriate behaviour from our neighbour. As soon as this matter was brought to our attention, we contacted them.
"They are a care setting for adults with complex learning disabilities and when contacted by the Safari Park on Saturday, took immediate action. They have also advised us that the incident has been appropriately reported and additional screening will be installed on the perimeter with the Safari Park."
Andrew added: "I just feel extremely disappointed that our favourite weekend treat was ruined by what we now know was an unattended person with special needs.
"I don't have any anger towards the poor guy, but there should have been appropriate supervision and a more serious response from the park.
"An expensive day was ruined by what I feel is inadequate preventative measures.
"The gentleman shouldn't have been in the position to do what he did and my family should have been better protected from this situation."
A spokesperson for Camphill Blair Drummond said: "We received a phone call from the Safari Park just after lunch on Saturday, advising us of a concern relating to an alleged incident that may have involved one of the people we support who was in our gardens.
"We took appropriate, immediate action based on the information received to ensure the person concerned returned to their home.
"The alleged incident has been appropriately reported and we are installing additional privacy screening on the boundary fence between our gardens and the Safari Park.
"We have also reviewed the care and support needs of the person we understand to have been involved in this alleged incident, ensuring their support remains appropriate and responsive.
"We apologise for any upset and distress that this alleged incident has caused to the family concerned."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
