A West Lothian Zoo have hit out at a review after a customer complained their Christmas decorations were still on display.
The Five Sisters Zoo took to social media on Wednesday to defend themselves over feedback a visitor had given on a local Facebook page.
Posting a screenshot of the comments, the customer had claimed their visit was the "most bizarre experience", adding that the enclosures and animals had been "strange."
However, the zoo were quick to comeback at the feedback, and shared that their "priorities" were on protecting their animals.
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Asking if others had felt the same about their visit, the review read:
“Anyone on here who has been to the Five Sisters zoo very recently?
“We know they rescue lots of animals so went today to support them and it’s something to do in the holidays, and it was the most bizarre experience.
“Christmas decks were still up, strange Alice in Wonderland area, huge enclosures with no animals and a raven, why do they need to hold a raven?
“I know this will spark lots of debates on zoos and to be honest I don’t mind as I don’t agree with hosting animals in tiny spaces and only believe in zoos for conservation reasons but honestly this zoo left me with a strange baffled feeling so much so I feel like writing them an email."
Disappointed with the review, owner Brian Curran jumped to the zoo's defence, explaining that their recent adoption of a Russian bear and extreme weather has meant the decorations have been up for longer than usual.
Asking the customer "please do not visit" if the sight of the lights offends them, Brian wrote:
"Every year we get the same complaints regarding Christmas decorations still being on display after the event.
"We are working through removing these and covering up others, this takes a lot of time and the weather has not been ideal. If the sight of Christmas lights still being on display in February or March offends you please do not visit, if you have bought a season pass and the decorations annoy you let us know and we will refund you and cancel your pass.
"Our priority right now is rescuing a bear cub and to us this is much more important than removing Christmas lights."
With the review also questioning the "strange" enclosures and the lone raven in a cage, Brian added:
"We were asked the question asked why do we need a Raven, we were offered Robbie the Raven three years ago, he has permanent wing damage and could never fly.
"Last year we sourced a companion for him and they get on splendidly together and anyone who knows anything about birds will see these two characters are very happy together.
"Our Alice in Wonderland garden is home to a family of rabbits and we thought it was a nice display for children and most visitors seem to like it but we realise we will not please everyone all the time.
"I understand and appreciate zoo's are not for everyone but we are proud of what we do here at Five Sisters Zoo and we will not change our principles and our aims for anyone.
"Our priority will always be our animals."
