Park will remain open except for affected enclosure while cause of blaze is investigated

Thirteen monkeys have died in a fire at Woburn safari park in Bedfordshire, believed to have been sparked by a faulty generator.

The blaze started in the patas monkey house within the drive-through enclosure of the park in the early hours of Tuesday. It was spotted by security guards on a routine patrol and three appliances from the Bedfordshire fire brigade attended.

A spokesman for the safari park said: “Devastatingly for everyone at the park, none of the 13 animals could be saved. All other animals within the jungle drive-through enclosure are being monitored, but early signs suggest that they have not been affected.”

The park will remain open but the jungle enclosure will be closed.

The fire comes 10 days after a blaze at London zoo killed an aardvark and four meerkats.

A safari park spokesman, Drew Mullin, told Sky News an initial investigation by the fire service suggested a generator fault was to blame.

“We must now clear up and look after the staff,” he said. “They are devastated. They build up a bond with the animals. We will keep the jungle closed for today, tomorrow and the next few days and then we will make a decision about reopening.”

Bedfordshire fire and rescue service said: “We have concluded that it is likely that the fire started accidentally in a generator.”

A spokesman said its firefighters had gone to the safari park at 2.37am and found the patas monkey house ablaze with its roof fallen in. They spent more than two hours at the scene before the incident was declared closed at 4.46am. The building was 90% damaged by the fire.

Patas monkeys, also known as hussar monkeys, are found in the open grasslands of central Africa. They have long limbs and their back legs are so powerful that they can reach speeds of up to 35mph (56km/h), making them the fastest primates in the world.

According to the safari park’s website, the monkeys had 6.5 hectares (16 acres) in which to roam but were confined to their house at night-time during the winter.

The Captive Animals’ Protection Society said the fire showed the dangers animals were exposed to in zoos.

Nicola O’Brien, a campaign manager for the charity, said: “It’s just one of the risks of having animals trapped in cages. It must have been an absolutely horrific death for them. Obviously accidents do happen, but we do think it calls into question the whole point of why we place animals in captivity in the first place.

“You’re taking animals and putting them in an unnatural environment which risks their welfare. When a fire happens [in captivity] there’s nothing they can do. Patas monkeys are a species that in the wild could react very fast.”

London zoo’s annual stock take was due to take place on Tuesday, but it said it had been postponed as a result of last month’s blaze. The annual count will now take place next month, as will that at Whipsnade zoo which, like London zoo, is owned by ZSL (Zoological Society of London).

The fire at London zoo broke out at about 6am on 23 December in the animal adventure section, destroying a cafe, shop and about half of the adjacent petting zoo. It reopened to visitors the next day.</s>LONDON (AP) - Officials say 13 monkeys have died in a fire at a safari park in England, marking the second major fire at an animal attraction in the last two weeks.

The fire started early Tuesday morning in the Patas monkey house at Woburn Safari Park, located 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of London. The enclosure is part of the African Forest drive-through section of the popular attraction.

The park said in a statement that nothing could be done to prevent the death of the 13 Patas monkeys. "Staff and fire crews attended the scene; however, devastatingly for everyone at the park, none of the 13 animals could be saved," the park said.

The sign for the Woburn Safari Park in Woburn England Tuesday Jan. 2, 2018 . Officials say 13 monkeys have died in a fire at the safari park. The fire started early Tuesday morning in the monkey house at Woburn Safari Park. A spokesman said staff and fire crews rushed to the scene but the 13 monkeys could not be saved. (John Stillwell/PA via AP)

Firefighters found the Patas monkey house ablaze with the roof caved in when they arrived. Officials said 90 percent of the building was damaged.

It took just over two hours to control the fire.

Early indications are that other animals were not injured. The safari park houses a variety of animals including elephants, lions and zebras.

The fire follows a Dec. 23 blaze at London Zoo that killed an aardvark and four meerkats. The cause of that fire, which badly damaged a cafe, has not been established.

The London zoo Tuesday postponed its annual animal census, which is required by law in order for the zoo to maintain its operating license, because of the fire.

Officials say the cause of the Woburn Safari Park fire is being investigated. The park will remain open except for the African jungle enclosure section.</s>LONDON -- Officials say 13 monkeys have died in a fire at a safari park in England, marking the second major fire at an animal attraction in the last two weeks.

The fire started early Tuesday morning in the Patas monkey house at Woburn Safari Park, located 50 miles (80 kilometres) north of London. The enclosure is part of the African Forest drive-through section of the popular attraction.

The park said in a statement that nothing could be done to prevent the death of the 13 Patas monkeys. "Staff and fire crews attended the scene; however, devastatingly for everyone at the park, none of the 13 animals could be saved," the park said.

Firefighters found the Patas monkey house ablaze with the roof caved in when they arrived. Officials said 90 per cent of the building was damaged.

It took just over two hours to control the fire.

Early indications are that other animals were not injured. The safari park houses a variety of animals including elephants, lions and zebras.

The fire follows a Dec. 23 blaze at London Zoo that killed an aardvark and four meerkats. The cause of that fire, which badly damaged a cafe, has not been established.

The London zoo Tuesday postponed its annual animal census, which is required by law in order for the zoo to maintain its operating license, because of the fire.

Officials say the cause of the Woburn Safari Park fire is being investigated. The park will remain open except for the African jungle enclosure section.</s>A devastating blaze has killed 13 monkeys living at a safari park when a roof collapsed - just 10 days after five animals died following a fire at London Zoo.

The fire ripped through the winter enclosure at the Woburn Safari Park for more than two hours and killed all of the Patas monkeys inside.

The building where the monkeys spend their nights in the cold winter months was virtually completely destroyed by the fire at the park in Bedfordshire.

It comes just days after blaze broke out in the animal adventure section at London Zoo on December 23, which killed a nine-year-old aardvark and four meerkats.

The park today confirmed it is investigating what caused the fire and the Jungle enclosure will be the only part which will remain closed.

The Patas monkeys are the park's most-loved animals because they often climb on cars as visitors drive through and staff are said to be devastated today.

Animal lovers were quick to share their sadness after hearing that the 13 monkeys had perished in the fire.

Martin Underhay wrote on Twitter: 'This is so sad. We love monkey world and so sad to see so many of these incredible animals being killed at Woburn.'

Siobhan @Mum-to-4 said: 'Really sad to read this. We always loved seeing the monkeys at @Woburn-Safari. Thoughts with everyone dealing with this. Poor monkeys.'

Pam Graney added: 'So so so sad only down the road from me. Horrid news to wake up to.'

Some users were quick to criticise the park for caging the animals.

@Fiendish-Swine wrote: 'Woburn Safari Park fire: Thirteen monkeys killed, another reason why animals should not be caged up in a zoo, firstly London Zoo now this shame on the owners.'

However, responding to the comments on Twitter, @AsherRD28 said: 'Anyone that has been to @Woburn-Safari knows what a great park it is. This is just a terrible freak accident.

'Animals there are very well looked after and people forget that they have taken in numerous endangered animals from around the world, so many negative people quick to blame.'

Usually the Patas monkeys are allowed to freely roam around their 16-acre enclosure but they were seeking shelter from the cold weather when the fire started.

Emergency services were called at 2.37am on Tuesday after staff spotted the blaze during a routine patrol of the African Forest drive-through area.

They rushed to the scene but none of the 13 animals inside could be saved.

The Patas monkeys are housed in their enclosure during the winter months but have 24/7 access to the site in the summer.

A spokesman for the safari park confirmed it is open today and said: 'In the early hours of Tuesday January 2, a fire broke out in the Patas Monkey house within the African Forest drive-through enclosure of the park.

'Staff and fire crews attended the scene, however devastatingly for everyone at the park, none of the thirteen animals could be saved.

'All other animals within the jungle drive-through enclosure are being monitored, but early signs suggest that they have not been affected.

'An investigation is under way into the cause of the fire and whilst the park will remain open, the Jungle enclosure will remain closed for investigation.

'The park is grateful to the quick response from Bedfordshire Fire Brigade, who attended with three appliances.'

Fire crews were able to put the fire out at 4.46am and firefighters said 90 per cent of the building was damaged.

A Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue spokesman said: 'Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended a fire at a monkey enclosure at Woburn Safari Park at 2.37am this morning.

'When firefighters from Woburn and Dunstable Community Fire Stations arrived along with the water carrier from Toddington they found the outbuilding housing Patas monkeys was well alight and its roof had fallen in.

'They fought the fire using fire hoses while wearing breathing apparatus to protect themselves from the smoke and fumes. The building was 90 per cent damaged by the fire.

'The fire was spotted by security guards on a routine patrol. There were a number of fatalities amongst the monkeys housed in the building. The incident was closed at 4.46am.'

In March 2000, an entire colony of Rhesus Macaque monkeys were culled by six marksman after tests revealed that they were carrying the Simian herpes B virus at the park.

It comes after a blaze broke out in the animal adventure section at London Zoo on December 23, destroying the cafe, shop and around half of the adjacent petting zoo.

Misha, a nine-year-old aardvark, died from smoke inhalation, while four meerkats were also thought to have perished.

It is not yet known what caused either the London Zoo fire or the Woburn Safari Park blaze.</s>Thirteen monkeys have been killed after a fire broke out at Woburn Safari Park in the early hours of this morning (2 January).

The animals, all of which were Patas monkeys, were being kept indoors for the winter months in an enclosure in the park’s 18-acre African jungle section.

Although firefighters from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service fought to save them, the roof of the enclosure had already collapsed in on the monkeys by the time crews arrived at the scene shortly after 2.30am.

In a statement, the safari park described how staff had been left “devastated” by the monkeys' deaths.

The deadly blaze comes just over a week after a fire broke out at London Zoo, killing an aardvark and four meerkats.

In a statement, a spokesman for Woburn Safari Park said: "Staff and fire crews attended the scene, however devastatingly for everyone at the park, none of the 13 animals could be saved.

"All other animals within the jungle drive-through enclosure are being monitored, but early signs suggest that they have not been affected.

"An investigation is now underway into the cause of the fire and the jungle enclosure will remain closed for investigation.

"The rest of the park will remain open."

Describing the Patas monkeys, a page on the park's website reads: "Our troop of Patas monkeys can be seen on the road safari in the African Jungle.

"Here they roam in their 16 acre exhibit with our troop of Barbary macaques and herd of Eastern Mountain Bongo.

"They are housed at night time in the winter but in the warm summer months they have 24/7 access to their large exhibit."

A spokesman from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue said: "Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended a fire at a monkey enclosure at Woburn Safari Park at 2.37am this morning.

"When firefighters from Woburn and Dunstable Community Fire Stations arrived along with the water carrier from Toddington they found the outbuilding housing Patas monkeys was well alight and its roof had fallen in.

"They fought the fire using fire hoses while wearing breathing apparatus to protect themselves from the smoke and fumes.

"The building was 90 per cent damaged by the fire."

Patas monkeys originate from Africa, where they live in open grassland, wooded savannahs and dry woodland.

They grow up to 85cm in length and their tails grow to 75cm.

Males can weigh up to 12 kg and females 6.5 kg and they have a lifespan of up to 20 years.

In Africa, Patas monkeys are hunted for meat and are persecuted as a crop pest.</s>Staff at Woburn Safari Park say they’re devastated after its entire troop of 13 Patas monkeys died in a fire which broke out in their enclosure – just days after several animals were killed in a blaze at London zoo. Officials said although staff and firefighters rushed to the scene in the early hours of this morning, it’s thought all the monkeys had already died before they arrived.</s>A total of 13 monkeys were killed in a fire at a safari park in England on Tuesday.

The fire broke out in the Patas monkey house in the early hours of the morning at the safari park, located in Woburn, north of London, the park reported on its website.

It noted that “staff and fire crews attended the scene, however, devastatingly for everyone at the park, none of the 13 animals could be saved.”

The other animals in the jungle drive-through area were being monitored, although early indications showed they were not affected.

The cause of the fire was being investigated. (dpa/NAN)</s>Officials say the cause of the Woburn Safari Park fire is being investigated. (Credit AP)

LONDON (AP) — Officials say 13 monkeys have died in a fire at a safari park in England, marking the second major fire at an animal attraction in the last two weeks.

The fire started early Tuesday morning in the Patas monkey house at Woburn Safari Park, located 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of London. The enclosure is part of the African Forest drive-through section of the popular attraction.

The park said in a statement that nothing could be done to prevent the death of the 13 Patas monkeys. "Staff and fire crews attended the scene; however, devastatingly for everyone at the park, none of the 13 animals could be saved," the park said.

Firefighters found the Patas monkey house ablaze with the roof caved in when they arrived. Officials said 90 percent of the building was damaged.

It took about two hours to control the fire.

Fire station commander Paul Goddard said it is likely the monkeys died before firefighters arrived on the scene.

"Our first instinct would be to rescue the animals if we could, but to do that we need to get the fire under control," he said.

Early indications are that other animals were not injured. The safari park houses a variety of animals including elephants, lions and zebras.

The fire follows a Dec. 23 blaze at London Zoo that killed an aardvark and four meerkats. The cause of that fire, which badly damaged a cafe, has not been established.

The London zoo Tuesday postponed its annual animal census, which is required by law in order for the zoo to maintain its operating license, because of the fire.

Officials say the cause of the Woburn Safari Park fire is being investigated. The park will remain open except for the African jungle enclosure section.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>Officials say 13 monkeys have died in a fire at a safari park in 



The fire started today in the monkey house at Woburn Safari Park, located 80 kilometers north of 



A said staff and fire crews rushed to the scene but the 13 monkeys could not be saved.Early indications are that other animals were not injured. The safari park houses a wide variety of animals including elephants, lions and zebras.Officials say the cause of the fire is being investigated.The fire follows a December 23 blaze at Zoo that killed an aardvark and four meerkats.</s>Thirteen monkeys have died in a fire at a safari park.

The blaze broke out in the Jungle Enclosure at Woburn Safari Park, Beds., in the early hours of this morning (tue), causing the roof to collapse.

Staff and fire crews battled to save the Patas monkeys, but none of the thirteen animals could be saved.

They were being kept inside for the winter months, but normally live outside in the park’s 18-acre African Jungle enclosure.

In a statement, a spokesman for Woburn Safari Park said: “All other animals within the jungle drive-through enclosure are being monitored, but early signs suggest that they have not been affected.

“An investigation is now under way into the cause of the fire and the jungle enclosure will remain closed for investigation.

“The rest of the park will remain open.”

Describing the Patas monkeys, a page on the park’s website reads: “Our troop of Patas monkeys can be seen on the road safari in the African Jungle.

“Here they roam in their 16 acre exhibit with our troop of Barbary macaques and herd of Eastern Mountain Bongo.

“They are housed at night time in the winter but in the warm summer months they have 24/7 access to their large exhibit.”

Fire crews were called to the site at around 2.37am this morning but described the building as being 90 per cent damaged by fire.

A spokesman from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue said: “Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended a fire at a monkey enclosure at Woburn Safari Park at 2.37am this morning.

“When firefighters from Woburn and Dunstable Community Fire Stations arrived along with the water carrier from Toddington they found the outbuilding housing Patas monkeys was well alight and its roof had fallen in.

“They fought the fire using fire hoses while wearing breathing apparatus to protect themselves from the smoke and fumes.

“The building was 90 per cent damaged by the fire.”

Patas monkeys originate from Africa, where they live in open grassland, wooded savannahs and dry woodland.

They grow up to 85cm in length and their tails grow to 75cm.

Males can weigh up to 12 kg and females 6.5 kg and they have a lifespan of up to 20 years.

In Africa, Patas monkeys are hunted for meat and are persecuted as a crop pest.
A fire at Woburn Safari Park kills 13 patas monkeys.