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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Iuliia Vlasova

Edinburgh Zoo hits back as visitor makes complaint about penguins during trip

Edinburgh Zoo bosses have replied an unhappy visitor's TripAdvisor review claiming they struggled to see one of the most popular attractions.

A local zoo guest with the online handle dizzytraveller2018 left an outraged review after visiting the park in July of this year, claiming that they - a family of seven adults and four children - were left feeling "totally ripped off".

The unfavourable one-star review on the major travel platform reads: "For us, the worst experience was the penguin enclosure. The viewing galleries were so filthy we couldn't see a thing! Come on, Edinburgh Zoo, get your act together and explain to the public exactly where our hard-earned entrance fees are going because it certainly doesn't look like the animals are seeing any of it."

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The reviewer was also unhappy that some of the attractions in the park - namely the face painting stall - also come at an additional cost.

Not wishing to leave the disgraceful claims unnoticed, the Edinburgh Zoo hit back at the upset visitor with an extensive comment of their own, explaining that for them, the welfare of their animal residents is an all-time top priority.

The Edinburgh Zoo management team said: "Penguins Rock, which is Europe's largest outdoor penguin pool, is cleaned throughout the year by an expert dive team who are due back in very soon now breeding season has finished for the year.

"The recent warmer weather combining with moulting feathers has increased algae growth in the pool, but we can assure you the water is perfect for the penguins! There are lots of different viewing points, including open air viewing where you can see the colony above water."

The team also urged anyone wishing to visit to book tickets online - for a reduced price - and outlined that the mentioned face painting stall along with many local food carts are some of many local businesses the zoo welcomes in to help support the local community.

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