An urban explorer has called The Bear Grylls Adventure ‘despicable’ after they visited the closed-down site. Tokyo Matilda said that she found a number of animals at the attraction, including sharks, fish and tarantulas.
Notes showed that someone was visiting the animals each day, but one said that ten fish had died between visits, she claims. It comes after the attraction based at the NEC in Birmingham closed in December last year.
A spokesperson for Merlin Entertainments said that the animals have not been affected by the attraction closing and that they are working with West Midlands Police regarding the ‘trespassing.’
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Tokyo Matilda, who travelled to the attraction on January 14, told BirminghamLive that she was shocked to see animals at the site. She said: “It’s unacceptable and the world needs to see that they’ve lied and left them open for the public.
“It’s all wide open to the public. We could have been anyone. I asked them about the animals left and they just keep saying they have no comments, it’s despicable.”
The Bear Grylls Adventure
(Image: Tokyo Matilda)
She added: “Important to mention as well there was a sheet of paper mentioning deaths in front of the tanks and there were 10 fish deaths in one day.”
A spokesperson for Merlin Entertainments said: “We’re currently investigating an isolated incident which recently occurred at the former Bear Grylls Adventure attraction. We can confirm that the animals, and their life support systems, were not affected during this incident which surfaced on social media.
“We are fully cooperating with the West Midlands Police following these individuals’ illegal trespassing. Our dedicated teams of experienced animal care specialists continue every day, to provide world-class animal care as we prepare to transfer them to suitable new homes following the recent closure of the Bear Grylls Adventure, including to our nearby aquarium, the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham and other UK SEA LIFE sites.
Live animals were found at the site
(Image: Tokyo Matilda)
“Our team of welfare specialists at SEA LIFE will be overseeing the relocation of all animals in the very near future.” Images taken by Tokyo Matilda were shared on her partner’s Facebook page, Abandoned Places Hidden Spaces Facebook.
The couple wrote alongside the pictures: “This remarkable location has been one we could only dream of. Never did we expect to find it in such conditions as it was.
“Sharks and other marine fish still inside the tank. We found paperwork to say that someone is coming in each day to check on these, and eventually, they will be sent to other sealife sanctuaries. With the place getting stripped, we thought there was no time like the present.
“Four hours we spent in here taking on the assault course, seeing all of the spiders and exotic frogs and fish while exploring every inch that this place had to offer. This isn’t even all of my photos. There were that many.”
Fish were reportedly found at the site
(Image: Tokyo Matilda)
One person commented: “The irony of the don’t give up signs.” Another said: “Took the kids here the weekend it opened, expensive but a brilliant day, the indoor skydiving was fab … such a shame it’s closed.”
A third added: “Great day out, however, it was overpriced for what it was. If the prices were more reasonable, I think it may have stayed open.”
You can follow Tokyo Matilda on Facebook and YouTube to view her urban exploring.