Zoo boosts security after 'sickening' killing of wallabies

A children's petting zoo has called in private security guards after the slaughter of three wallabies.

Last month Bruce, one of the park's two Parma wallabies, was found beheaded in his pen at Brent Lodge Animal Centre in Hanwell. The perimeter fence had apparently been cut.

The small zoo brought in three replacements as company for Bruce's traumatised companion Rolph.
Less than 48 hours later, two of those were also found dead. One had its throat cut, apparently with a knife, while all that remained of the other was limbs scattered across the park.

Police "strongly believe" foxes are to blame but the park is taking no chances until the culprit - human or animal - has been caught.
Two private security guards patrol the park's riverside grounds at night and CCTV is being installed. Meanwhile Rolph, his sole remaining companion Rocky and many of the park's other animals are being kept in brick-built sheds overnight.
Bassam Mahfouz, Ealing council's cabinet member for environment, said: "When the first incident happened two weeks ago we were sickened. How could anyone do something like that to a harmless animal?
"We brought in the vets to check if it was an animal attack and they said it was more likely to be a human attack.
"I used to go there as a child, and I take my little boy there. It's absolutely sickening. The park is a real jewel and we want to keep it that way."
Park manager Jim Gregory said: "When I first came here over two years ago, the animals were spending 16 hours a day locked in the sheds. We worked so hard to change that but now we're back to square one."
Carolyn Brown, a zoology graduate and chairwoman of Hanwell residents' association said: "Everybody wants this person caught."