It’s little surprise that social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook have become the online version of Chinese Whispers – it provides the potential for a nugget of information to become exaggerated beyond recognition.
Earlier today, OnTheWight was made aware of reports that the wallabies at Seaview Wildlife Park had been “sprayed with WD40” and “hit with sticks” by someone visiting the park on Monday.
Shocking news and something that would concern many, so we got in touch with the park to find out more.
Rumours debunked
Lorraine Adams, a director at the park, explained to OnTheWight that a report made to them and checked out had been blown out of all proportion.
She started by confirming that no animals had been hurt or sprayed – they carry out health checks twice a day on all the animals and would have noticed something as significant as this.
Lorraine went on the explain that a couple sitting on a bench near the wallaby walkabout area of the park had reported seeing a young land waving a can of WD40 around. Lorraine immediately checked around the park, could not find anyone matching the description. As mentioned above, all animals were checked and there were no signs of any abuse.
Abuse never tolerated
Lorraine was keen to make clear that had anyone been found carrying out any abuse against the animals they would have been asked to leave the park immediately.
