BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Between noisy parties and dirt-bike traffic, animals at the Franklin Park Zoo have been left in distress; and it is affecting their mating.
Franklin Park, a 527-acre area, surrounds the zoo and connects Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roslindale. Residents have complained about loud parties and ATV traffic.
City Councilor and mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi George stated that dirt bikes and ATVs are a "genuine public safety concern that need to be addressed"
John Linehan, the president and CEO of Zoo New England said, "Our primary concern is going to be the short-term affects as it's impacting our neighbors, our staff, and our animals."
The recent commotion in the neighborhood comes as COVID-19 restrictions ease and like the residents, the animals are not so pleased either. Biology Professor Richard Primack, from Boston University, said the animals "can't communicate with the loud noise" and are more tired and irritable so "they're less interested in mating."
Animals that use mating calls rely on their ears to hear potential lovers and to avoid predators. Since these animals are in cages, they are unable to leave the loud noise; which is what animals do in the wild.
Virtual community meetings have been held to discuss the concerns and find a solution.
WBZ NewsRadio's Chris Fama (@CFamaWBZ) reports:
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(Photo: Getty Images)