Rabat zoo faces scrutiny after video shows injured, isolated animals

A video published by Spanish content creator and activist Mario Xtrauss documenting distressed animals and poor facility maintenance at the Rabat National Zoological Park sparked widespread debate across social media in Morocco. 

The viral YouTube video showcases what Xtrauss alleges are serious animal welfare issues, signs of neglect, and a significant gap between the zoo’s conservation claims and the conditions observed within the facility. 

During his walk-through of the facility, the Spanish activist recorded multiple instances of animals living in harsh environments with little to no behavioral enrichment. 

Among the most concerning footage was an elephant suffering from visible foot injuries and bleeding. “He is bleeding from the bottom of his foot, man. This animal is facing an infection, this is tragic,” Xtrauss said. “If this animal were in a Spanish zoo, there would be protests outside the door every single day.” 

The video also shows a solitary chimpanzee sitting motionless inside an enclosure surrounded by electrified fencing. “This is the only thing this chimpanzee can do in this facility. Watch time go by with nothing else to do,” Xtrauss said. 

Elsewhere in the park, Xtrauss documented what he described as a hippopotamus in dirty water containing bread and decomposing materials, as well as a spoonbill interacting with a piece of plastic waste. He also pointed to a giraffe kept in complete isolation, claiming it had “nothing and no one to interact with” and had been “left alone for its entire life.” 

Xtrauss also criticized the reptile exhibits, arguing that snakes were kept in exposed glass enclosures without natural hiding places.  

According to him, the lack of shelter leaves the animals under constant stress from visitors, noise, and movement. “Snakes require hiding places to feel safe, but they are completely exposed and stressed here, where every sound and step is felt,” he said. 

Beyond the individual enclosures, Xtrauss questioned the zoo’s public messaging on biodiversity conservation and species preservation in North Africa.  

“What we were promised is a facility capable of shaping the future of native wildlife in this nation, with conservation programs for spoonbills, gazelles, and wild cattle,” he said in the video. “What I saw today left me deeply disappointed, lack of maintenance, sad animals, and sick animals left in cages.” 

He also contrasted the zoo’s largely positive online reviews with the conditions he documented during his visit, questioning whether facilities of this kind genuinely contribute to wildlife conservation or function primarily as tourist attractions. 

The video has sparked widespread reactions on Moroccan social media, where many users expressed concern over the animals’ welfare and called for immediate inspections, independent veterinary assessments, and greater accountability from the zoo’s management. 

As of Monday, the administration of the Rabat National Zoological Park has not issued an official statement responding to the allegations and observations presented in the video.