The closure has since extended to today, 12 June.

The council emphasized that the safety of both visitors and animals “remains our top priority” and expressed hopes to “reopen as soon as possible.”

A green sign with white lettering, taped to a grey door, notifies the public of the closure. Brown tape holds the notice in place.

The council also apologised to anyone affected by the closure, particularly those with pre-booked tickets, and advised them to contact the zoo for refunds.

Initially, the zoo cited an “urgent maintenance issue” as the reason for the closure, as reported by Belfast Live. It was later confirmed that E.coli had been detected in the water sample.

Belfast City Council has said further updates on reopening will be shared via the zoo’s website and social media channels.

E.coli (Escherichia coli) refers to a group of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. While many strains are harmless, some can cause serious injuries