Strike threat to creature comfort

Some animals at Bristol Zoo Gardens have been affected by the postal strike throughout Britain.

A spokesman said creatures in the Reptile House formerly received a weekly parcel of 3,000 live crickets for their dinner.

"But last week they went without their valuable delivery and may go without again next week if the Royal Mail strike continues," he said.

"Our chameleons and lizards love to eat live crickets, so we order thousands."

He added: "Despite going without their favourite food, the animals have not been going hungry. Instead of crickets, the reptiles and amphibians have been fed fruit flies.

"Staff at the reptile house have also been breeding their own crickets to feed the animals as well as making emergency arrangements for other suppliers to courier over live crickets."