Urban explorers find live sharks and spiders still inside empty Bear Grylls Adventure
Urban explorers say they found live sharks and exotic spiders after roaming ‘every inch’ of the closed-down Bear Grylls Adventure.
The photographers discovered creatures including giant cockroaches and marine life still in situ at the mothballed Birmingham NEC venue.
Inspired by the TV presenter and explorer, the £20 million activity centre had offered a 65ft-tall high rope course and a ‘shark dive’ in a huge tank.
The venue closed down six weeks ago citing ‘commercial challenges’ and the lasting financial impact of the covid pandemic.
Merlin Entertainments, which runs the site, told Metro that the animals are being given ‘world class’ care as the theme park giant prepares to move them to new homes.
The creatures pictured include a large spider resembling a tarantula, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, a snake and exotic sea life in an aquarium which once hosted diving experiences for groups of visitors.
The explorers were also able to roam areas containing scuba gear and the main ‘basecamp’, where a large Army jeep forms part of the scenery.
The group, including prominent urban explorer Tokyo Matilda, shared the images of the site on social media after their visit on January 14.
In a post, they said: ‘This remarkable location has been one we could only dream of. Never did we expect to find it in such conditions it was.
‘Sharks and other marine fish still inside the tank (we found paperwork to say that someone is coming in each day to check on these and eventually they will be sent to other sealife sanctuaries) with the place getting stripped we thought no time like the present.
‘4 hours we spent in here taking on the assault course, seeing all of the spiders and exotic frogs and fish while exploring every inch that this place had to offer.
‘This isn’t even all of my photos there was that many.’
Grylls, who presents a new Netflix show entitled ‘Celebrity Bear Hunt’, said the site was ‘the UK’s ultimate adventure destination’ when he marked its opening in September 2018.
Merlin, which runs the site along with other attractions including Alton Towners and the SEA LIFE centres, announced in October last year that the venue was closing.
A note on the Adventure’s website cited ‘commercial challenges’ and said a ‘contributing factor’ had been the pandemic forcing a temporary closure.
At the time, Merlin said that its priority was ‘looking after our team members and animals throughout this transition’ at the site, where the doors shut on December 11.
Responding to the urban explorers’ visit, a spokesperson said: ‘We’re currently investigating an isolated incident which recently occurred at the former Bear Grylls Adventure attraction.
‘We can confirm that the animals, and their life support systems, were not affected during this incident which surfaced on social media.
‘We are fully cooperating with the West Midlands Police following the illegal trespass of these individuals.
‘Our dedicated teams of experienced animal care specialists continue, every day, to provide world-class animal care as we prepare to transfer them to suitable new homes following the recent closure of the Bear Grylls Adventure, including to our nearby aquarium the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham and other UK SEA LIFE sites.
‘Our team of welfare specialists at SEA LIFE will be overseeing the relocation of all animals in the very near future.’
Merlin maintains that the building continues to be an operational facility with members of the animal care team on-site daily, ensuring the wellbeing of the animals.
The company has reported an incident of ‘illegal trespassing’ to West Midlands Police
The Merlin Entertainments Group holds a High Court injunction in order to deter unauthorised access at any of its attractions worldwide.
Metro has approached Grylls for comment.
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