Zoo snub for Easter bunny cancer teen

A TEENAGE cancer sufferer and her friends were told they could not enter Edinburgh Zoo dressed as Easter bunnies because it might cause psychological damage to the animals.

Laura Gibson, 15, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in March.

She, her brother and three friends decided to go to the zoo in costume on Saturday as a special treat, but were told they must take them off before entering. They decided to go bowling in costume instead.

Zoo PR manager Rachel Goddard said: "Laura and her friends weren't denied access, simply asked to remove their costumes before going in.

"There is very real evidence that humans in costume cause distress to some of the zoo animals. This is particularly the case with chimpanzees, who get very anxious and disturbed.

"When we have our own costumed characters on site, we ensure they're away from the animal enclosures."