Edinburgh Zoo Worker Loses Discrimination Case Over Monkey Identification

EDINBURGH, Scotland — A Scottish woman with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has lost her employment tribunal case against Edinburgh Zoo after resigning when she was unable to distinguish between different monkey species. Lisa O'Hara, 36, worked in sections housing squirrel and capuchin monkeys but failed to pass her trial period despite receiving training, resigning in February 2025. O'Hara told the Edinburgh Employment Tribunal that managers subjected her to demeaning treatment and placed her under excessive surveillance. She said a colleague advised her to conceal her ADHD and claimed she was left isolated and humiliated. Zoo director Calum Gibson said identifying animals correctly was a fundamental part of the job. The tribunal dismissed all eight complaints related to unfair dismissal and disability discrimination, rejecting O'Hara's claim for compensation. The ruling marks the conclusion of the case, with no further details immediately available.