SHOCKING videos have emerged on social media showing men abusing and scaring zoo animals.

The two videos circulating on social media show the men throwing a bottle of water at a giraffe's face, and encouraging a tiger to approach the fence before kicking out at it and frightening it away.

It comes after police were called to Marwell Zoo following reports that a group had broken in causing damage and were "throwing things" at the animals.

Officers were called at 11.40pm on Monday after a member of the public saw footage of people breaking into the site on social media.

Entry had been forced to the site, and multiple buildings within the grounds, causing significant damage.

Multiple police units were deployed to the incident, including police armed response (ARV) officers, a dog unit and a helicopter.

The videos have been met with outcry online, with some social media users branding the group as "disgusting", "yobs", and "vile".

A Marwell Zoo spokesperson, said: “We are aware of the appalling videos being circulated online showing our endangered animals in distress and we continue to assist the police with their investigation. 

"Our animals are all safe and those affected are being carefully monitored and cared for by our expert animal teams.”

A 20-year-old man and a 22-year-old man, both from Fareham, and a 22-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman, both from Gosport have all been released from police custody and the investigation is on going.