Visitors to a Surrey safari park have been asked not to wear animal print clothes after concern emerged that fake leopard print and tiger stripes might be confusing or even frightening the animals.

Zookeepers at Chessington World of Adventures noticed a change in behaviour of animals after the launch of a new attraction which allows visitors to be driven off-road through a 22-acre Serengeti-style reserve, where animals roam free.

Spokeswoman Natalie Dilloway said: "Animals are getting confused when they see what looks like zebras and giraffes driving across the terrain in a 7.5 tonne truck."

Keepers reported that some animals had tried to communicate with visitors, while others had run away, fearing they were predators.

The banned clothes include anything that resembles the skin of giraffes, leopards, cheetahs or tigers.

The attraction, near Epsom, has even brought in staff to regulate visitors' clothes and is issuing grey boiler suits to anyone they think may be mistaken for an animal.

Becky Elkin said: "With the gorillas, people often come to see them in fancy dress, which is now 100% banned. Giraffes have also been putting their heads right into the trucks, and one named Kismet has really taken to the sight of different animal prints."

Animal behaviour consultant Dr Candy D'Sa said colours and patterns can provoke strong reactions in animals.

"Certain colourations give warning signals to other animals. For instance the yellow and black stripe of a bee is there as a warning and leopard print or tiger print will trigger some sort of instinct as well.

"Movement is also a key trigger. Big cats will start getting interested if someone limps past their enclosure because they look weak.

"Possibly the worst thing you could do is limp past the lion or tiger enclosure in a zebra print outfit."