Goats now dominant animals in National Children’s Park and Zoo
When former President Olusegun Obasanjo commissioned the National Children’s Park and Zoo, Abuja, in 2001, he wrote on the plaque: “May this park be to the benefit of the children of the nation.”
Sixteen years on that vision is unrealisable.
The park is a natural splendour and sits at the foot of Aso Hills. The lake around the park soothes the environment with a cool breeze endearing it to the heart of many fun lovers.
Unlike other parks within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it is sandwiched between military barracks providing security covers and making it the first to be considered for picnic, social gathering and other outdoor events.
With the football pitch, table tennis board, basketball and other games, fun lovers were assured of a defining moment at the park. The park was set up to drive tourism in the territory and generate revenue for the government.
However, the shacks for the Zebra and several other exotic animals are now empty. The zoo is more populated by goats, which are common domestic animals found in towns and villages across Nigeria. The number of animals in the park have greatly reduced due to what sources refer to as poor upkeep while the few animals that remain do not excite fun lovers.
Boats which used to sail on the lake have stopped. Even recreational facilities are in a state of disrepair. The first aid room has been converted to another purpose.
Some of the animals in the park look underfed and sickly. When Aso Chronicle was at the park on Saturday a horse was seen bleeding.
Most of the animals live in an untidy environment with the enclosures littered with empty plastics while the excreta from the animal oozed a stench that makes fun lovers to keep their a distance.
The park now lives on donation from organisations and revenue gotten from the sale of tickets which had to be increased from N100 to N400 for adults.
“This place used to be beautiful,” said Abubakar Nuhu, who brought his wife and baby to the park expecting a lush green lawn, several animals, tidy environment and good recreational facilities as it were the last time he visited few years back.
“Everywhere just dilapidated. The animals are not well kept especially the camel and crocodile,” Abubakar said, as he managed an apologetic look at his wife who almost immediately said the visit would be her last to the park.
The crested porcupine, goats, crocodiles, winged goose, ostriches and African buffalo in the zoo could not fascinate Abubakar’s wife as the family is sat down and admired the beautiful landscape.
“They have nothing to show for increasing the gate fee from N100 to N400. I am here because of a programme and I just sit, eat then go home,” a fun lover who identified himself as Chuks said.
Chuks said the park was just ‘wasting away.’
Another fun lover, Barr. Nneoma Agu, a frequent visitor to the park, said though the environment was not pleasant four years ago when she visited, she was surprised at how the park has deteriorated.
“I was satisfied with the environment, services and the money then but now, saddening,”she said. Continued on next page