Pretoria Zoo says it’s business as usual
THE NATIONAL Zoological Garden, known as Pretoria Zoo, has assured the public that its facilities are receiving attention.
The assurance followed a social media post showing empty pens, some with dirty water, and worn-out benches, alleging that the animals did not have clean water. Zebras and rhinoceros had been placed in one encampment.
It was also claimed that there were very few animals that could be spotted for viewing and that there was only one elephant and a monkey, with no bears or lions seen.
Others complained that the condition of the zoo had been deteriorating for a few years and that it was, in fact, on its last leg.
However, zoo spokesperson Craig Allenby refuted some of the comments, saying animals were not being neglected and had access to fresh drinking water.
Allenby said some of the drinking areas were even placed inside the animals’ night rooms.
Of the pictures circulating on social media, showing the unkempt places around the zoo, Allenby said it should be noted that the porcupine enclosure in question was once a single enclosure; this was now a double enclosure with a water trough in the adjoining enclosure.
He added that the walkway through the Heart of Africa section had been closed as it needed urgent renovations, which had already begun; a company had been appointed to do the job.
Other watering areas, he said, had been filled by the recent rains in the City and the animals were moved down for the renovations.
On animals sharing the same pen, Allenby said this was nothing new as there was now a practice in zoos worldwide to create multi-species habitats indicative of animals found in the same natural areas.
“We have received substantial infrastructure funding that will allow us to start upgrading a lot of the habitats and visitor areas in question.
“Additionally, the National Zoological Garden has an animal collection plan that addresses the future expansion needs of the various animals, so many of these animals have been placed on hold until enclosures have been completed.”