Neglect stalks animals as ‘politics’ rattles zoo
Merger with City Parks brings disarray to a much-loved institution
IT was once the home of the world-famous Max the gorilla. And, for thousands of children, the only place they would ever come within arm’s reach of the animal kingdom’s most majestic beasts.
But these days, the Johannesburg Zoo is a shadow of its former self. It has been stripped of its status as one of the top four zoos in Africa, and caught up in the sad and unnecessary deaths of eight prized antelope.
There are increasing calls for the zoo’s board to be hauled before an inquiry.
A damning dossier, alleging gross negligence and mismanagement, is expected to be handed over to the board this week.
The zoo’s credibility took a knock after its accreditation with the Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria was suspended following the controversial importation of eight Sitatunga antelope from Prague Zoo in Czech Republic. The animals had to be euthanased.
The 109-year-old Johannes- burg Zoo was one of only four in Africa to be accredited with the association.
Nonhlanhla Sifumba, DA shadow minister of community development, said she was appalled by the Sitatungas’ deaths.
“Someone must be held accountable for why the zoo has lost its world-class accreditation,” she said.
The Sitatunga — a marshdwelling antelope found in central Africa — were destined for a private breeder, with the zoo offering to quarantine them. But the herd arrived at OR Tambo International Airport without the required paperwork.
NSPCA investigator Wendy Willson said there was a risk when allowing species into South Africa that posed a threat of disease, which was why the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries refused them entry.
“Since Germany would not allow the animals to return, the only remaining option was to euthanase them,” Willson said.
“They remained in their small transport crates, which ren- dered the animals unable to turn around.”
She said the animals were held at Lufthansa cargo at the airport for more than two days while their fate was being decided. “When the crates were finally opened, the water bowls within some of the crates had been incorrectly placed, which meant that the animals had been without water for the duration of
Close monitoring can be viewed as interference by specialised staff
their travel and holding time. All the animals were in various stages of dehydration and four had already collapsed.”
Willson described the horrific suffering the antelope endured: facial injuries, haemorrhaging, leg abrasions and hoof bruising as a result of trying to reach their water bowls.
The controversial shipment is also under investigation by a private auditing firm.
Former staff and animal rights activists warn that this was the tipping point in the rapid deterioration of the zoo — a former section 21 company — which merged with City Parks last year.
Other allegations of mismanagement include:
The rigorous tender process for food and medical supplies drastically slows down the proper running of the zoo;
The demotion of curators who are essential to the running of any zoo;
Conservation projects, research and staff training suffering due to the restructuring;
Operational standards have dropped drastically; and
The death of a lion cub and near starvation of a lynx cat.
A former employee said: “We worked so hard to get that accreditation. And all this politics is getting in the way of running the zoo.”
Ainsley Hay, manager of the wildlife protection unit of the NSPCA, said: ‘‘ We are concerned about all the standards and quality of all zoos in South Africa.”
There are eight zoos in South Africa. The Johannesburg Zoo houses 1 822 animals on 54ha in Saxonwold.
But Chris Vondo, a member of the mayoral committee for community development, said the core operation of the zoo remained unchanged and that only support services had been centralised.
He said noncompliance with procurement had been raised by the auditor-general.
‘‘It is important that there are processes in place to deal with critical requirements to meet the needs without compromising the integrity of the procurement process.”
Asked about the suspension of the accreditation, he said it had only a minor effect.
Vondo said the zoo had re- cently acquired a leopard, two Siberian tigers, a Fennec fox, a cheetah and giraffe, despite the suspension.
‘‘The zoo has benefited drastically from the merger … close monitoring can be viewed as interference by specialised staff, who were largely left to make decisions and such without the necessary authority,” he said.
‘‘Zoos globally are sometimes viewed as inhumane centres . . . the Johannesburg Zoo remains mindful of these sentiments and ensures that the animals in our care are afforded the best expert care as part of our critical conservation mandate.” Comment on this: write to tellus@sundaytimes.co.za or SMS us at 33971 www.timeslive.co.za