By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa
Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks (NAZAP) has alleged that negligence of Kaduna state government led to the death of a distressed lion in the state owned zoo.
This was contained in a latest press statement on the death of the lion signed by the association’s national President Mr Francis Abioye and issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
NAN recalled that NAZAP in collaboration with had in November, rescued a lion trapped by flood in Kaduna zoo and facilitated rehabilitation of the affected animals through fumigation of all animal enclosures and donation of food for distressed animals.
But Abioye in the release, claimed that the lion later died out of negligence by Kaduna state government, which he said was a negative signal.
The release read in part, the Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks have expressed worry over the cold attitude of Kaduna state government over the misfortune of a lion in the state owned zoo.
“The professional organisation of Zoos and Wildlife had earlier intervened in the Kaduna zoo crisis by way of aiding fumigation of all animal enclosures and providing food for all distressed animals in the Zoo”.
“The circumstances that surrounded the death of the lion despite rescue intervention of NAZAP and the National Park Service showed that the government failed to provide necessary support for the distressed animals during the crisis”.
“NAZAP in collaboration with National Park Service and the CITES management unit of the Federal Ministry of Environment shall no longer allow any zoo/park irrespective of ownership status that violates basic guidelines and standard rules of species conservation operate freely in the country”
Meanwhile, he said that NAZAP will continue to give update on Kaduna zoo crisis to the members of the public.
“National Vice President of NAZAP, Mr Isah Jibril, Director of Wildlife Bauchi and immediate past Manager of Sumu Park/Yankari and Social Secretary, Mrs Mary Ohaegbu, Manager of Jos Zoo and Museum have been delegated to engage relevant government authorities in Kaduna state for a way forward”.
While condemned the situation surrounding the lion’s death, Abioye pleaded with all stakeholders to be patient as the national professional body of zoos in Nigeria will end all forms of cruel treatment of animals in Nigerian Zoos.
Abioye stated that no nation in the world is perfect but he however lamented the weak conservation system in Nigeria and the neglect of the Zoos and wildlife sectors.
He urged the Federal Government to emulate most countries of the World who are supporting their zoos and wildlife sectors especially during the pandemic period and the post Covid-19 lockdown.
He stated that the UK Government released a grant of £300million to support their Zoos, adding that Zoos
are the most visited tourist destinations all over the world where millions of young people learn about conservation of nature.
He said “unlike most sectors during the Covid 19 lockdown, zoos simply shut down operations and could either lay off staff or reduce their wage bills.
“Zoos were the worst hit by the pandemic effects as all zoos continued to care for their animals and staff at an unusually high cost due to increased cost of transportation of zoo workers and animal food”, he said.
Abioye said most of the oo facilities are financially distressed till today and may not return to normal without the needed support from the Federal Government and Central Bank of Nigeria adding that the case of Kaduna zoo is one that exposed our weak conservation system.
He commended the continuous support of the Conservator General of National Park Service Dr Ibrahim Goni for always giving urgent attention to any distress call whenever intervention is needed.
The Director General of Kaduna Promotion Investment Agency Mrs Aboki when contacted declined to react on the issue.
