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Pathetic plight of many zoos
View(s):With reports from the Bronx Zoo in New York, America, that a tiger had been infected with COVID-19 through its handler, many people’s focus turned towards the plight of zoos in this crisis.
The closed Dehiwela zoo. Pic by Priyantha Wickramaarachchi
What of Sri Lanka’s famous Dehiwela Zoological Gardens, the Sunday Times asked international zoo expert Vasantha Nugegoda.
He says that most zoos run by governments like in Sri Lanka are less affected as there would be no job losses or interruptions in the food supply to the animals as the governments fund them.
Looking at the region, Mr. Nugegoda explains that the Singapore Night Safari and Bird Park was closed to the public only on April 7, while the animal parks which have been shut for the longest period are Chimelong Safari Parks in Guangzhou, China, where he is a consultant.
Chimelong has been in lockdown for 45 days but no one has been made redundant or faced salary-cuts. However, the Singapore zoo has parted company with its part-timers, with only essential staff such as animal keepers, veterinarians and security personnel being retained, he says.
Vasantha Nugegoda
The worst affected are private zoos especially in Europe. The lack of an income from visitors has resulted in higher job losses or pay-cuts, it is learnt.
With regard to the feeding of animals, Mr. Nugegoda says that for big zoos there has been minimal impact as they get their supplies from contractors who guarantee food in difficult times too.
Small and medium sized private zoos especially in Europe are having many challenges as they usually purchase their food requirements for the animals from supermarkets on a daily basis. These days they have to compete with panic-buying, limited stocks and rising prices. Tragically, if state or federal governments or big companies do not fund these zoos which are hit by a lack of income, they may be forced to euthanize the animals or feed some animals to other animals such as deer to carnivores, he points out.
The only way forward that Mr. Nugegoda sees is for government support or private and public donations until visitors are allowed back into these zoos.