The Decline Of Nigeria’s Zoos

Once vibrant points of interest the place households gathered to marvel at wildlife, lots of Nigeria’s zoos have fallen into neglect, with dwindling animal populations, crumbling services and, in some circumstances, statues changing the reside animals guests pay to see. From Port Harcourt to Calabar and Yola, the decline of those zoological gardens displays years of poor upkeep, insufficient funding and dwindling public patronage. A LEADERSHIP Sunday investigation examines how the nation’s once-promising wildlife points of interest misplaced their glory, the challenges threatening these nonetheless operational and the prospects for his or her revival. Bukola Ogunsina, Richard Ndoma, Anayo Onukwugha, Jibril Mohammed Nabil and Adebayo Waheed Report

Imagine visiting a zoo anticipating to see reside wild animals, solely to search out reproduction statues locked of their enclosures. Let that sink in.

Nigeria has about 11 formally recognised state-owned zoos and zoological gardens. Several have both been handed over to personal organisations or universities resulting from disrepair and disuse.

Zoos and zoological parks present alternatives for individuals to see wild animals, generally in settings designed to resemble their pure habitats. However, a viral video this yr of a household’s go to to a zoo in Yola, Adamawa State, drew public consideration to the deteriorating state of a few of these services.

The household, reportedly visiting a privately owned zoo, was shocked when, after buying tickets, they have been proven animal statues in enclosures as a substitute of the reside animals they’d anticipated to see.

An identical expertise was reported on the state-owned Port Harcourt Zoo in Rivers State, the place an unidentified man who had hoped to see a lion discovered solely its statue in an enclosure.

LEADERSHIP Sunday investigated the state of some zoos throughout the nation and located a blended image of decay, dwindling animal populations, funding constraints and, in a couple of circumstances, efforts to maintain or revive the services.

Port Harcourt Zoo: A Shadow of Its Former Self

At the Port Harcourt Zoo in Rivers State, owned by the state authorities, LEADERSHIP Sunday discovered a facility that had been moribund. Even although Spiff, the primary navy governor of the previous Rivers State, the zoo underwent renovation works that started through the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike. The present administration has since accomplished the renovation.

Although skeletal companies are nonetheless being supplied to maintain the remaining animals alive, the once-vibrant zoo, which used to generate income for the state, has grow to be a shadow of its former self.

The facility beforehand housed all kinds of animals, together with apes, monkeys, alligators, grasscutters, lions, pigeons, parrots, pangolins, turtles, gorillas and giraffes. However, its animal inhabitants has dwindled significantly.

During its leisure interval, it noticed that vegetation had overrun elements of the ability, with timber encroaching on a number of cages. Only a couple of animals remained, together with monkeys, an enormous tortoise, a medium-sized alligator, a couple of pigeons, a turtle and a peacock.

When contacted, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Freddy Ndigbara, declined to touch upon the zoo’s situation or the federal government’s plans for its revival.

However, a senior authorities official, who spoke on situation of anonymity, instructed our correspondent that customer numbers had declined significantly within the absence of the federal government offering skeletal companies to maintain the remaining animals alive, including that the animals had been skilled to work together with people.

The official additionally mentioned the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara was eager to finish the challenge. He expressed hope that the state authorities would quickly introduce extra animal species and construct a three-star resort to accommodate vacationers.

Calabar Zoo: A Lost Attraction

The Calabar Zoo, as soon as a serious attraction in Cross River State through the Seventies and Eighties, now not exists as a functioning zoological backyard.

Experts have attributed the decline of zoos throughout the nation to excessive working prices, insecurity and altering public attitudes in the direction of wildlife.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Sunday, the Zonal Project Manager for the South-South and South-East on the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), Mr Emmanuel Owan, described the challenges dealing with zoos as “enormous and multifaceted”.

According to him, a zoo is an ex-situ wildlife administration facility that enables individuals who can’t go to the wild to see animals they may in any other case encounter solely of their pure habitats.

He famous that lions, as an illustration, are hardly present in Cross River State, making a zoo an essential place for residents to see such animals.

However, he mentioned the price of preserving wild animals had grow to be prohibitive.

“You need a huge amount of money, a huge amount of funds to be able to keep them. In terms of feeding, in terms of care, not just the animals, but even those who are caring for those animals,” Owan pressured.

He recognized insecurity as one other main issue affecting patronage, noting that leisure journey had grow to be more and more troublesome for a lot of Nigerians.

“People don’t travel a lot for leisure. Moving from one part of the country to another is a challenge, both financially and in terms of security. So naturally, people usually avoid where there is a large gathering,” he mentioned.

Owan added that some animals don’t breed efficiently in captivity, though they’ll reproduce naturally within the wild.

Recalling his childhood visits to the previous Calabar Zoo, he mentioned it as soon as housed quite a lot of wildlife.

“We used to have chimps, gorillas. But today, apart from the fact that the zoo no longer exists, I visited it when we were kids. In the 70s, in the 80s, I saw royal pythons, crocodiles, chimps,” he added.

On the state of zoos nationwide, he lamented that many had closed whereas these nonetheless working have been experiencing declining animal populations.

“It is quite challenging now. If you go across Nigeria, most of the zoos we used to have are closed, and the ones that are even there, the animal population is reducing gradually,” he mentioned.

He linked the decline in patronage to the financial hardship dealing with households, explaining that many individuals would slightly spend their restricted sources on meals than on leisure actions. Others, he mentioned, may merely watch wildlife programmes on tv.

Owan mentioned he was unaware of any concrete plans to maintain zoos amid the prevailing financial and safety challenges.

He added that Cross River State’s prospects for wildlife conservation now depended largely on protected areas resembling Cross River National Park, which nonetheless harbours African elephants and the critically endangered Cross River gorilla. He estimated the gorilla’s world inhabitants at between 250 and 300.

The Chairman of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Dr George Oben-Etchi, acknowledged the absence of a functioning zoo within the state.

“We still have no zoo, apart from the deer ranch,” he admitted, whereas promising to interact the governor on the potential for reviving the ability.

“We already have a location where we can start the zoo. The things we need may have vanished, but of course we can always bring them back. The location of the former zoo is a strategic place,” Oben-Etchi said.

He acknowledged that households had restricted leisure choices and mentioned a zoo would supply a welcome addition. However, he gave no timeline for its revival, regardless of describing the challenge as a precedence.

A Ghanaian vacationer, Miss Abena Kwame, who visited the positioning, expressed disappointment at its situation.

“My experience at Calabar Zoo is a disappointment. I am shocked that such a beautiful and serene atmosphere that looks like a typical rainforest has suddenly turned into a drinking spot, with very few donkeys seen masticating grasses,” she mentioned.

She urged the Cross River State Government to accomplice with wildlife organisations to revive the zoo, enabling youngsters to see animals resembling chimpanzees, pangolins, monkeys, pythons, crocodiles and gorillas in particular person slightly than solely in books and on tv.

“Notwithstanding the fact that the economy is harsh, reviving the zoo can create another avenue for the government to generate revenue and boost the economic well-being of the state,” she remarked.

Yobe Zoo: From Wildlife Facility To University Farm

Some zoos and zoological parks have been repurposed or handed over to universities.

In Yobe State, as an illustration, the positioning of the previous Yobe State Zoo was handed over to the Faculty of Agriculture at Yobe State University.

Established through the administration of the state’s pioneer governor, the late Bukar Abba Ibrahim, the zoo was allowed to deteriorate. Poor upkeep and declining public consciousness have raised questions on its present standing and revenue-generating potential.

The facility was initially established to supply leisure companies and generate income for the state. However, its deteriorating situation has left some residents unaware of its existence, prompting requires its rehabilitation and productive use.

An official working on the zoo, who spoke on situation of anonymity, mentioned animals,, together with elephants, lions, hyenas, crocodiles and ostriches, had been dropped at the ability throughout Ibrahim’s administration.

He attributed its deterioration to poor upkeep, noting that the constructions that had beforehand housed the animals had grow to be overgrown with grass.

The official mentioned the absence of sustained upkeep had undermined the ability’s usefulness, including {that a} complete rehabilitation plan was wanted.

He disclosed that the positioning had been allotted to Yobe State University’s Faculty of Agriculture, which had proposed utilizing a part of the realm for agricultural actions and growing one other part right into a recreation centre.

According to him, the college farm at present helps sensible coaching in collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), notably in agriculture, poultry farming and livestock manufacturing.

The proposed recreation centre may additionally host social occasions, together with weddings, whereas creating alternatives for companies resembling meals and refreshment shops.

The official mentioned the initiative may generate income, create enterprise alternatives and supply funds for the ability’s upkeep.

However, he mentioned the college administration lacked detailed details about the zoo’s present operations and had not acquired the related contact particulars of these accountable for its administration.

He pressured the necessity for correct planning, clearly outlined administration obligations, and common upkeep to forestall additional deterioration and make sure the web site’s sustainable use.

Meanwhile, some residents of Damaturu mentioned they knew little concerning the zoo or its actions.

Malam Usman Mohammed Nasoro mentioned he had not visited the ability because it was established through the administration of the late Bukar Abba Ibrahim.

“I have never visited the place since its creation during the administration of the late Bukar Abba Ibrahim, and I have never heard people talking about it. I know there used to be animals in the zoo, but I do not know what is happening there now,” he mentioned.

Similarly, Hajiya A’isha Sa’id, who mentioned she had lived in Yobe for 11 years, expressed shock when she learnt concerning the zoo.

“I have been to many places in Yobe, especially Damaturu, but I have never heard of the zoo,” she mentioned.

Their accounts underscore issues concerning the facility’s visibility and public engagement, reinforcing requires the authorities to make clear its present standing and think about methods to revive its leisure and revenue-generating potential.

University Of Ibadan Zoo: A More Promising Picture

Unlike a number of state-owned services, the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden (UI Zoo) stays operational and open to the general public.

During a go to, LEADERSHIP Sunday noticed that the zoo housed mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, together with lions, giraffes, ostriches, crocodiles, inexperienced monkeys and hyenas. It additionally contains a taxidermy museum containing preserved animal specimens.

Speaking with our correspondent, an attendant, Babatunde Olayiwola, mentioned guests incessantly praised the zoo for its quiet campus atmosphere, close-up views of animals, clear grounds and worth as a leisure and academic attraction.

However, he mentioned some critiques highlighted funding constraints, the necessity for a greater diversity of animals and the bodily situation of sure enclosures.

According to him, the zoo’s main challenges included customer satisfaction, infrastructure points, the absence of iconic species, monetary pressures, employee dissatisfaction, and the prices of animal welfare and feeding.

On animal care, Olayiwola mentioned the zoo managed 5 animal sections: carnivores, herbivores, reptiles, giant birds and primates. Each part, he defined, required specialised care, with the zoo relying closely on the college’s veterinary infrastructure for medical help.

The Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan, serves as the first healthcare supplier for the zoo, whereas animals obtain specialised consideration from consultants in small- and large-animal inner drugs, surgical procedure, and pathology.

“The VTH includes dedicated units for Wildlife and Zoological Garden Medicine,” he famous.

On efforts to maintain the ability, Olayiwola mentioned the zoo relied on institutional help, conservation advocacy and public engagement programmes to keep up its operations, enhance customer satisfaction and promote wildlife safety.

He mentioned the Animal Protection Organisation of Nigeria (APCON) actively inspected the grounds, whereas broader nationwide and worldwide help was wanted to improve ageing infrastructure and increase the animal assortment.

He additionally mentioned the zoo managed animal inhabitants well being and species illustration via strategic exchanges with different services, together with the change of particular person primates and herbivores.

According to Olayiwola, the backyard operated structured initiatives resembling “Friends of the Zoo”, animal-adoption schemes that includes show branding, and programmes that inspired non-public people and pupil volunteers to contribute funds or donate animals.

He added that administration was planning to enhance the customer expertise via revised pricing and entry preparations, higher atmosphere and facilities, museum enhancements and modifications to working hours.

The zoo was additionally selling wildlife conservation and training via educational and analysis partnerships, guided excursions, consciousness campaigns and the internet hosting of worldwide conservation occasions, he mentioned.

Abuja Zoo: Funding Challenges Persist

In the Federal Capital Territory, LEADERSHIP Sunday spoke with the Manager of the Children’s Park and Zoo, Abuja, Alhaji Aminu Muhammad, who attributed the deterioration of zoos throughout the states largely to an absence of dedication and funding.

“It’s a lack of passion. All the state-owned zoos are actually going into extinction because the governors of the state-owned zoos are not able to fund them in terms of animal collection and other activities required to run the zoos, which involve animal collection, training qualified staff and others,” he mentioned.

He added that a number of state-owned services have been struggling to stay operational or had ceased to exist, citing Enugu Zoo, Owerri Zoo and Ogba Zoo as examples.

“The Jos Wildlife Park and Zoo, if you look at it, it is only in recent days that they started doing something; it was gone. The Kano zoo is still having problems even as of now,” he identified.

“The problem is the lack of passion of the governors of those states that own the zoos,” he reiterated.

Asked concerning the challenges dealing with the Abuja Zoo, Muhammad recognized insufficient funding as the key constraint.

“There’s no funding to support a lot of projects that we need to do. Abuja zoo is a new zoo,” he mentioned, pointing to the necessity to introduce extra animals and supply extra services.

Meanwhile, data gathered in Adamawa State signifies that the moribund zoo in Yola is being transformed into an amusement park.

In Borno State, the state-owned zoo is present process renovation after animals have been swept away by floods in 2024.

The state-owned Enugu Zoological Garden, positioned within the Government Reserved Area (GRA), was closed a number of years in the past, and its web site has since been redeveloped right into a high-end residential space.