By Salim Yunusa
Starvation has hit Imo State Zoological Garden and Wildlife Park claiming the lives of over 250 animals valued at over N38 million.
The park, located at Nekede Anicent Kingdom in Owerri West Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, houses different species of animals including three lions.
Sources close to the garden disclosed that the surviving animals are near death due to hunger.
It was learnt that it cost more than N1.2 million to feed the about 500 animals in a month with some government subvention which is longer forthcoming. This is now threatening the extinction of the Zoological Garden established in 1976.
The Nation investigation revealed that the garden which was previously generating its own revenue from local and foreign tourists to sustain itself could no longer do so as the road linking the zoo to the Owerri capital city has collapsed, following an ecological disaster.
The only link road, said to have been constructed by the Rochas Okorocha administration, collapsed before the administration of Hope Uzodimma.
A foreign tourist, Michael Benbruse who spoke to The Nation, expressed displeasure over the poor state of the animals in the Zoo.
“I’m a Russian citizen and an international tourist. I visited Imo Zoo today to see for myself how the animals are faring. But I must tell you that I’m emotionally traumatised with what I saw in the zoological garden.
“What I see here is a near-death condition of the lions and other animals which are not catered for,” Benbruse said.
Efforts to reach the General Manager of the Zoological Garden, Francis Abisoye did not yield results.
The Head of Department (HOD), Forestry, Ozo Chino, refused to comment on the issue.
“I am just the HOD, not the permanent secretary or the commissioner,” Abisoye said.
Culled from The Nation
