NAN-ELS-8
Zoos
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) Dr Olajumoke Morenikeji of the Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, has decried the poor state of zoos across the country and called on government to do the needful.
Morenikeji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the current state of many zoos in the country was appalling.
“Most of the zoos are old and in a terrible state; they are not maintained; they are not properly taken care of; most of them are neglected and it is a pity.
“I think the reason for that is because the government is not truly involved and they are not committed to seeing that the zoos are well run.
“ If you go outside the country, you will find that people visit zoos a lot; it is a place they can have firsthand experience with wild animals.
“The zoos have lot tourism potentials for Nigeria, but unless and until it is develop to attract tourists and visitors, the potentials will not be realized,’’ she said.
Morenikeji, who is also the National President of Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens (NAZG), said the association has been sensitising government and individuals on the benefits of visiting zoos.
According to her, NAZG usually organises conferences and seminars and often distributes flyers to sensitise the public on the need to visits zoos and the benefits to the economy.
She maintained that NAZG was liaising with government to acquaint it with the benefit of zoos and to also make them take care of zoos in the country.
“When the zoos are put in a better shape, it will be of great benefit to the public, especially our children; they can be educated by just visiting zoos.
“The zoos have a lot of benefits that can accrue to the economy and individuals that visit them.
“ The animals also benefit because of conservation works that go on in the zoos to make sure that they are well taken care of and do not go into extinction.
“Zoos have plenty of tourism potentials that the government can tap into and make money for the overall development of the country,’’ Morenikeji stressed.
The purpose of setting up a zoo, she said, was for conservation, research, education, entertainment and for profit, adding that they were the most visited places globally.
She said explained that while some of the zoos in the country were being run by certain institutions like universities, government and few private owners.
“ In this sector, what we see is a situation where government does not even realise the inherent revenue generation and economic potentials imbued in the sector.
“ Sometime ago, I gathered that the previous site of the Enugu zoo, which was demolished by the Enugu State Government, is now being sold to rich people to build houses.
“The nation is blessed with vast animal and plant resources; government has tried by gazetting and setting aside some portions of the landscape to protect and preserve this biodiversity.
“ It is sad that these government protected areas are still being encroached upon and their resources are fast declining.
“ Nevertheless, there is need to involve all stakeholders, including civil society groups in conservation and zoos,’’ Morenikeji said. (NAN)
CMY/AOS/OJO
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(Edited by Bayo Sekoni and Mufutau Ojo)