In a statement issued by the Barranquilla Zoo, the entity announces a definitive closure of its facilities in the event of not obtaining resources for its maintenance.
In the document, it states that despite the fact that its doors have been closed since March 17, due to the health emergency, the more than 800 animals that inhabit this enclosure have received the necessary care – quality food and professional veterinary care. .
However, the resources to continue operating would only last until the end of August. From then on, say spokespersons for the Barranquilla Zoological and Botanical Foundation, “they will not be able to continue guaranteeing the welfare of the animals and they will have the need to dispense with those who care for them, cure them and, finally, those who feed them.”
The Zoological Foundation also recalled that within all this situation the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development issued on April 9, 2020 a circular in which it assigns the environmental authorities the responsibility of contributing to the maintenance of wildlife, during the end of the health emergency.
According to the directives of the Zoo, it is still pending to receive the support of the Mayor’s Office of Barranquilla and the Government of the Atlantic, so the entity makes a call for the resources required by animals such as the elephant, the needle caiman (elected mayor for the kids at the 2019 Zoo Elections), the Spectacled Bear and many others.
“We must turn this crisis into an opportunity to become aware of the importance of knowing biodiversity and acting accordingly, modifying our behavior towards one that is more harmonious with animals, plants and the environment in general.
In this sense, we hope that the public sector recognizes the leading role that the Barranquilla Zoo has in environmental education and in the conservation of the nature of our “Biodiverciudad”.
Survival emergency
The health emergency has caused an animal survival emergency in all zoos and aquariums in the country, ”said Farah Ajami Peralta, executive director of the Botanical and Zoological Foundation of Barranquilla, who also chairs the Colombian Association of Zoological Parks, Aquariums and Related – Acopazoa–.
Expenses have been reduced to a minimum of $ 200 million per month and with the reopening they would rise to $ 350 million. Given the reduced capacity, if by that date it does not have more resources, it will have to remain closed to the public indefinitely.
The statement affirms that the Barranquilla Zoo is already preparing to guarantee a biosecure operation and “hopes that the Government will respond to this cry, in order to open its doors again to nature lovers, so that they can meet again with this icon of the city and build new memories ”.
The entity carries out a campaign to collect funds through the Vaki platform and Wompi payment link, there they receive donations through the savings account 769-541239-91 of Bancolombia. In addition, donations in kind are coordinated by email [email protected].
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