Zoo Laments Encroachment By Communities

The management of Ogba Zoo and Park, Benin, Edo State has decried encroachment on the facility by neighbouring communities.

Technical Director of the Zoo,  Mr Tony Oregbeme, said on Monday in Benin that the encroachment was threatening the animals.

Oregbeme said that a road construction company had channelled water into the zoo which led to the destruction of some animals’ cages, the zoo’s fence and death of some of the animals.

“We suffered a major devastation from a construction company working for the state government eight months ago. “The company released flood waters into our facility which caused a lot of damage in the zoo and the debris the flood brought into the zoo has not been cleared. “We are appealing to the state government to address the issue of the devastation so that the debris will be removed,” he said.

Oregbeme stated that some neighbouring communities had encroached into the Zoo’s land and erected buildings, and called on the state government to address the issue.

He also called on individuals and companies to undertake projects in the Zoo as it was being done in other parts of the world.

“Zoos are run by charitable organisations and grants from overseas, people also donate projects to Zoos. “We are embarking on a museum education centre and an animal museum, but funding is a big challenge,” he added.

The Ogba Zoo and Park is located in a 25-hectare expanse of land located in an urban setting in Benin. It is also located in a forest reserve with diverse varieties of plants and animals including a white-giant-throated monkey that is not endemic to this part of the world.