I’m not a big fan of Zoos because I find them extremely sad, unless they’re rehabilitation zoos where the animals will eventually be put back into the wild or zoos where the animals are there because they wouldn’t be able to survive on their own. However, the zoo of Jerez is neither of these. As brought to my attention and taken from their website “The uniqueness and importance of the collection lies in the large number of endangered species which houses. In this sense develops a series of playback in coordination with Europe’s major Zoos. These projects, called EEPs, based its actions to achieve viable populations with a view to their future reintroduction into their natural habitats. The Zoo is currently involved in more than twenty-five projects EEPs. We also participated in a large number of projects (Studbooks) ESB.”
In the region of Spain where the crisis is still felt and youth unemployment rate is one of the highest in the EU, you can imagine the conditions of the animals if the people are struggling to live in the city where that zoo is. The area of the zoo is gorgeous because it is also a botanical garden; in a city that lacks parks, the zoo is the most beautiful and greenist area in Jerez. Perhaps to distract you from the conditions of the animals. The spaces provided doesn’t make sense with some being far too small for the animals sizes. For example, they have a bird row with great birds of prey, like different types of eagles and vultures in cages that are no bigger than my bedroom, they have no room to fly and can’t, but this small colorful bird has a huge area. The lions are in a cage no bigger than my living room, but the Iberian lynx has an area ten times that. The hippos have a water section only slightly bigger than their size lengthwise. A lot of monkeys are crammed into areas with hardly any room to jump around, to swing and to play. Above all, the animals that have hair seemed to be losing it in patches, they didn’t look all that healthy. It’s sad, but in a city where a family might only be making 1,000 euro a month, change is a long way from coming.
Hi, Journeyman Joe. You know I love your chronicles. They are very descriptive and entertaining. And I like your pics too.
But this time I must disagree with part of your statements about the zoo in my town. Let me start with the points I agree with you:
Yes, the conditions of the animals and the space they live in are not the best. I visited other zoos more environmentally friendly for the animals. This should be something to improve.
But let me tell you I can’t agree: with your introductory paragraph:
“I’m not a big fan of Zoos because I find them extremely sad, unless they’re rehabilitation zoos where the animals will eventually be put backc into the wild or zoos where the animals are there because they wouldn’t be able to survive on their own. However, the zoo of Jerez is neither of these.”
I bring you here part of the oficial information the zoo provides in its web page:
http://www.zoobotanicojerez.com/index.php?id=549
The part that perhaps can be of your interest is (tradukka translation, sorry, I’m really out of time right now):
“The Jerez Zoo-Botanical currently boasts the largest zoological collection of Andalusia, with more than 1,000 animals of nearly 200 different species of five continents. In it you can see classic animals of the Zoo as lions, giraffes, chimpanzees, hippos, alligators, reptiles, etc.
The uniqueness and importance of the collection lies in the large number of endangered species which houses. In this sense develops a series of playback in coordination with Europe’s major Zoos. These projects, called EEPs, based its actions to achieve viable populations with a view to their future reintroduction into their natural habitats. The Zoo is currently involved in more than twenty-five projects EEPs. We also participated in a large number of projects (Studbooks) ESB.
In addition to these projects, the conservation of our native wildlife still occupies a prominent place and in this sense the Zoo develops a large number of threatened Iberian fauna, especially birds breeding programs.
All of these projects attest to the Jerez Zoobotanical as an institution dedicated to the preservation of threatened fauna, being in the forefront of Spanish Zoos and being at the height of the main European Zoos.”.
Sometimes one should seek more information before giving an opinion that may affect the credibility of public institutions and working people.
I wish you good health and success in the future.
You’re right, next time I was wrong to assume they didn’t have programs to reintroduce the animals into the wild and next time I will do more research before jumping to a conclusion. However, that does not make up for the poor state the animals and their cages are in. Walking through the zoo the animals appear apathetic and stressed.
I agree. They should be treated like they deserve not the way they are now. Thanks for your answer, my friend.
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