State of Mitchell Park causes public outcry
The kids' play area at Mitchell Park remains closed to the public, with the condition of the zoo also raising concern and fears for the animals at the park.
AMID public outcry at the alleged state of neglect at Mitchell Park Zoo following a viral social media post by Ben Trovato, titled Durban’s Mitchell Park – RIP, eThekwini Municipality workers were out in full force on Monday morning doing ground maintenance and cleaning the animal enclosures at the park.
In his post, dated March 20, Trovato said, “I went back this week after many years, expecting a certain amount of deterioration given that the ANC has been grinding Durban into the ground ever since 1994. The state of the place came as a shock. Well, in as much as anybody who lives in this country can ever be shocked about anything anymore.”
He added, “The entrance fee of R16 is certainly not being spent on maintenance. The children’s playground is cordoned off like a crime scene. What looked like an entire school of small children was milling around, inexplicably screaming as if they’d seen something terrible. I felt like joining in.”
Also Read: Municipality works to maintain Mitchell Park Zoo
His fears and sentiments were shared by social media users. On Facebook, Ryan Hardwich, said “The harsh reality is that traditional zoos and clean, family-friendly parks are relics of the past, often dismissed as ‘colonial era’ concepts. Today’s South African generation shows little interest in these spaces, favouring parks where cars can drive in and car bar, loud music plays, drinking and partying take center stage, and littering is common — seen by some as a form of job creation. It’s a stark contrast in perspectives on what constitutes fun.”
When the Berea Mail visited the park in the morning, around 09:00, park staff and municipal workers were on site with leaf blowers and shovels, removing sand and other debris from the pathways of the park.
@caxtonlocalmedia 🚨 Mitchell Park Zoo – In Crisis or Cleaning Up? 🚨 After a viral post by Ben Trovato about the park’s shocking neglect, eThekwini Municipality workers were spotted cleaning up and maintaining the zoo. But is it enough to turn things around? 🤔 Watch as we take you inside the zoo and show you the truth behind the cleaning efforts and the state of the animal enclosures. 🦚🐾 What do YOU think about the state of Mitchell Park Zoo? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 👇 #bereamail #MitchellParkZoo #DurbanNews #ZooCleaning #PublicOutcry #BereaMail #TikTokNews ♬ Doja Beatㅤ – Majorzin dos beats
The animal enclosures were being cleaned and some drained of murky water while peacocks were moving about freely on park grounds. However, some of the shelters were empty and looking derelict due to the reduced number of animals now living at the park. Attempts to contact the Mitchell Park Trustees were not fruitful.
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