Municipality works to maintain Mitchell Park Zoo
The eThekwini Municipality’s head of communications Lindiwe Khuzwayo says that a revised maintenance and management plan for the zoo is now in place with schedules of work to be performed every month.
MITCHELL Park Zoo has long been a topic of debate in the Durban community. In recent years, residents have taken to social media, raising alarm bells over the litter and lack of maintenance. However, the eThekwini Municipality’s head of communications Lindiwe Khuzwayo says that there have been upgrades and ongoing work to improve the standards of the zoo.
“There are currently upgrades in progress to the enclosures and facilities. We hope to have every enclosure and public area in the zoo overhauled over the next five years, or sooner should budgets allow,” said Khuzwayo.
The municipality spokesperson says that a revised maintenance and management plan for the zoo is now in place with schedules of work to be performed every month. “Enclosures are being painted, new landscaping is being done, some new species have been added and public areas are receiving attention, as well,” she said.
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Khuzwayo says that this is not a full-scale renovation, but rather, visible signs that the municipality’s regular maintenance plans are starting to show signs of success. “Due to the age of the zoo, existing infrastructure constraints and historical importance, renovations are always ongoing. We are also guided by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife regulations regarding the keeping of animals in captivity and are committed to adhering to these regulations in all areas. The way animals are kept changes constantly, and we are bringing the zoo in line with the changing regulations,” said Khuzwayo.
She says that work at the zoo has been ongoing for three years and will continue for another five years in line with the municipality’s current plans, however, this could be accelerated should additional funding become available.
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“There is a maintenance schedule in place for the zoo, covering daily, weekly, monthly and annual work to be done. The zoo is fully compliant and permitted with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, and they, too, conduct regular inspections of the zoo, as well as receive feedback. If anybody would like to contribute to the redevelopment of the zoo, they can make donations to the Mitchell Park Trust,” she concluded.
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