‘Govt plans to change Pta zoo into research facility’ – minister
"There is less appetite for seeing animals in captivity."
The government revealed this week that it was considering turning the Pretoria zoo into a research and science facility.
“Zoos have a historical role of education and entertainment; however, behind the scenes, they are [already] working on what they will look like 20 years from now,” said forestry and fisheries and environmental affairs Barbara Creecy.
Creecy made the remarks on Thursday during a visit to the zoo,
She was accompanied by the SA National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi) board and zoo management.
Creecy said the department was considering repositioning zoos from their natural business practice into research facilities.
“Across the world, there is a movement away from zoos,” she said.
Recently the zoo changed its focus to research and scientific services such as genetics, DNA profiling, veterinary services and the biobank to contribute to biodiversity, species conservation, health, address the wildlife economy and combat wildlife crime.
“There is less appetite for seeing animals in captivity and a greater appetite to see them roam at national parks,” she said, adding that as a result, the department questioned the future of zoos.
“There will be an edutainment component to the repositioning of zoos, as they play a role for children who do not have an opportunity to visit national parks.”
She said the research was needed to support the environment and animal welfare.
“We are battling to conserve animals due to climate change biodiversity loss, wild-life crime and climate change.”
She said a whole range of species in their natural habitat was under threat because of disease, crime and climate change.
Creecy said the department was looking at scientific and conservation interventions that could be implemented to mitigate these threats.
She said the department was studying the changing disease patterns for animals in captivity and the wild.
“We’re trying to get away from the freak show concept of a zoo, to a facility that’s helping us with our broader battle for conservation and biodiversity protection,” said Creecy.
During her visit, she had the opportunity to see the facilities at the zoo.
These included the state-of-the-art equipment used for the development of marker-based systems to advance genomic research at the Centre for Conservation Science.
WATCH:
Sanbi board chairperson professor Edward Nesamvuni welcomed the visit “as it afforded the public, the opportunity to gain greater insight into Sanbi’s cutting-edge foundational research and scientific services”.
He said the zoo was more than edutainment as it contributed to policy, wildlife regulatory services and associated enforcement and compliance.
Sanbi foundational biodiversity science professor Ramagwai Sebola said: “Through research, novel genetic tools are applied for the identification of hybrids in a variety of wildlife species with model thresholds for genetic testing.”
“This is a service rendered to SANParks, provincial conservation authorities/agencies to the wildlife industry to maintain the genetic integrity and inform the genetic status of wildlife populations.”
He said the zoo is leading research programmes from genomes to biomes to unravel their genetic and functional variations within and across wildlife species.
The zoo’s work already looks at conservation science, bioinformatics and training, genetics and student research.
Watch:
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
