Some Buffalo City residents held a picket protest outside East London Zoo on Saturday calling for the “rescue” of the animals.
Dozens of people carried placards and posters saying that they were speaking for the voiceless.
Other posters called for the zoo to be closed while another poster read “no excuse for animal cruelty”.
One of the organisors of the event, veterinary science student Gabriella Naidoo, said in an earlier interview that they wanted to create awareness and show concern for the animals.
The action came after pictures of some of the animals, especially the bears, went viral on social media.
Charges laid against the zoo by the SPCA were also recently withdrawn.
An online petition reportedly garnered more than 13 000 signatures, calling for among other things, the closure of the East London zoo and for the animals to be moved to a safe haven.
Naidoo said that she wanted the public to be involved and have their say since the zoo belonged to the community.
Buffalo City Municipality spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya, said this week that they were overwhelmed by the support that they were receiving in the community.
He said corporates, individuals and even people from abroad have come forward to be part of the process.
"The zoo is operating so we want to ensure that our zoo is the best in the country" he added.
