The Khoi-San community of the Eastern Cape has handed over a petition to BCM Mayor Xola Pakati calling for the closure of the East London Zoo and the relocation of its animals, in particular, a jaguar which is confined to a 150m square wire cage.
A picket was held at the weekend calling for the immediate relief of all zoo animals.
Khoi-San activist and MPL, Christian Martin said the East London Zoo, run by Buffalo City Metro Municipality, needed a radical re-think about the ongoing suffering of the zoo’s animals.
EC Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism MEC Oscar Mabuyane attended the picket outside the zoo and said his department would be taking responsibility and look at the issue - guided by the laws of the country.
Martin said the zoo does nothing for conservation awareness or education as the jaguar is kept in a tiny enclosure far from its natural habitat.
"As the Khoi-San people, we strongly condemn this practice and echo the call for the immediate relocation of the jaguar and other animals and the immediate closure of this zoo. The Khoi-San further condemns undomesticated, non-human creatures to be displayed for others curiosity and amusement, as it is clear that it is only for monetary gain" he added.
-African News Agency (ANA)
-Pic: Supplied
