- Govt set to relocate zoo
The dreams of Alhaji Audu Bako, former military governor of Kano State, while commissioning the Kano Zoo in 1972, has still not materialized as 48 years after, the lack of animals and unfriendly environment, among others, have turned the recreational centre into a shadow of its past.
Kano Zoo, believed to be one of the most populous zoological gardens in not only Nigeria but the entire Africa, is among the first sets of zoos to be established in Nigeria, and rightly accredited as a member of the World Zoos Association.
During the commissioning of the zoo on November 14, 1972, late Audu Bako stated the mission behind establishing the recreational park as well plans to make it standard enough to compete with any in the world.
He said in his speech then, “I’m happy this morning to stand before you on the occasion of the opening of this zoo. It is gratifying to note the development that has taken place since the time that the foundation was started on the 14th of July, 1971. At that time, both my friends and detractors have questioned my wisdom of having such a garden in Kano.
“But my main objectives in establishing such a recreational facility are firstly, to bring to our people different specimen of wildlife with particular emphasis on animals which are not now available in this country, but which have been exterminated by hunters as from 99AD. But in the year 1972, we are trying to regenerate these animals that were long lost for our present and future generations to see,” the late military governor said.
Since that time, the lofty dreams of the late governor had gone through many transformations, positively and negatively, by successive governments.
Zoo Road, in Kano metropolis, got its name courtesy of the tourist park. Thousands of people from within and outside the state engage in several businesses on Zoo Road.
However, the zoo itself still gets its fair share of visitors, especially on weekends and during festive periods.
In addition to visiting the zoo to see the animals, there are other things that bring people to the place like the events centres for wedding dinners and other gatherings, children’s recreational park, and a serene environment for students to read and for other people who engage in activities that do not require noisy environments, like film shooting and so on.
During a visit to the zoo by our correspondent, it was observed that the zoo now has fewer animals. Animals like lion, chimpanzee and elephant are just one each. Other animals are mostly in twos or threes, except for monkeys, antelopes and ostriches.
Also, it was observed that there are lots of empty cages with the surroundings overgrown with grasses, despite being a place for people to relax.
A staff, who took our correspondent round the zoo, said that the number of animals in the zoo has reduced and there is a need to have more animals so as to attract visitors.
He said the shortage of animals and inadequate care of the facility have forced people to shun the place.
“This place used to generate revenue for the government compared to the present situation. There used to be people from different parts of the country. Like the time when we used to have three elephants, three lions and more. But now, there are changes in the house; the major source of generating revenue are the event centres. You know we have three event centres here and every week people rent them for weddings and other events.
“The place is usually bubbly and busier between Thursday and Sunday. But sometimes, students come around to read and lovers also come to have fun and enjoy the conducive nature of the place,” the staff told our correspondent.
Another staff, who doesn’t want his name mentioned, said there are more than 100 staff working in the zoo and everyone has specific roles and positions.
He said the animals are being cared for by professional veterinary doctors and there are specific clinics for them.
“I have worked here for over 25 years and have seen several transformations and changes in the zoo. The staff work on a shift basis – morning, afternoon and evening. Our welfare here is not that good but we thank Almighty God. We can’t say anything other than this,” he said.
On why the animal cages look bushy and dusty, the staff opined that that’s how wild animals live better. “What differentiates them from being wild animals here? Being in cages is to prevent them from harming people, otherwise that’s how their natural habitat is supposed to be. Go to the bush and see how they live.”
Dusty relaxation spots
Our reporter also observed that most of the places meant for people to sit and relax were dusty with overgrown grasses.
Hajiya Salamatu Ahmad, who was visiting the zoo for the first time, told our correspondent that a lot has to be done to make the place attractive to people.
“I find it a bit boring even though I enjoyed the atmosphere. But honestly, there is need for more animals and the reconstruction of places where people can sit for relaxation.
“There is need for the state governor to have a special adviser on zoo affairs to create awareness on what needs to be done here. If the government can take this place seriously, it will generate more revenue and remain a big tourist site because it’s very big,” she added.
On revenue generation, there are three event centres in the park, children’s recreational centre, scenes for film shootings as well as shops in and outside the park.
The park also provides opportunities for people to do businesses either by renting the shops lined by the fence of the zoo or people going round the zoo to sell their products.
An ice-cream seller, Malam Salisu, said he has spent almost 16 years selling ice cream in the zoo, using his bicycle.
Another man, Ahmad Ismail Baso (Malam Tsalha Dadinkowa), who sells soft drinks in a shop next to the zoo’s main gate, said he makes so much sales during sallah or when some groups have meetings in the park.
“The fact that there is an event centre here affects our business because the celebrants usually bring their foods and drinks during events like wedding dinners. But honestly, these days, we are just managing especially during COVID-19 period when the zoo was closed,” he said.
Ganduje approves N37m to restock animals
In an interview with our correspondent, the Director Zoo Services, Muhammed Danjuma Adamu, said they have recorded a number of successes since its establishment. He said the standard of the zoo at inception made it to be the only registered zoo in Nigeria.
“It is the only zoo in Nigeria recognised as a zoo after accreditation by the Pan-African Association of Zoos which is a subsidiary of the World Association of Zoos. Kano Zoo is the only one accredited and registered by the association. So, you cannot have that registration without having everything in place.”
On the number of animals in the zoo, the director said there are more than 300 animals in various collections of the zoo, adding that the zoo is still very vibrant.
He said recently, the governor approved the sum of N37m for the purchase of more animals, and they engage other zoos in the country for various exchanges to improve species collection in the zoo.
He said plans are underway to transform the zoo to be the best in the West African sub-region.
“The future plan for the zoo is for it to become a bio park. We have a very large place to make the atmosphere conducive for the animals. So, we want to have something that will attract people from even outside the country, especially in the West African sub-region. So that whenever you talk of a zoo in the West African sub-region, you’ll be talking of Kano Zoo,” he added.
He said revenue generation is among their key priorities to make the zoo lively and upgrade its standard, and that zoos are not like game reserves. “Zoos are always in the metropolis and not in the bush. If it’s not here, many people cannot visit.”
Ganduje orders relocation of zoo from Zoo road to Tiga
However, the Kano State government is concluding plans to relocate the zoo from its present location – Zoo Road, to Tiga town in Bebeji Local Government Area of the state.
With rumours of the government’s plan rife, the state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ibrahim Ahmed, confirmed to a radio station in the state that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has ordered the relocation of the zoo.
Speaking on Wednesday, the commissioner said the present location of the zoo inconveniences the animals which, according to him, do not like noise.
“We are working towards relocating the Kano Zoo because the present location of the zoo is surrounded by human population. Most of these animals don’t like noise.
“We will, therefore, relocate the zoo and upgrade it to an international standard,” he said.
A former Attorney General of the state, Abubakar B. Mahmoud (SAN), had joined several residents of the state to earlier appeal to the state government to shelve the idea of the relocation.
“Kano Zoological Gardens: oasis and ecological heaven in middle of sprawling city of Kano..Est in the 70s is said to be under threat; to give way to shopping malls. Can lovers of the environment weigh in on KNSG not to give in to the destruction of this wonderful heritage?”, he posted on his Twitter account, @abmtwitt.
Also reacting, a resident of the area, Ibrahim Mahadi, said they enjoy the place and wouldn’t want it to be relocated, adding that they have never encountered any challenge in the neighbourhood as a result of the zoo being sited there.
