Costa Rica, which passed a law requiring the closure of state zoos 11 years ago, closed its last two state zoos this weekend. Nearly 300 animals were taken to a nature center by police, veterinarians and officials from the Ministry of the Environment.
A jaguar, crocodiles, spider monkeys, a sloth and many other species were placed one by one in transport cages by those in charge of the former Simón Bolívar Zoo in the capital San José and taken by police to the wildlife rehabilitation center on the outskirts of the city. the city.
“We are becoming a country without public zoos, with a vision focused on protected areas and rescue centers,” the Central American country’s Environment Minister Franz Tattenbach told reporters at the resettlement event.
Private zoos are not covered by the law
Eleven years ago, Costa Rica passed a law to protect flora and fauna, requiring state zoos to close. However, the law will not affect private zoos, of which there are at least 18 in the country.
In fact, the Simón Bolívar Zoo and another zoo near the capital should have been closed the following year, after the law was passed in 2013. Although the zoos were owned by the state, they were operated by a foundation that took legal action against the closure provided for in the law.
Postponed by a decade
That’s why the closure of the two zoos was postponed by a decade and the facilities only finally closed their doors on Friday.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
