THE FATE of Limassol Zoo has been contested for a number of years, but finally some progress seems imminent. Aiming to abide by a relevant EU Directive on animal living conditions at European zoos, the state has announced the intention to commission a study for the feasibility of the creation of a national zoological park in Limassol.
The Ministry of Agriculture announced that an expert would be called in from abroad to deal with the issue of Limassol Zoo and the possibility for the creation of a national zoological park that would provide decent living conditions to the animals, in contrast to present captivity conditions.
“A number of experts have expressed interest in the project and the right candidate will be selected soon,” confirmed Dr Lambros Lambrou, Vet at Limassol Zoo. “The chosen candidate will undertake a study on the placement of the national zoological park, the type of animals that will be hosted there and the costs of creating and maintaining such a park,” Lambrou added.
Limassol Municipality has confirmed that the Council will request a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture to discuss the issue. Limassol Council argues that the local authority cannot take the burden of the cost of maintaining a state-of-the-art zoological park and that the state should provide the funding for this project.
The Council is actually obliged to improve conditions at the Zoo, as provided by a relevant EU Directive. The Municipality is therefore in favour of creating a national zoological park, with a vision of creating a site for protecting wild animals, an educational centre, as well as a tourist attraction.
In the past, Limassol Council identified three locations that could host Limassol Zoo: Merras area in Zakaki, an area in Fassoula village and Polemidia forest, near Spyros Kyprianou athletic centre.
Established 50 years ago, Limassol Zoo is presently confined to an area spanning merely 1.5 hectares of land. It is host to approximately 300 animals. Many of the larger animals ended up at the zoo after featuring in circuses that had visited Limassol throughout the years, or were sent to the zoo by zoos in other countries.
Due to the unsatisfactory conditions at Limassol Zoo some animals have in recent years been sent to establishments in other countries. This was the case with the lions, which used to be hosted in Limassol, but were sent to zoos abroad that could provide better living conditions for the animals.
Limassol Zoo also features a Museum of Natural History and an Educational Centre, where nature and wildlife events are often hosted.
