Filenews 6 September 2022
The Closure of all zoos operating in Cyprus – whether private or governmental – is called for by the Movement of Ecologists Citizens' Cooperation, stressing that complaints from citizens regarding the operation of zoos in our country are almost daily.
The latest complaints that reached the Movement concern the condition of the animals in the well-known settlement in the area of the community of Agioi Trimithias.
In all complaints, reference is made to melancholy and miserable animals living in inappropriate infrastructure and conditions. "It is to be expected that in animals living in captivity when there is no proper infrastructure to meet their specific biological needs, then their physical behaviours are significantly limited and may be driven into depression," the statement said.
The communication also states that the European Union has issued a relevant directive concerning the operation of zoos (Council Directive 1999/22/EC), wanting to preserve biodiversity provided that there will be appropriate infrastructure (housing and trained staff) where animals will prosper, be protected and receive the best care. The EU also allows zoos to be preserved for the purpose of observing the links between species, research and educating the public. The directive also requires animals to live in a safe environment similar to their natural environment, in which they can develop all their natural behaviours.
Anthi Mouzouri, Coordinator of the Animal Action Group of the Ecologists' Movement, said that "taking into account the conditions prevailing in Cyprus where there is limited experience and knowledge in the management of wildlife animals, the inability of the veterinary services to control the implementation of the European directive and the intense weather conditions, we conclude that the only solution is the complete abolition of zoos. Besides, the long-standing position of the Green Movement is that animals should live freely in nature and should not be captured for any reason. We call once again for the closure of zoos and the safeguarding of the rights of life", he concludes.
