Caught in the crisis, hungry Semarang zoo animals need help

By Haryoso

SEMARANG (JP): The approximately 250 animals in Tinjomoyo Zoo are bearing the brunt of the economic crisis. They have been going hungry because the management does not have enough money to feed them properly.

The animals are badly in need of "relief aid". They clearly show signs of undernourishment: pale, weak and thin. Their cages are in appalling condition and the management is just too broke to repair them.

The 62-hectare Tinjomoyo Zoo is greatly inferior to zoos such as Yogyakarta's Gembiraloka and Jakarta's Ragunan, which still enjoy a relatively high rate of visitation. To make matters worse, the roads to Tinjomoyo are badly damaged.

On holidays, many people in Semarang travel to Yogyakarta's Gembiraloka Zoo. They argue that Gembiraloka can be easily reached, is cleaner and offers more attractions. By contrast, Tinjomoyo is located in such an isolated area outside the city, cynics say that few children and adults are aware Semarang has a zoo.

"The city government, which manages the zoo, lacks the initiative to promote it," says Semarang resident Sutoyo Abadi. "If it sets aside some money for promotion, more people will be reminded that Semarang has a zoo."

Sutoyo says he likes going to the zoos in Yogyakarta and Surabaya, which he claims are managed more professionally. "The Semarang zoo management should learn from Yogyakarta and Surabaya."

Sutoyo, who is a member of the provincial legislative council, has proposed the city government transfer the management of Tinjomoyo to the private sector.

"I am sure many businesspeople are interested in my idea," he says.

Tinjomoyo Zoo manager Kartono admitted the cash-strapped local government was too broke to run the zoo properly. "We don't have enough money to feed the animals, care for their health or repair their cages."

Although Tinjomoyo is in deplorable condition, the mayoralty government still dreams of one day turning it into "one of the nation's best zoos", like Gembiraloka and Surabaya zoos.

To survive the crisis, the zoo management has linked up with businesspeople from Australia, Britain, the United States, Canada, Germany, France and Argentina.

One of those people appalled by the zoo's condition is Semarang-based Australian businessman Geoffrey Hardy, who recently visited Tinjomoyo with his family. After the visit, a concerned Hardy promised to lend a hand, offering to send aid to the zoo management once a month.

"The Australian businessman promised to provide assistance for five years and to ask other businesspeople to help improve the zoo," Kartono says.

In a ceremony on Jan. 24 marking the opening of the sponsorship program for Tinjomoyo Zoo, Hardy lamented the zoo's state of neglect. He said the zoo could be improved and become as good as Gembiraloka or Bali's Bird Park.

Hardy has committed to provide Rp 120 million worth of animal feed and cages. He said he was offering the grant out of his concern for the zoo in particular and the environment in general.

For the zoo's baby orangutans, the businessman is funding the construction of cages, complete with cradles and toys.

Kartono says that while zoo management would do well to obtain more assistance from businesspeople around the world, the support of local residents is even more vital.

"More important is the townspeople's support. They should have a sense of belonging. Who else will care more about the zoo," he said.