Ragunan animals die from malnutrition

Ragunan animals die from malnutrition

From Neraca

I recently heard that a number of animals at the Ragunan zoo in South Jakarta fell ill and died. One of them was a cute hippopotamus.

The story of this animal from the Nile in Egypt was similar to that of other animals which died in the same zoo, among them three white tiger cubs, seven tapirs, six birds of paradise, three tigers, one camel, five bulls, three orangutans and ten proboscis monkeys.

It was said those rare species died because of food shortages and lack of medical care. Theirs was a pathetic life.

During the economic crisis food prices have increased tremendously. But the Jakarta administration's annual subsidy for food and medicine is still sizable, at Rp 1.8 billion. If it proves insufficient, another way must be found. A detailed report should be submitted to the administration to clarify the matter.

Moreover, I suggest that if the subsidy is inadequate, concrete steps should be taken to save the rare animals by transferring them to other zoos with sufficient funds. It would be better than letting the animals die.

If all the zoos in Indonesia have the same problem, the animals can be donated to zoos abroad. Exchange programs among zoos have been practiced before.

I have heard that the animals which died were those not in cages. Most of the animals living in cages apparently do get their rations.

I am very concerned.

SOERJA

Jakarta