Top > World > 2006 > November > 2006-11-28

Conservation Groups Outraged at Ethiopian Zoo

Animal conservation groups have expressed deep outrage and shock following reports that a prominent Ethiopian zoo is killing rare lion cubs and selling their bodies to taxidermists. The zoo says that it had to take these steps to cover its overhead costs as it does not obtain any government support. The Lion Zoo is a popular tourist destination and has a pride of 16 adult lions and five lion cubs at present.

Reports show that at least six lion cubs have been poisoned in the last two years, however experts say that this practice has been going on for much longer. Taxidermists pay the zoo about $170 per cub and this sum goes towards running the zoo that costs about $6000 a month to maintain. Zoo officials claim that they are only able to cover $5000 of those overhead costs from revenue in entrance fees. The other $1000 a month needs to come from other sources.

Lions are Ethiopian? national symbol and have long fascinated the country?s rulers. Ethiopia?s Lion Zoo was established in 1948 and its lions are kept behind barbed wires in rundown buildings. Nevertheless, it is relatively well visited by locals and tourists alike. Animal conservation groups such the Born Free Foundation and the International Fund for Animal Welfare have demanded that Ethiopian officials look into the matter and take the necessary action to prevent further poisonings.