Costa Rica Officials Plan Closure of Country's Two Public Zoos

In an attempt to create a cage free environment, the government of Costa Rica made an announcement Monday stating its plans to close the country's two public zoos and convert them into botanical gardens or urban parks. 

According to Rene Castro, environment and energy minister of Costa Rica, the two public zoos will be closed next year and the practice of displaying caged animals will be stopped due to  'a change of environmental conscience'

The two public zoos to be closed next year include the 97-year-old Simon Bolivar Zoo and the Santa Ana conservation Center.  The officials plan on transforming the Simon Bolivar Zoo into a botanical garden where they will not keep any animals in captivity. On the other hand, the fate of the Santa Ana Conservation Center has not been decided yet but it is believed that it would also be transformed into a botanical garden. Both the zoos are home to a total of 400 animals that have a range of 60 species.

The official plan is being opposed by Fundazoo, the foundation that runs the zoos.

Eduardo Bolanos, spokesman of the foundation said that its contract to run the zoos has been renewed through 2024 and both zoos are in good condition.

"We're worried about where the ministry is thinking of moving the animals since the Simon Bolivar and the Conservation Center are the only ones that have a veterinarian specialized in forest species and an animal nutritionist," Bolanos was quoted in Associated Press.

Ana Lorena Guevara, the deputy environment minister, is coordinating with various animal rescue organizations to relocate the animals. The animals that can manage to survive will return to the wild. Those animals that fail to get shelter will be under the government, which will take charge of them through the National System of Conservation Areas, reports Agencia EFE.