BloemfonteinCourant visited the Bloemfontein Zoo after allegations on social media that the zoo animals are without water and food as a result of the municipal workers’ strike.
There is some good news to report.
The hippo’s enclosure was in the process of being cleaned and rhinos were eating hay.
There was a notice on the side of the rhinos’ enclosure that they do have water in their sleeping quarters.
According to a zoo employee, water is no longer kept in the trough next to the railing to protect the endangered animals from being poisoned.
Other employees were sweeping the dam where the hippos are kept. The dam has dried up and was full of algae. Only the baby hippo was visible. The mother hippo was taken to the Johannesburg Zoo some time ago. The zoo staff is taking care of the baby. According to the source, the workers will sweep the dam and thereafter refill it.
There has been a big outcry on social media with photos being shared with regard to animals at the zoo not being cared for.
BloemfonteinCourant was yesterday reassured by the NSPCA’s Jaco Pieterse, an inspector from the Bloemfontein SPCA, who visited the zoo and confirmed that the animals are provided for. The organisation will, however, continue inspections throughout the municipal strike.
Nomaqhawe Mtebele- Courant News
