The Bloemfontein SPCA has opened a case of animal cruelty against Bloemfontein Zoo after inspectors visited the zoo and found the animals are not being fed.
One of the inspectors, Tebogo Maswanganye, said they received an anonymous tip-off that the animals were in poor conditions and their team went to investigate.
‘There was no food in most of the herbivore enclosures,’ said Tebogo. ‘Many of the animals had already died too.’ The inspectors took pictures of some of the animal carcasses that were just left in the enclosures:
The zoo has been closed to the public from December 2019 due to ‘permit issues’, but it is still operational and staff are still employed, according to Maswanganye.
When asked if this mistreatment might be a matter of financial lack, Maswanganye said he feels it is rather a matter of negligence and cruelty.
This is not the first time the zoo is criticised for its alleged mistreatment of animals. Last year, thousands of Bloemfontein residents signed a petition to close down the Bloemfontein Zoo permanently.
The petition has gained over 4000 signatures, according to Bloemfontein Courant.
The SPCA relies on the community for funds to provide their vital service. To donate or find out how you can support in other ways, visit their site here.
Images: Bloemfontein SPCA
Getaway tried to reach the Bloemfontein Zoo for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
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