Dear Editor,
Some months ago I wrote a letter (published in another newspaper) of criticism and concern regarding the way in which some of the animals at Hope Zoo were apparently being kept and treated. I had special concern for the iguanas' diet —- which seems not to have changed up to now from callaloo and tomato — and the lack of water etc, in some of the snake enclosures.
I am still concerned with the green iguana's diet. They require a very varied mix of vegetables, including alfalfa (rabbit chow), raw mustard greens and raw gratered squash (pumpkin). I am hoping that the callaloo and tomato are not their daily fare.
The most dramatic addition of a lion, Lucas, is of especially great interest to all of us. It is good that we now have a lion and his enclosure appears nicely set up — although smaller than desirable for such an animal. I imagine and hope that the persons in charge of him are knowledgeable and caring, being well versed in all the enrichment details that zoo-kept animals such as this will need for their comfort and health, both mental and physical.
I am glad, however, that at least Lucas is not in a "jail cell" type enclosure, as some big cats are often so cruelly kept.
I have visited the Hope Zoo twice in recent times, and am strongly recommending a visit to anyone who wishes to relax, to enjoy, to educate and to learn. The Hope Zoo grounds have been and are still being beautifully upgraded, and the animals' enclosures, for the most part, are well thought out and set up for the animals' various needs.
Much excellent work has been done and is still in progress to make this a zoo we can be proud of, at last.
I hope that a lot of prospective visitors will not be denied a chance to see the zoo because of the increased entrance fee, and also that some of the vendors who used to sell in the parking lot at the entrance will be reinstated for their own benefit and that of the visitors.
Congratulations to the Curator Mr Orlando Robinson,and his team of employees at the Hope Zoo.
Sincerely,
SADAN TAYAD
Kingston 10
A zoo we can be proud of... almost
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Some months ago I wrote a letter (published in another newspaper) of criticism and concern regarding the way in which some of the animals at Hope Zoo were apparently being kept and treated. I had special concern for the iguanas' diet —- which seems not to have changed up to now from callaloo and tomato — and the lack of water etc, in some of the snake enclosures.
I am still concerned with the green iguana's diet. They require a very varied mix of vegetables, including alfalfa (rabbit chow), raw mustard greens and raw gratered squash (pumpkin). I am hoping that the callaloo and tomato are not their daily fare.
The most dramatic addition of a lion, Lucas, is of especially great interest to all of us. It is good that we now have a lion and his enclosure appears nicely set up — although smaller than desirable for such an animal. I imagine and hope that the persons in charge of him are knowledgeable and caring, being well versed in all the enrichment details that zoo-kept animals such as this will need for their comfort and health, both mental and physical.
I am glad, however, that at least Lucas is not in a "jail cell" type enclosure, as some big cats are often so cruelly kept.
I have visited the Hope Zoo twice in recent times, and am strongly recommending a visit to anyone who wishes to relax, to enjoy, to educate and to learn. The Hope Zoo grounds have been and are still being beautifully upgraded, and the animals' enclosures, for the most part, are well thought out and set up for the animals' various needs.
Much excellent work has been done and is still in progress to make this a zoo we can be proud of, at last.
I hope that a lot of prospective visitors will not be denied a chance to see the zoo because of the increased entrance fee, and also that some of the vendors who used to sell in the parking lot at the entrance will be reinstated for their own benefit and that of the visitors.
Congratulations to the Curator Mr Orlando Robinson,and his team of employees at the Hope Zoo.
Sincerely,
SADAN TAYAD
Kingston 10
A zoo we can be proud of... almost
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