Consultations on future of Limassol zoo underway

Public consultation to determine the future of the Limassol zoo is currently underway, following a study commissioned by the town municipality to the Cyprus Centre for Environmental Research and Education, an NGO founded by the Holy Bishopric of Limassol.

At the same time, the Animal Party, the Green Party, the EnErgo movement, as well various other NGOs and activists continue to demand the permanent closure of the zoo.

The issue was discussed at a meeting that took place on Wednesday between environmental parties and movements and Limassol mayor Nicos Nicolaides.

The most recent incident involving an animal at the zoo was the death of a deer whose antlers were trapped in the fence surrounding its living space.

People taking part in the meeting expressed their longstanding position that the zoo must be closed immediately.

The mayor responded that the issue surrounding the zoo is a matter of great concern to the municipality and announced that its future will be determined by public consultation. He did not rule out a permanent closure.

“It is time to re-examine the future of the Limassol zoo,” Nicolaides told journalists after the meeting.

“The facility was last renewed over ten years ago. It needs renovating and its premises must align with correct animal welfare practices and legislation around Europe.”

Nicolaides, however, conceded that a zoo also represents an important educational tool for students in Cyprus.

“Our goal is to come to a permanent solution within the next two to three months,” he said, adding that all possible options will be put on the table.

“What NGOs and parties want is for the municipality to have a responsible, serious, objective, and well-documented dialogue with the citizens of Limassol, in order to take appropriate decisions about the zoo’s future. All possibilities and scenarios are open for collective decision-making.”

Additionally, he said that there is no possibility of relocating it, while, in terms of visitors, he mentioned that the zoo has over 1,000 visitors on weekends.