The Cyprus Animal Party is pushing for use of innovative technologies to manage the problem of strays in Limassol and has renewed calls for the closure of the zoo, it emerged on Thursday.

According to a party announcement the issue of replacing the Limassol Zoo with an “e-zoo” facility, as well as other matters were discussed with the city’s mayor on Wednesday.

Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis, who was reported as being “fully in favour of the closure” has set up a follow-up meeting with the municipal council in a month’s time, the party said.

Another innovative concept initiated by the party was the drive to install water and dog food dispensers which are combined with plastic recycling.

The Animal party undertook to research the matter thoroughly and provide the municipality with the information.

The unique vending machine is a concept originally developed by a Turkish design company and the animal feeder dispenses food each time a passerby deposits a plastic bottle.

It is powered by solar batteries and pet food costs are offset by the plastic that is recovered.

The Animal party said that if and when the idea was approved, it would undertake the identification of suitable locations city-wide for the dispensers to be placed.

The party expressed its disagreement with the creation of more pet shelters, arguing that this simply encourages the irresponsible behaviour of people “throwing away” animals.

“What is needed to end this lack of [public] conscience is to [enact] the registration and microchipping of all animals and for the education ministry to push [animal care] education through interactive, hands-on experiences and school visits,” the party argued.