Kaduna Zoo Bans Journalists From Visiting Facility After Photos Of Starving Animals Went Viral

The Management of Splash Park, the managers of the mini zoo in Kaduna has barred anyone including journalists from gaining access into the zoo where photos of a starving lion which went viral few days ago were taken.

According to Daily Trust, their correspondent was barred from accessing the mini zoo on the excuse that the animals were undertaking routine treatment and that only a letter from the state government will grant journalists access.

The Manager of the Zoo, Innocent Ameh reportedly said the pictures trending online were not from the zoo and that he was under strict instructions by the Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture not to allow anyone gain entry into the zoo.

Ameh said;

“Some wildlife experts came with a letter from Abuja that they saw some pictures and they wanted to see the lion. We showed them to confirm because of their letter and it was even feeding time so we gave the lion goat and they said: ‘heh social media.’ So this issue of social media, it was just like some years ago they said the lion killed someone.

The zoo manager also said that routine treatment which will include vaccinations had commenced on Friday November 13 but could not clearly tell journalists when it will end.

He said, “It is normal for the animals to be isolated during routine treatment because they are being vaccinated, so it will be risky to allow people to have access to them while this is going on.”