Joburg Zoo Johannesburg zoo news

kiang

kiang

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15+ year member
The zoo is currently caring for around 1000 Madagascan reptiles and amphibians after a seizure at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport.
The geckos, frogs, chameleons, skinks, lizards and toads, many of them endangered species, had been tied up in small muslin bags or crammed into overcrowded plastic tubs for about five days.
The animals were left unattended in the cargo area when flights to the U.S. were cancelled after their destination airports were hit by storms.

Hundreds of smuggled reptiles destined for exotic pet trade in U.S. die after being crammed into plastic tubs for five days | Mail Online
 
Hopefully most of the still living ones can be kept alive and good homes can be found for them !
 
the photos on the article are sickening. They should be shown to anybody who keeps reptiles who tries to argue that smuggling protected animals out of a country is in the best interests of the species and the hobby.
 
Chlidonias said:
the photos on the article are sickening. They should be shown to anybody who keeps reptiles who tries to argue that smuggling protected animals out of a country is in the best interests of the species and the hobby.
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The first photo is particularly harrowing, it's like a museum display but none of the animals are taxidermy specimens but recently dead animals. The other photo's are bad but nothing in comparison to that one!
 
the third photo also because you can see how the animals have just been jam-packed into the containers.

Reading the comments on articles like this is always amusing to me as well, like this nonsensical justification from one guy (in response to "STOP BUYING EXOTIC ANIMALS. They are ripped from their jungle homes, put in cramped crates, where many perish, then sold in pet stores to people who don't know how to care for them")
The problem here is Bela you're completely wrong, It is a known FACT reptiles & most exotic animals live longer in Captivity. They're not "Ripped from their jungle homes". Reptiles & Tarantulas are removed from the wild and then captive bred. Snakes & Tarantulas and many other animals similar to those do not like open-spaces so living in the wild is more stressful than living in captivity where their enclosures are usually the perfect size. The reason they live longer in Captivity is not only because of their fear open-spaces but forest destruction, wild animals & poachers are killing them off. Animals kept in Captivity live much longer for these reasons. Also Captive breeding usually keeps bloodlines pure, where as in the wild snakes have been known to Hybridize. So, next time before you post a comment make sure you actually know what you're talking about.
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Article on the loss of Africa's last Polar Bear.

Photo and Story here: Africa's Last Polar Bear Is Dead - Forbes

A 28 year-old polar bear named Wang, generally believed to be Africa’s last polar bear, is dead.

Wang, who lived at the Johannesburg Zoo, died on Wednesday after a 4-year battle with chronic arthritis and liver failure, a health situation that prompted Zoo officials to put him down.

“The Chief Veterinarian, Dr Brett Gardener had to make a very tough decision at 11.49 today. Africa’s last polar bear Wang had to be put down due to liver failure and chronic arthritis,” a statement issued by the Johannesburg Zoo read.

Wang was diagnosed with liver ailments and various medical conditions in November 2010 and had been on medication ever since. His death comes 7 months after the passing away of GeeBee, his longtime polar bear partner at the zoo, who died in January of a heart attack. GeeBee and Wang had lived together since 1986, when Wang arrived at the Johannesburg Zoo as a 6 month old cub, as part of a conservation exchange program with a zoo in Japan. The two enjoyed a 28-year old friendship, an extraordinary relationship considering that polar bears are notably reclusive creatures. Wang had been mourning the loss of his partner, and his keeper, Agnes Maluleke, often tried to cheer him up with special treats, including throwing him his own Valentine’s Day celebration in February.

The Johannesburg Zoo has said it will not replace the polar bears.
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Johannesburg Zoo has been reinstated into PAAZAB this month.

Jozi Zoo back in the African fold after antelope deaths | The Star

Joburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) has been reinstated as a member of the Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB).

This follows its suspension in 2014 following the death of eight antelope. The zoo was accused of not following the correct paperwork.

The PAAZAB membership will also allow Johannesburg Zoo to continue being an international member of good standing with the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria (WAZA).

City of Joburg member of the mayoral committee for community development Nonhlanhla Sifumba congratulated the zoo for its reinstatement. At the time, the zoo defended itself, stating it was launching an independent investigation.

The reinstatement of the zoo’s PAAZAB membership reaffirms JCPZ’s commitment to regulate and improve its professional standards, and its commitment to the code of ethics, she said.

This includes:
Trade and movement of animals and plants that conform to international conventions and best practices and abide by national and local regulations.
Animal husbandry, to ensure the highest standard of veterinary care and housing for all animals in the care of JCPZ.
Breeding programmes and processes aligned to the international conventions.
Visitors’ safety.
Enforcement of the code.

“Furthermore, the re- instatement will enable Johannesburg Zoo to conclude long-standing agreements to acquire new animals and big exhibits from other zoos that are members of WAZA, and to grow its offering to the people of Joburg,” Sifumba said.
 
What measures have they taken since this import disaster clearly mishandled on all sides by JCPZ and what accredition criteria have they now complied with to be re-instated within the PAAZAB membership?
 
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