KZG generates GH¢40,418.85 last year

Kumasi, May 8, GNA – The Kumasi Zoological Gardens (KZG) collected a total revenue of GH¢40,418.85 from visits of 129,948 tourists in 2008 as against GH¢34,061.10 from 111,487 visits in 2007.

The increase in both revenue and visits were due to the transfer of animals from the Accra Zoo to Kumasi Zoo and the intensification of educational programmes for schools to sensitise pupils and students on the need to visit the Zoo and learn about wild life conservation and the environment.

Mr. Emmanuel Darkwa Nimo, Manager of the Kumasi Zoological Gardens, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on Friday.

He said the KZG with a total population of 190 animals currently had on display 49 species of animals.

Mr. Nimo said that the Zoo will soon join the Association of Africa Zoos and Acquaria (PAAZAB) with its headquarters in South Africa.

He explained that the measure was to ensure information sharing and capacity building of staff as well as networking of members of the association.

Mr. Nimo said it would help improve the Zoo's animal care practices and expose it to internationally recognised record keeping systems and ensure networking with European and World Association of Zoos and Acquaria.

He said that the Zoo was being supported by the Zoological Society of London to join the Association.

Mr. Nimo said the Zoo had been inspected by a team comprising of the Executive Director of PAAZAB, Mr. Dave Morgan and Mr Nick Lindsay, from the Zoological Society of London.

Mr. Nimo said there was the need for the Zoo to improve animal housing facilities and landscaping and provide children's play ground, car park, restaurant and others.

He said there was poor drainage system at the Zoo, which often resulted in flooding and lack of sponsorship and logistics and appealed to the government, individuals and institutions to help address the problems.

Mr. Nimo called on experts in various fields to volunteer their services to support the Zoo.

GNA