Romania Environment minister: many zoos could be shut down

Marţi, 11 martie 2008, 20:51 English | Top News

Romania Environment minister Attila Korodi expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the way wild animals are held in captivity in the country and announced that many zoological gardens were on the verge of being closed down. There are some 5,000 mammals, 5,200 birds and 450 reptiles in Romanian zoological gardens and most of them are held in difficult conditions. The death of several animals over the past year raised important inquiries regarding the way they are treated.

Korodi added that while animals are held for recreational and educational purposes, wild animals must have proper, European conditions for a living. In order to avoid closing down all zoos, the government will finance 14 zoos which submitted modernization projects of about 38 million euro.

75% of the sum is financed from the state's budget while the 25% will be covered from local administrations. The money will reach the zoos by 2012. The Minister argued that if one zoo is closed, animals must be moved to another location, more suitable for their needs.