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
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.
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")
Article on the loss of Africa's last Polar Bear. Photo and Story here: Africa's Last Polar Bear Is Dead - Forbes
Johannesburg Zoo loses accreditation from WAZA : Johannesburg Zoo loses accreditation from WAZA | NewsPoint Africa
Zoo closed for a short time due to strike : http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2016/03/04/Worker-strike-closes-Johannesburg-Zoo
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?
Endangered Reed Frogs bred at Joburg Zoo have been released into the wild near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Endangered frog species bred in Joburg Zoo back in the wild | The Star
Obtaining 2 new elephants for their single one left : Joburg Zoo gets 2 friends for lonely Lammie the elephant
White-handed gibbon born at Johannesburg : New lar gibbon baby born at the Joburg Zoo | Rosebank Killarney Gazette
Over the past five months, Johannesburg Zoo have welcomed the births of Mandrill, Nyala and African Buffalo: Log into Facebook | Facebook