From Live Animals To Statues: The Decline Of Nigeria’s Zoos

Once vibrant attractions where families gathered to marvel at wildlife, many of Nigeria’s zoos have fallen into neglect, with dwindling animal populations, crumbling facilities and, in some cases, statues replacing the live animals visitors pay to see. From Port Harcourt to Calabar and Yola, the decline of these zoological gardens reflects years of poor maintenance, inadequate funding and dwindling public patronage. A LEADERSHIP Sunday investigation examines how the country’s once-promising wildlife attractions lost their glory, the challenges threatening those still operational and the prospects for their revival. Bukola Ogunsina, Richard Ndoma, Anayo Onukwugha, Jibril Mohammed Nabil an...