Thousands Of Animals Face Starvation As Zoos Run Out Of Food And Money During Lockdown

While we think that wildlife is having a great time now that humans are under lockdown, it is not true for all animals. In Indonesia's zoos, thousands of animals - including endangered Sumatran tigers and Bornean orangutans - are facing starvation. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, facilities have collapsed and there is not much food left for these poor animals.

AFP

Some 60 animal parks which are home to about 70,000 creatures across the Southeast Asian archipelago, have been shut to tourists since mid-March. Most reportedly just have enough food till mid May.

¡°Most zoos relied on ticket sales so when they closed everything collapsed. We've had to rely on creativity to survive¡±, Daily Mail quoted, Indonesian Zoo Association spokesman Sulhan Syafi'i as saying.

AFP

He further said, ¡°If a few more months pass and we don't get any aid from the government or other international organisations, then with a heavy heart we'll have to feed herbivores...to the carnivores.¡±

Zoo keepers are collecting grass and plants to boost food stocks for giraffes and other herbivores.

Red-meat portions for tigers and other carnivores are rationed. The staff that is already hit by deduction in wages are helping in whatever way they can.

AFP

Every private zoo is affected, and that is true for every place around the world where a lockdown has been imposed, owing to coronavirus.

Even though the caretakers are doing what they can, the lack of revenue generated by 50 million annual visitors at Indonesia's zoos is being severely felt.

They are worried that if the lockdown continues for another month, they would have to prioritize - decide which animal gets to live and which doesn¡¯t.