The Forestry Ministry has issued a conservation permit to the Surabaya administration and granted it full authority to manage the Surabaya Zoo (KBS)
he Forestry Ministry has issued a conservation permit to the Surabaya administration and granted it full authority to manage the Surabaya Zoo (KBS).
Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan handed down the permit to Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini, known as Risma, who is now fully in charge of the zoo, at a ceremony on Monday.
The minister hoped that the change of management would improve the quality of life for animals at the zoo and help to rebuild its tarnished image.
'We granted the permit after observing the Surabaya administration's commitment and seriousness about managing and improving the zoo's facilities and quality of its animals' lives,' Zulkifli said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.
He said the administration, through the Surabaya Zoo Provincial Enterprise (PDTS), was considered to have good management standards and practices in terms of its ability to handle the zoo's current problems and rebuild its image, in order to benefit visitors and the animals alike.
'The local government even invited conservationists from several other countries to redevelop the Surabaya Zoo,' the minister added.
After receiving the permit, Risma revealed several plans for the zoo's redevelopment, including expanding the animals' areas and improving the water channeling system that will run throughout the zoo.
'The visitor entertainment facilities will be taken care of later. We're going to focus on what's more important first,' she said.
The Surabaya Zoo previously held a conservation permit, but it was revoked in 2010 over internal conflicts within the zoo's management that resulted in the decrease in quality of Southeast Asia's largest zoo. Its poor management and deteriorating facilities have resulted in the deaths of numerous animals, some of which were endangered, including three Komodo dragons in 2014. (dyl/ebf)
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