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 Overall
Goal: Reconstruction of the Monrovia Children's Zoo
Now as Liberia is recovering and rebuilding, it is time for
the Children's Zoo to be re-established. As an animal orphanage can only
be established gradually, we will start with a first phase with a
children's Pet Zoo hosting domestic animals, such as goats, sheep,
donkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs, chicken, ducks and other birds.
Additionally, a playground for the youngest visitors of the
Pet Zoo will be built. The Monrovia Children's Zoo - as it will be newly
named - will be reconstructed on the land, where the Zoo used to be. As
the land still belongs to Annie Steiner-Jolo, there is no need to search
for another location to rebuild the Zoo. In a later stage, after the
reopening of the Pet Zoo, orphaned wild animals that are not on the
protected species list could be accepted and reared. As FDA (Forestry
Development Authority) and SCNL (Society for the Conservation of Nature
of Liberia) confiscate protected wild animals, we would be willing and
able to take care of them - provided FDA will give the necessary
financial support.
Objectives and Beneficiaries of the Monrovia Children's Zoo
Animals / Ecological Aspect: Wildlife Protection
In this regard, the main objective is to save the lives of
orphaned and injured animals, to foster and rehabilitate them and, if
possible, releasing them back into the wild, thus making a positive
contribution to the protection of Liberia's wildlife. By 1990 the Animal
Orphanage exhibited more than 100 species of mammals, birds and
reptiles. Some of them, like the Ogilby's Duiker and the Tree-Hyrax,
were the only ones in any zoo facility in the world.
Children / Educational Aspect: Learning Program
The educational aspect of the former Zoo and Animal Orphanage
was tremendous and will be again of great importance in the concept of
the new Zoo. The aim is to give children and students an understanding
of the urgent need for nature and wildlife conservation not only in
general but particularly in Liberia.
 By
offering lectures about the different animals and by showing documentary
films within the Zoo, the Monrovia Zoo teaches children, students and
adults how to protect and to take care of the flora and fauna of their
country and encourages them to appreciate their surrounding and to treat
the animals with respect. School classes will benefit from special
entrance fee and guided tours, where they will get answers to all their
questions they have concerning the animals. Generally, people are afraid
of most wild animals and see them as a threat, and to them it has been a
must to kill these "bad" animals. Seeing the animals so close and
peaceful, playing happily, changed the mind of all the visitors and they
understood the importance each animal plays in the nature. The Monrovia
Zoo will also give assistance to scientific research on Liberian
wildlife by giving nature and environmental Organizations easy access to
observe the animals and the plants.
Population / Social Aspect: Recreational Facility
Young and old alike in Liberia's capital city are in
desperate need of community-based recreational facilities to overcome
war-traumas and spend their time meaningfully. There is no park in the
Monrovia area where children can enjoy nature. Furthermore, the
playground within the Zoo will be the only one of this kind in Monrovia.
The Monrovia Children's Zoo offers the population a recreational and
educational resource and gives them a place, where children can play
unhindered and have the chance to enjoy nature and wildlife from a close
perspective. As the Zoo will only ask a small entrance fee, it will be
possible for everyone to enjoy, not just a small wealthy elite. Also
because the Zoo is within the city borders and close to the centre,
people can get there by bus or walking. There is thus no need for a car
to visit the Zoo. Tourists as well as residents will be able to visit
the Zoo where they will gain an insight into the tremendous diversity of
Liberian fauna, besides being able to enjoy the park as a recreational
facility.
Restoration Activities
To reconstruct the Children's Zoo, the support of donors is needed for
the following planned activities:
Before opening:
1. Clear the area of unwanted trees and plant new trees and flowers.
2. Raise the level of the ground in some parts of the site. The level of
the Mesurado River, actually a lagoon, has risen due to global warming.
3. Repair the last part of the road leading to the Animal Orphanage that
is in bad condition.
4. Mark the areas designated for fencing, the playground, enclosures,
entrance and toilet facilities.
5. Construction of a perimeter fence.
6. Bring in the construction material such as cement blocks, cement,
sand, gravel and steel rods for the various structures that have to be
rebuilt.
7. Construction of the fences and shelters for the domestic animals,
including shade areas and rooms.
8. Rebuild the food storage building as well as the bird-aviaries.
9. Rebuild the palaver-hut, a 10 meter round pavilion.
10. Organize electricity, water, water-pump, freezer, welding machine,
wheel barrels, tools, a vehicle and more equipment.
11. Set up the children's playground to incorporate swings, slides and
see-saws.
12. Organize monthly funds for food and maintenance of the animals, for
animal caretakers as well as for watchmen.
13. Purchase the domestic animals, such as goats, sheep, donkeys,
rabbits, guinea pigs, chicken, ducks, parakeets and local birds.
Opening of the Monrovia Children's Zoo
After opening:
1. Start educational and conservational programs such as film-shows,
lectures, poster exhibitions, radio- and TV programs and an Internet
program.
2. Construct a nursing-room for incoming injured and orphaned wild
animals.
3. Construct the fences and cages to hold these wild animals.
Source: Official web of
Monrovia
Children's Zoo (2009)
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