A zoo devastated by last year’s floods in northeastern Nigeria is gradually recovering. Dozens of animals were swept away, causing not only damage to the zoo’s infrastructure but also distress for survivors.

Maiduguri

The Maiduguri Zoo in Nigeria is undergoing significant recovery efforts following a catastrophic flood that resulted in the loss of 60% of its animal population. The disaster, triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam, not only killed dozens of people and destroyed property but also decimated the zoo's diverse collection of 137 animals across 29 species.

Repopulation efforts are underway, with new animals such as ostriches and a young lioness arriving, and more species expected from a Namibian government donation. Despite these positive steps, authorities face ongoing difficulties in replacing lost animals due to poaching and the demand for bushmeat, while reconstruction of the zoo's infrastructure continues.

Nigeria zoo: Enclosure repopulated after losing 60% of its animals

Visitors return to the Maiduguri Zoo encouraged by renovation and the arrival of new animals. Among them, a pair of ostriches and a young lioness to keep the surviving male company. Before the flood, we had 137 animals with different species of 29. So, after the flood, we lost most of them. Some of them are mixed. Some of the different species are mixed. Some of them died. The 2024 flood disaster caused by the collapse of Alau Dam killed dozens of people and destroyed homes, farms and businesses. The zoo lost 60% of its animals. Repopulating the zoo has started with a few individual donations. But authorities are struggling to bring in more species. Poaching and a growing appetite for bushmeat have decimated Nigeria's wildlife. As a result, it's becoming extremely hard to replace some of the animals that died in last year's floods. Nevertheless, officials offer a glimmer of hope with animals now on their way from Southern Africa. As I'm talking to you, we are waiting for the arrival of the donation of different species that Namibia government has donated to Maiduguri Zoo. Izge, a 43-year-old elephant, survived the disaster but is still traumatized. The flood disaster that decimated the animal population, though, has brought about some positive developments. A substantial portion of the outdated and dilapidated infrastructure is undergoing reconstruction. But for both visitors and animal keepers, the flood brings difficult memories. It's a profound sense of loss when several animals were swept away, notably Imus, a playful chimpanzee that was loved by all. Bukar hopes the new arrivals from Namibia will help to heal the wounds and ease the pain caused by the animals lost in the 2024 floods. Ahmed Idris, Al Jazeera, Maiduguri.

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