Costa Rica to close public zoos

Costa Rican officials announced in July that they will close its public zoos next spring.

"We are getting rid of the cages and reinforcing the idea of interacting with biodiversity in botanical parks in a natural way," said Environment Minister Rene Castro in a press conference. "We don't want animals in captivity or enclosed in any way unless it is to rescue or save them."

The foundation that runs the animal parks is opposing the move, in which government officials plan to free more than 400 animals, of about 70 species, by either setting them back in natural habitats or in rescue parks.

According to the Associated Press, the Simon Bolivar Zoo in San Jose, which opened in 1921, will become a botanical garden. The 128-acre Santa Ana Conservation Center, will also close.

Both zoos are operated by a private foundation called Fundazoo. Spokesman Eduardo Bolanos told the AP that Fundazoo is attempting to block the closures, saying that it has a contract to run the zoos through 2024.

"We're worried about where the ministry is thinking of moving the animals since the Simon Bolivar and the Conservation Center are the only ones that have a veterinarian specialized in forest species and an animal nutritionist," Bolanos said.

The attempt to close the zoos is in line with other moves by the Central American nation, such as banning sport hunting and circuses with animals. Castro said these reflect "a change of environmental conscience among Costa Ricans."

While the closure is designed with animal welfare in mind, staff and volunteers at the country's already-crowded private rescue centers are questioning where all of the newly-freed animals will go.

"We have received so many animals this year that we have been forced to turn away animals," Maria Pia Martin, wildlife veterinarian at Kids Saving the Rainforest, told National Geographic. The centers are jam-packed this year because of December legislation mandating that wildlife can no longer be kept as pets. Since being passed, the new law has brought more than 2,000 additional animals to the rescue centers.

"We have eight acres -- it's a large property, but not big enough. It's going to be even more difficult finding a place for all the animals from the zoos," said Adriana Aguilar Borbon, marketing manager for Proyecto Asis, a facility in the Arenal region.