Cuban Zoos

Cuban Zoos

Most animal protectionists have a low opinion of zoos. While arguably they offer some education, they subject their animals to unnatural lives of confinement and stress. Surely animals have the right to be free of such treatment. In these respects, Cuban zoos are no different from zoos anywhere else.

The first Cuban zoo I visited was the Havana City Zoo. Built before World War II, it was quite modern for its day. Most animals there were shown in relatively spacious simulated natural areas appropriate to the animals in them. Instead of bars, the animals were contained by moats and steep walls to prevent them from mingling with the general public. This was the state of the art when it was built. I can remember visiting a similar zoo in Cincinnati when I was a young boy. It was the pride of Cincinnati at that time well before we began to think about the rights of animals.

Only there is a difference between the Havana and the Cincinnati zoos. Cincinnati's is kept clean and well-maintained, while Havana's needs lots of attention. In Havana the walkways and the animals' display areas were littered with scrap paper, food wrappers and debris. Each display area has a water pond, but in Havana, most of those have no water in them. I recall thinking; I wonder of those poor bears have to wait for it to rain to get a drink of water? All in all, the Havana City Zoo was a disappointment and a reminder that many civic services are showing signs of neglect.

The other zoo in the Havana area is the National Zoo. This one, in the care of the state, is in much better condition, and occupies hundreds of acres in the far outskirts of Havana. Just as open grottos were state of the art before World War II, now the state of the art is like Lion Country Safari--having large open areas simulating various landscapes from around the world with free running animals. The observers go through the park protected in vehicles. As we did so, we saw lions, antelope and water buffalo. Certainly this provides more freedom and realism. But in an absolute sense, it is still confinement.

The director of the National Zoo is a tall, personable man very dedicated to his work. Our tour was accompanied by a discussion of each free-ranging area, and we could get very close to the animals here. And the place is well-maintained without litter or mess.

As we concluded our tour, we were shown an older part of the zoo. There iron bars defined a large collection of cubicles with too many primates. At least they were well fed and cared for. It was a reminder that nothing is perfect. Today, the government recognizes that zoos need to be improved. Very recently a commission was established by the Ministry of Agriculture to function within Aniplant to review zoos and recommend improvements. It includes vets, techs, a sociologist, and Nora Garcia, Aniplant's President. It will work with the environmental authorities in Cuba to recommend the creation of needed improvements for the benefit of animals.

Thus the 23 other municipal zoos in Cuba will be moved toward and humane practice.

Les Inglis