Trapped in Desolation: The Shocking State of Animals in Closed Korean Zoo

The shocking state of a private zoo that recently closed its doors has been revealed, with some animals reportedly neglected.

According to a report by MBC on the 1st, about 270 animals, including monkeys, lions, and hyenas, are left alone in an indoor zoo in Daegu, which has not been in operation since November last year.

The indoor zoo in Suseong-gu, Daegu, cannot supply a minimum amount of electricity due to non-payment of maintenance fees. The glass windows confirmed the state of the neglected animals. The lion had wounds all over its body, including its legs and abdomen, and showed a dull expression, staring at one spot.

Due to non-payment of maintenance fees, animals like fox monkeys and meerkats, which live in warm regions, were seen huddling together to maintain their body temperature. Symptoms of stress, one of which is ‘stereotypic behavior,’ were also observed in the animals.

The local government in charge of the zoo, Daegu City, stated that they had conducted on-site inspections seven times since the zoo closed. Still, they said there were ‘no particular peculiarities’ regarding the animals’ environment.

In February, the Korean Zoo and Aquarium Veterinary Association visited the closed Daegu indoor zoo and conducted treatments. This zoo is located in the basement of a shopping complex. One caretaker is currently responsible for the animals’ food, but it is speculated that even essential management, such as feces management, is not conducted correctly.

During the last visit, the Veterinary Association treated the animals the zoo owner allowed to be treated first. This included a hornbill with a broken beak, an owl suffering from an eye disease, an owl with one eye blind, and a lion with red wounds on its abdomen and legs.

The remaining 220 or so animals in the zoo are reportedly planning to move within this year. The zoo owner revealed plans to donate all the animals to a zoo in Gyeongbuk, which is scheduled to be completed early next year.

However, making temporary arrangements for the neglected animals in the zoo is complex, and this seems to be the first issue to be addressed. Animals are treated as private property, and rescue cannot be done without the owner’s consent.

Fortunately, since the zoo owner revealed plans to donate the animals to a zoo in Gyeongbuk, the animals can move to a place with better conditions.

Shockingly, this owner also operated the Pukyong Zoo, which neglected Barami. She was so thin that her ribs were visible and called the ‘rib lion.’ It has been confirmed that Barami is now happy after moving to Cheongju Zoo.

However, about ten animals, including a lion known as Barami’s daughter, are still living in Pukyong Zoo. Two snakes in Pukyong Zoo were moved to the Daegu Zoo in Suseong-gu, which was revealed through the report. Due to this situation, discussions are underway to send the animals left in Pukyong Zoo to Cheongju Zoo.

The MBC reporting team recently discovered that the location for the proposed zoo in Gyeongbuk, as stated by the zoo owner, is actually in Goryeong. However, it was surprising to learn that no zoo is currently being built in Goryeong, and the permit application documents have not been submitted yet.

An industry insider argued that the owner and related agencies of the zoo within the Daegu theme park should continue to show a responsible attitude and care for the animals until they find a haven.

Meanwhile, netizens who heard the news reacted with comments such as “The zoo itself is a model of abuse”, “How can such a person run a zoo”, “The animals’ expressions are so sad”, and “Laws for animal protection need to be made more effective”.

The ‘Zoo and Aquarium Act’ was fully revised last December, strengthening permit requirements to create a ‘habitat environment suitable for wild animal characteristics.’ However, the detailed content is still inadequate, and zoos established before the implementation of the ‘Zoo and Aquarium Act’ are not included in the scope of the law, and this situation is ongoing.