The ethicality of keeping wild animals confined to enclosures for human entertainment has long been considered, with some praising the conservation and educational value of such, while others condemn the perceived mistreatment of the animals concerned.
The Johannesburg Zoo, under the custodianship of Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JPCZ), offers families who might otherwise have no opportunity to see wild animals in their lifetimes, a rare glimpse of creatures from around the world. Might this glimpse be enough to light a fire of conservationism in the hearts of young people, thus enabling a sustainable future for the planet’s living creatures, or is it merely for entertainment value? Is the Johannesburg Zoo a vital educational playground or a relic from a less eco-conscious world?
Founded in 1904, the zoo occupies 55 hectares donated to the public for recreational use by the firm of the late Hermann Ekstein. Bringing together the unmatched variety of fauna has taken decades of dedication. But the zoo has the same shortcomings as any business. Maintaining a positive perception is a growing challenge, with those shortcomings amplified by activists yearning to grant the animals a utopian ever after.
Is the zoo managed effectively enough to be granted ‘world-class’ status?
Conservation and the ethics of captivity
Research conducted by the Tourism Research Unit (Trees) in 2019 at North-West University highlighted Johannesburg Zoo’s commitment to animal care through its core pillars of conservation, education, research, and recreation. Professor Martinette Kruger of Trees and Professor Peet van der Merwe of tourism management at the university, suggest that zoos bear a dual ethical responsibility – ensuring species’ well-being and preserving those threatened by extinction.
“The zoo has made strides in creating awareness about wildlife conservation but there’s room for improvement, especially in making educational content more interactive to deepen public engagement,” said Kruger.
Socio-economic contributions
According to Van der Merwe, in a rapidly growing city such as Johannesburg, zoos can play a key role in tourism. “A well-managed zoo can contribute positively to the local economy, drawing visitors who spend money on tickets, food, and souvenirs,” said Van der Merwe. This revenue supports not only the zoo but also conservation and research programmes.
Kruger acknowledged that while concerns about animal freedom are valid, many visitors leave with a better understanding of conservation issues, noting, “the zoo’s educational value may outweigh these concerns for some.”
This ethical balancing act is a challenge for zoos worldwide, but the Trees research suggests that visitors recognise the zoo’s conservation mission alongside its entertainment value.
Ethical concerns and criticism
However, readers on Facebook disagree. In a post asking about the value of the Joburg Zoo, the response was overwhelmingly negative.
One reader, Trish Miles, said, “This zoo should have been shut down years ago. What are we teaching anyone about animals if they are neglected and mistreated?” While another, Samantha Collins, said, “Animals are suffering. Stop this archaic practice.” A third reader, Judd Sherrin, said, “It’s cruel and not how people should be educated about animals. It’s like a permanent circus.”
In a contrasting opinion, after visiting the zoo, local teacher Elsie Manana praised the zoo’s educational efforts. “The zoo is a great place for children to learn about different animals, and the zookeepers are actively involved in teaching,” she said.
Megan Carr, a senior researcher at the EMS Foundation, an organisation based in Steyn City that focuses on the advancement and protection of the rights and general welfare of wild animals, children, elderly persons, and other vulnerable groups in South Africa and Africa, argued, “the zoo cannot meet the needs of certain animals, like elephants, which require large spaces for movement and social interaction.”
Critics such as Carr feel that no form of captivity is acceptable, particularly for species that thrive in vast natural environments.
Van der Merwe acknowledged the ethical dilemma, stating, “For endangered species, captivity may be justified, if it prevents extinction. However, zoos must create environments that mimic natural habitats and prioritise animal welfare.”
However, that is not enough for Smaragda Louw, the director of Ban Animal Trading, who said, “Zoos are cruel. They don’t educate or contribute to conservation and it should be closed.”
The NSPCA, in a 2021 statement, noted that while they conducted inspections at zoos, their enforcement powers were limited to the Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962. Other relevant legislation is enforced by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment.
Zoo complies with Paaza, faces ongoing challenges
The Johannesburg Zoo has reaffirmed its commitment to meeting the standards set by the Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (Pazza), which conducts regular inspections to ensure the well-being of the animals.
Paaza mandates audits every three years to confirm compliance, ensuring the zoo meets its five fundamental freedoms for animal welfare:
• Freedom from hunger and thirst.
• Freedom from discomfort.
• Freedom from pain, injury, or disease.
• Freedom to express normal behaviour.
• Freedom from fear and distress.
The spokesperson for JCPZ, Jenny Moodley, highlighted the institution’s dedication to ethical practices, which are overseen by an internal ethics committee. This committee monitors daily operations, ensuring animals receive proper dietary supplements, medical care, and behavioural enrichment.
The Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment is responsible for overseeing enclosure designs and maintenance, ensuring animals are housed safely and comfortably.
Moodley said, “The elephant camp has been enhanced with safety features to protect the zoo keepers, and recently, a new owl training facility and climbing frames for the lions were installed.”
Ongoing concerns raised by visitors about the appearance and condition of the animals were addressed, with Moodley explaining that the zoo uses daily observation sheets to monitor the animals’ well-being, alongside maintenance and environmental management plans.
The zoo’s management has also faced criticism from the EMS Foundation, which is involved in a legal battle to have the elephants relocated to a sanctuary. The foundation argues that the elephants are living in adverse conditions, causing significant distress to the animals. Moodley responded that the zoo continually works to enhance the conditions for all animals, despite budgetary constraints.
Financial strain
Like many public institutions, the zoo is facing financial strain. Moodley acknowledged the financial impact on the zoo’s operations but emphasised the importance of their fundraising programmes, which range from adopt-an-animal initiatives to donations for enclosure upgrades and park furniture.
Facilities and visitor experience
An unannounced visit to the zoo this week by a Caxton Local Newspapers journalist revealed the following:
• Gate opening times ran marginally late.
• While the ablution facilities were clean, some required repair, which could affect visitor satisfaction, especially on busy weekends.
• It was clean, with very little litter, and with maintenance staff actively cleaning.
• Animal enclosures were clean, with maintenance staff actively cleaning the environment.
• Animals appeared well cared for.
• Staff were friendly and willing to help answer questions.
• Empty enclosures had adequate signage to inform visitors as to why the animals were not on display.
• Some ponds were covered in duckweed but did not emit an unpleasant smell.
Challenges faced
Load-shedding and water-shedding have also posed challenges, but alternative energy sources such as solar power and a wetland system to clean water from animal enclosures have been implemented.
Concerns about the quality of the zoo’s ponds were raised after some were found covered in duckweed (an overgrowth that covers the water surface, and limits the exchange of gases between the atmosphere and the pond) and emitting an unpleasant smell.
“Water is replaced regularly. Hippos excrete in their water, which we replace once a week to keep it odour-free. What is sometimes not great for humans, is exactly what animals enjoy – A good mud bath.”
Johannesburg Zoo focuses on visitor engagement, education, and conservation with new strategies.
Johannesburg Zoo has laid out a range of strategies aimed at attracting more visitors, boosting engagement, and raising awareness about wildlife conservation. With an annual programme of events, educational activities, and social media engagement, the zoo is positioning itself as a top destination for families, friends, and companies.
Visitor engagement strategies
The zoo offers a variety of events throughout the year, including:
- Festival of Lights and Joy of Jazz
- Free Senior Citizen Month in October
- The popular Zoo Birthday in March
Monthly activities such as Zootrot, youth clubs, and biodiversity events.
Educational programmes and conservation awareness
The zoo has introduced new educational initiatives to foster community engagement and promote wildlife conservation:
- An Owl Education Programme aims to highlight the value of owls and reduce harmful practices towards these animals
- The Reverse the Red Campaign focuses on addressing biodiversity loss and showcases positive steps taken to protect species on the brink of extinction
- In November, the zoo will host a Day for People with Disabilities, demonstrating how they can fully enjoy the zoo’s facilities
New educational signage has been installed across the zoo to provide visitors with more information about the animals and conservation efforts.
Plans and upgrades
The zoo has both short- and long-term goals aimed at improving its facilities and visitor experiences. Some of the planned upgrades and changes include:
- Transforming the old polar bear enclosure into a seal enclosure
- Upgrading the existing gorilla enclosure in preparation for acquiring gorillas
- Renovating the Education Centre and turning it into a digital village
- Collaborating with university students on research projects, including honours and master’s level studies
- Participating in both regional and international environmental conferences to stay at the forefront of conservation efforts
- Improving the zoo’s water reticulation system, road infrastructure, and the animal kitchen.
