5 months after flooding, Maiduguri Zoo reopens with more animals

In late September 2024, the Sanda Kyarimi Zoo was left damaged after floodwater ripped through Maiduguri and interrupted every part of human and animal life. Following the devastation left by the flood, the zoo was faced with immense destruction of the wildlife, cages, walkways, enclosures, and surrounding businesses. The zoo, named after the late Shehu […]

In late September 2024, the Sanda Kyarimi Zoo was left damaged after floodwater ripped through Maiduguri and interrupted every part of human and animal life.

Following the devastation left by the flood, the zoo was faced with immense destruction of the wildlife, cages, walkways, enclosures, and surrounding businesses.

The zoo, named after the late Shehu of Borno, Sanda Kyarimi, who ruled the centuries-old empire, from 1937 to 1967, sits on a 42-acre expanse of land.

The general manager of the zoo, Ali Abatcha, said the September flood killed 80 per cent of the animals in the zoo, while others escaped into the city.

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Five months later, when Daily Trust visited, the zoo wore a new look as debris from the destruction had been cleared and the damaged perimeter fence and critical infrastructure rebuilt.

Glaringly, the nature and safety of the zoo have now been restored for the once-distressed animals and visitors alike, attracting men and women, young and old from different strata of society.

Our correspondent reports the buzz and bustle have picked up in and around the park, with visitors enjoying the thrill of getting close to the surviving and new exotic creatures.

Malam Goni Ibrahim is the father of Abuna and Mabur, who were brought to the zoo to celebrate their healing from circumcision.

“I brought them here to watch the animals and enjoy the serene atmosphere. The environment has turned into a mini heaven, more beautiful than ever,” he said.

Almost lost in thoughts, Bukar Goni Bashir, was curious about a new breed of hyena in the zoo. “It’s nice to see that all the dilapidated structures have been rebuilt and new species of wildlife like this hyena, giraffes and eagles have been brought.

They really tried,” he said.

Another resident, Aisha Abubakar, who took her children to the zoo said they missed the fanfare during the last festive seasons.

“We usually visit the place during  Sallah and Christmas for barbeque and our children have fun. It’s just fantastic to be able to experience this as a family,” she said.

For Alice Mathias, who was seen jisting with her boyfriend under a thatch hut, said the quietness of the environment attracted them to the zoo.

“It’s a serene atmosphere that gives us peace of mind to calmly discuss serious decisions of our life without interference. We shout and laugh at each other and still have ample time to settle our scores,” she said

Mathias also encouraged couples to frequent the zoo, watch the wild animals and reflect on their relationship, “It is actually healing and fulfilling” she added.

The manager of Sanda Kyarimi Park, Fatima P. Birma, narrated how they struggled, using boats, to rescue the animals during the flood.

“We had to use boats to rescue the animals swept away by the flood from drowning. Few of them were rescued while over 40 died.

“The lion also survived with several injuries, which took a couple of weeks to heal, and a few of the snakes and crocodiles went missing during the flood but were found and are currently at the zoo, the ostrich that was seen roaming on the road was returned safely to the zoo,” she also said.

Birma said they had to close for three months in order to put the zoo in order, regarding the animals’ health, structures and to cage them appropriately before reopening.

“This protects visitors from being attacked by wandering animals like snakes and crocodiles. The zoo is now reopened. It’s been renovated and painted with several colours, which are visually appealing.

“We never thought that we would have giraffes and chimpanzees in the zoo because, for the past 30 years, there were no giraffes here, but due to the government’s intervention, we now have them all,” Fatima said.

Another zookeeper said, “After the flood, we never thought the zoo would function this soon due to the severity of the damage. The zoo was in bad shape with just a few animals that survived.

“Fortunately, the World Bank came to the rescue through ACReSAL, which gave the zoo a new look, far more than ever before; rebuilt dilapidated structures and retrofitted others,” he said.

When contacted, the Project Coordinator of Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Mr Peters Ayuba, said the World Bank-financed project spent over N650 million to rebuild the flood-ravaged zoo.

He said the project acted on the request by the Borno State Ministry of Environment to renovate and retrofit the devastated zoo structure for the conservation of endangered animal species and recreation purposes.

“We did it in good time so that these animals are brought back to their cages for conservation and recreational purposes.

That is why we saw the need to quickly rehabilitate the place.

“We spent between N650 to N700 million to rebuild the entire damaged structure: the perimeter fence, walkways, cages and other enclosures for the animals.

“Since the zoo was established in the early 70s, there had never been a major rehabilitation like this. We totally overhauled the dilapidated areas of the zoo and improved structures where necessary.

“The new species of animals you see in the zoo were part of the agreement with the ministry to restock the zoo with the ones lost during the flood. You can see they brought in giraffe, hyenas, and other species of monkeys,” he said.

Also, the children playground in the zoo was not left unscathed, as the equipment were washed away through the collapsed perimeter fence, he said, adding that “the project also intervened to make the children occupied, elated, spoiled for choice.”

The Borno State Commissioner of Environment, Engr Mohammed Emat Kois, while taking the Task Team Leader of ACReSAL, Dr Iganya Joy Agene, around the zoo to see the work done, said the park has fully resumed.

He said the zoo houses and displays wild animals like lions, ostriches, crocodiles, pythons, elephant, white hyenas, buffalos, a giraffe, eagles and many species of birds, including the turning eagle and the marabou stork.

On her part, Dr Agene, said they were in Maiduguri to have firsthand information on the root causes of the September 2024 flood that damaged the zoo, the bridges, and caused erosions, with a view to intervening within its mandate.

She also visited the Alau Dam, where a dike collapsed and emptied 112 billion litres of water into Maiduguri; and the bridges destroyed by the flood at Ribangada and Maro-maro.

“We assessed the situation physically, and our recommendation is for a geotechnical study to be carried out by the government to see where and how we can support,” she added.

Our correspondent, who went round the zoo, reports that the lion cage, formerly at the back, had been moved to the middle; iron bars were erected to protect the elephant from human interference and more seats had been provided to accommodate visitors.