~ Amidst today’s debate about its relevance ~
By Alita Singh
A modern day Noah’s Ark is an apt description for St. Maarten Zoo in Madame Estate together with its counterparts in all corners of the world, says Zoo President Rob Heil. They are arks because they struggle together with scientists and researchers around the world to sustain and protect endangered and threatened species.
Despite their conservation and education role, zoos have not yet shaken the stain of their origins as menageries to display exotic animals in cages for the sole enjoyment of paid patrons. Today, animal care activists around the world and at home in St. Maarten have doubts about the role of zoos in modern society. The debate wagers as the numbers of animals in the wild dwindle due to the destruction of their natural habitats. The only saving grace for some species is the zoo conservation sanctuary programmes.
Heil and Zoo Public Relations Officer Barbara Cannegieter understand the debate about the purpose of zoos. They, however, continue to be steadfast in their work to provide a home to some 65 species, including about 10 “local” ones, housed in the 20-year-old zoo. Some animals are from conservation programmes; others were rescued or confiscated by the Customs Department from traders or importers without proper documents.
A flock of wild Amazon parrots visit in the zoo regularly to chat with their fellow parrots resident in the zoo, said Cannegieter. “No animal in the zoo has come directly from the wild. We don’t believe in capturing animals for display or amusement of people,” Cannegieter said.
Making babies
The zoo has five cotton top tamarins, another critically endangered primate. By providing the right care, the cotton top pair is the parents of three young ones who will soon leave “home” to help their species as part of the Colombia based conservation Project Titi.
Two of the cotton tops were born in October 2011 and the other is about two years old. An animal on the endangered or threatened list giving birth in a zoo is immediately reported to the “stud bookkeeper” for recording and possible later pairing to help foster the species. This was a saving grace for the Golden Lion Tamarins (a small monkey) and the cotton tops.
For the three “St. Maartener” cotton tops, the stud bookkeeper will place them where the same bloodlines are not intermixed, another concern when dealing with endangered animals. St. Maarten Zoo was involved in a tamarin conservation programme that helped increase the number of tamarins from about 60 in the wild to some 1,000. The zoo’s pair has long since died from old age.
The zoo’s ocelot was found to be of a blood type not yet in the conservation breeding programme in the US and was sent there. A pair of non-breeding ones was loaned in its place by the US zoo to the local one. Two bush dogs from St. Maarten are part of a breeding programme with the St. Louis Zoo in the US. Bush dogs don’t breed well in captivity, but they did in the local zoo, “a lucky and unusual event.”
“Conservation is key,” said Heil. Bigger zoos are able to do more for animals on the brink of disappearing. Though, small and underfunded, the local zoo is an active partner in ensuring the survival of some animals.
Getting schooled
Next to its role in conservation, the zoo is striving to increase its education function by bringing people face to face with creatures. “If people don’t know about the animals, they can’t take care of them,” Heil said, adding that care extends to include in the wild and outside the wild.
Attitudes about caring for animals are changing, thanks to efforts of animal welfare groups and activists such as Mercedes De Windt, said Heil, “a lot of people suddenly understand the need for care.”
Nurse maid
Cannegieter pointed out the zoo’s work in caring for injured animals – pelicans, iguanas – brought into its care. They are nursed back to health by zoo personnel with assistance from veterinarians Chris and Terry de Wit. Those belonging to the local environment are released back into the wild.
The zoo is also home for “Indy” the caiman and “Jeffrey,” a blind ostrich. Indy was transferred from a small, crowded cage at the old Indiana Jones restaurant some years ago to the zoo, a community and restaurant cooperation. Jeffrey was left behind by the circus and, through efforts of animal activist Mercedes De Windt, it was given a home at the zoo.
The zoo acts as the shelter for animals confiscated by Customs. One such animal was a woolly monkey, considered highly endangered. He was found a home in a sanctuary in England by former Zoo Manager Nick Atchinson, and is now part of the International Breeding Programme for Endangered Species.
Survival skills
The zoo continues to fund its operations with its daily cash receipts, donations and fundraising efforts of its board. “It’s always a slippery slope with finances.” It helps that Atlantis Tours has partnered with the zoo to offer it as a stop on its island tour for cruise ship passengers. Stay-over visitors are also frequently at the zoo.
Local residents’ visits to the zoo are few. There’s hope this would change in the near future through the venue being used for children’s parties and school tours. That hope fits with the zoo’s third goal of recreation. The overall zoo recreation offerings were enhanced with the addition of the pirate playground that was once on Captain Hodge Wharf.
Cannegieter said the zoo is always in need of volunteers and is on the lookout for next board members. Maintenance is also an issue, but the board keeps up for the safety and comfort of the animals. A small subsidy was received from the government; that has long since dried up while the zoo struggles to pay the commercial water rate to utilities company GEBE. “We could do better if we had more money … have better exhibits instead of having animals in cages,” Cannegieter said.
Zoo views
Animals R Friends (ARF) Foundation is against the use of animals for entertainment purposes in all forms. This includes animals in zoos. ARF President Monique Hofman said animals must remain in their natural environment and habitat and should not be locked up in cages. “We do appreciate all the hard work of the people who take care of the animals in St. Maarten Park [zoo] on a daily basis, since these animals would no longer be able to survive on their own.”
The new trend in many zoos is making the living spaces and environment much bigger and more in accordance with the animals’ natural habitat, she added. “There are more open spaces and fewer cages.” No more zoos should be created said Hofman. Existing zoos should upgrade and improve their facilities (bigger, more natural and clean living spaces) and rather than capture animals for display, support special programs to help endangered species and eventually reintroduce animals to their natural environment. Furthermore, more supervision should be installed to prevent visitors of zoos harassing and/or stressing animals.
ARF’s opinion is that education can never be used as justification for animals living in captivity; there are many other ways to educate the population. Zoos can have a sanctuary or shelter function for animals that became homeless and cannot be returned to their natural environment, the ARF president said. She also used the example of Jeffrey the blind ostrich left behind by the Suares Circus, as well as several tortoises “kindly adopted by the zoo.”
St. Maarten Animal Welfare Foundation was also asked for a comment on its view of zoos, but its board was still debating whether to make comments about another animal organization.
Animal activist De Windt was also asked for her view on zoos. She is not in favour of animals in captivity.
For more information about the zoo, visit www.stmaartenzoo.com
