04-12-2014: The Johannesburg Zoo responds to its expulsion from WAZA
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) have been advised by Gerald Dick, Chairperson of WAZA that the Johannesburg Zoo has been expelled as a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria (WAZA), stemming from the putting down of eight Sitatunga on 3 August 2014 at the OR Tambo International Airport by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).
JCPZ has on numerous occasions stated that the Johannesburg Zoo’s involvement was only to make available its accredited quarantine facilities to Clive Albutt a private game keeper in South Africa. In lieu of the fee, the Zoo would retain two of the eight, Sitatunga for conservation purposes.
The issue arose when the consignment of Sitatunga antelope arrived in the country on 1 August without the necessary clearance for the Schmallenberg Virus. The new outbreak of the virus on the European continent necessitated that antelope be barred from leaving the European continent.
WAZA maintains that the Johannesburg Zoo is to be held accountable and not the Zoo in Prague for ensuring that the necessary tests were carried out. This is even though:
The Johannesburg Zoo had made it very clear from the outset that it had not initiated the partnership with the Zoo in Prague. The travel arrangements were undertaken by a private company commissioned by Clive Albutt – the private game keeper who initiated the partnership.
The Zoo in Prague had stated that they had conducted the necessary tests on the Sitatunga and todate have not been willing or able to provide the investigators or WAZA with copies of the clearance certificates.
The consignment went through three checkpoints in Europe prior to landing in South Africa without any of the authorities verifying the clearance for the virus.
The German airline that transported the animals had refused the return of the consignment of Sitatunga and has subsequently had its animal carrier status suspended.
DAFF requirements for a clearance for the virus in SA, was not a prerequisite when the travel permits were being facilitated.
JCPZ had appealed to WAZA to make available documentation and allow the independent forensic audit that is currently underway by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to be concluded, prior to making any decision on the matter. The findings of the report are set to be presented on Friday, 28 November. This request to WAZA was based on the facts that:
The Pan-African Association for Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZA) had awarded the Zoo with a five-year membership only two months prior to withdrawing it on the basis of non-compliance in this matter.
Vital information alleging that JCPZ had not complied with WAZA requirements have not been forthcoming and has not been made available to the investigators acting on behalf of JCPZ; and
WAZA had not afforded JCPZ the opportunity at its annual conference to clearly state its role in the matter which was presented by John Werth from the Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria in the absence of the Johannesburg Zoo, and which absolves the Zoo in Prague of any oversight or non-compliance on their part.
The Johannesburg Zoo continues to ensure that the animals in its care including the recently acquired leopard and two Siberian tigers are afforded the best care possible. The Zoo remains the ‘Best Outdoor Recreation Facility’ as voted for by the residents of Joburg in a recent survey conducted by the Star Newspaper and was also accorded with the award for excellent environmental education and conservation by the National Business Institute Awards to be presented on 1 December.
The PWC report will be presented to the public and we urge residents to afford this 110-year institution with a rich history of conservation and education, the opportunity to clearly state its role in the ill-fated and unnecessary loss of the eight Sitatunga. JCPZ would also like to reaffirm that if there were breaches in its processes in making available its quarantine facilities – then the organisation is committed to decisively dealing with employees that flouted policies and processes.
Issued by
Councillor Chris Vondo, MMC for Community Development in the City of Joburg.
Media Quiries
Jenny Moodley
T: 011 712-6615/082 8030 748
E: jmoodley@jhbcityparks.com
W: www.jhbcityparks.com
