The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) warned that Simón Bolívar Zoo will not be able to exhibit Lion Kivú anymore.
The decision is based on a series of reports on the state of health of the animal, which were presented by Simón Bolívar Zoo Foundation (FUNDAZOO), which is in charge of managing the property.
According to the Ministry, despite the fact that the foundation has done some actions to improve Kivú’s health condition after the order issued by MINAE and MAG on September 7th, the lion doesn’t have an optimal, physical condition. In addition, Kivú is old and a chronic patient, that’s why the MINAE and the MAG have determined that it can’t be exhibited to the public any longer.
FUNDAZOO tries to keep the lion in the facility, so it designed a plan to improve the conditions in which it lives. However, it contradicts the mandate sent by the MINAE and MAG: they ordered the construction of a new site for Kivú in Santa Ana.