BCM has approached two different organisations for help with its troubled East London Zoo.
It has approved service level agreements (SLA) with Safari4u and the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (NZG) to help raise the standard of care at the zoo.
Safari4u is a tourism-funded programme that gives pre-vet students – or anyone interested in animals, conservation or the veterinary field – the opportunity to work with animals in an African veterinary setting.
In a report tabled before council last month former acting head of municipal services Howard Sikweza said the students now visit the zoo on a regular basis and work with zoo staff on various behavioural enrichment programmes for the zoo animals.
“This is a source of training for the zoo staff as well as the students.”
He said the students and Safari4u’s permanent vet would assist with basic animal health checks and in various animal treatment operations that have taken place at the zoo.
“Safari4u have offered to make their qualified veterinarian available to service the needs of the zoo as and when required.
“The relationship is beneficial to both the East London Zoo and the Safari4u students,” said Sikweza.
Municipal services acting head Kholekile Tapile said zoo staff had gone on a study tour that included a visit to the NZG and a positive working relationship was initiated.
The organisation falls under the SA National Biodiversity Institute, and it is an accredited member of the Pan-African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (Paaza), Tapile said in a report tabled before council.
He said the need for action was urgent as there was a constant risk of further legal action against BCM by the National SPCA over welfare issues.
The NZG officers will support the EL Zoo with animal exchange, disposal and acquisitions, animals health, husbandry, compliance with Paaza standards and staff capacitation, Tapile added.
The agreement is linked to the remainder of the current local government term, which ends around August 2021.
During the council meeting the DA supported the agreements but wanted clarity on whether money was to be exchanged between the parties.
Municipal services portfolio head for community services Helen Neale-May said the first agreement had nothing to do with procurement.
“It’s basically students from overseas – they come to Chintsa and East London so it’s a programme we are signing a memorandum of understanding with and they render services to us for free.”
Neale-May said the second agreement was intergovernmental.
“This is a very beneficial for BCM to have this agreement with national government so that we can share,” she explained...