Lion Park Zoo in Camperdown

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I would like to bring to your attention the state of the Lion Park Zoo up in Camperdown. I took my family there yesterday and from the moment we walked in, to the moment we left all I could feel was such sadness for each and every animal that is there. The atmosphere alone holds such gloominess, no hope and just a feel of emptiness.

I am aware that Brian Boswell is part owner of this zoo, and he is aware of the law against animal cruelty, yet these animals receive minimal requirements by the looks of things.

We walked around, and from one cage to the next we noticed the cages getting smaller and smaller. One Tiger cage housed 2 Tigers inside. One pacing back and forth from one end to the next, totally bored out of his mind. There is no space for them to run, they have one branch like system to climb, but that is it. My heart just broke for them. Most of these animals just looked like they've given up, and just lie in one spot day in and day out. There for the amusement of us ''humans'' to look at. No source of an enriching environment at all. Just a total disappointment. 

 The monkey area just broke me to tears. We were at this zoo 6 years ago, and nothing has changed since then. These monkey's are still alone, no much for them to do but sit around day in and day out. The Orangutan has been alone now for 6 years. He's still sitting there alone, not friend, no interesting apparatus to climb, no colour, no new toys or games to keep his mind learning new things. He just sat there playing with a piece of litter that someone had thrown into his pen. Those eyes still lonely and very empty, my heart just broken. 

Next to the Orangutan were the Chimpanzee monkey's. There are 3 of them. Two of them sat on their ''jungle gym'' contraption, shouting at the passer buyers. One of them was sucking a lollipop obviously from someone that threw it to him. Clearly ignoring the signs of ''Do Not Feed The Animal's''. There was once Chimpanzee sitting near the water's edge, the saddest animal I have ever seen in a long time. She had this massive growth on her bottom and I thought it was a tumor, so of course that just got me fired up and hence emailing anyone willing to listen and willing to help this poor soul. I did find out that it is not a tumor but that she is in season (she's going to be giving birth soon, regrettably in captivity). A part of me felt relieved that it was not a tumor but then I still feel such heart ache for her, as she will never know freedom, and nor will her off spring.

I have been in contact with Animal Anti Cruelty League and the Kloof SPCA and they are monitoring the facility on an on-going basis, and have laid charges against Mr Boswell for Animal Cruelty. They would do so much more to help these animals but can't due to the fact that it might put their pending cases at risk so they urge the public to come forward and help put an end to such cruelty and to help these animals in anyway possible. They urge the public to stop supporting such facilities as the less people that attend the zoo, the more chances of the animals being saved, and not being used as ''show'' attractions, for the amusement for the ''human'' race.

I do understand that this is a way for children to see animals, and to learn about these magnificent creatures, but I also feel at who's expense, those animals aren't happy. There is no life in their eyes. They get teased by people who do attend the zoo. They get sweets, and packets thrown at them. Their cages get hit on and these animals are subjected to just plain stupidity from the ''human race'', starting to feel that people should be put in cages instead and the animals should be on the outside, roaming free and appreciating life and their environment, but alas that is not the case. So if we can help these animals in anyway possible, even by being a voice for them so be it, one little voice can change the fate of so many magnificent animals, and I'm willing to be one little voice.

I don't know if this will get published, or if it can be brought to light for as many people to read as possible. I just feel that these animals deserve a chance at happiness, a change, anything. NO animal deserves such cruelty, NO animal deserves such a lonely life.

I'm sure there's a way to help them, even if it's upgrading the zoo, adding new elements, fixing up their ''homes''. Anything must be better than what they have now.

So I urge the public to share their story about the Lion Park Zoo, and what their experiences there were like. They get so many visitors yet the premises is not suitable for visitors. The toilet facilities are atrocious, my daughter who is 7 said to me ''Mom I'll hold it in''. There is a little tuck shop facility for chips and juice and that is it, a Tea Room would be so much better, with food and an atmosphere to sit back and enjoy the park, but the park is definitely not enjoyable, and there aren't any people around to help you, guide you around. There aren't people to help you answer any questions you might have about the animals. It's just a very, very sad place and I for one will not be returning there again, but I will stand up for those animals, and be their voice, because they can't speak from themselves, so someone has too.