Costa Rica Becomes The First Country In The World To Close Zoos And Ban Sport Hunting

Costa Rica is not a very big country, with a lot of extension, but it has a great biodiversity. Its forests, very rich in flora and fauna, are home to more than 500,000 organisms that represent almost 5% of all cataloged species on planet Earth. However, Costa Rica decided to ban hunting and close zoos, one of the most daring measures ever taken by the country.

Until recently, there were many animals caged in different zoos across the country. But the government is announcing plans and projects to close the nation’s zoos, freeing the animals from captivity. A clear example of beings that suffer in captivity is that of the polar bear, which used to live in a zoo in Mendoza, in very poor conditions.

Estimated date for closing of zoos

Author: Gustavo Garça Ont

These announced closures will come into effect when the government’s contract with the organization that operates the zoos ends. The facilities that are housing animals in captivity, such as the Simón Bolívar Zoo and the Santa Ana Conservation Center, will be transformed into urban parks and gardens where certain animals can roam freely.

With regard to birds, mammals, reptiles and insects that are in existing zoos, the government is receiving proposals to find suitable places to put them. The vast majority of these animals will be able to be relocated to the country’s extensive forest reserves, and those least suitable for release in these places will be sent to wildlife sanctuaries and rescue centers.

This government decision is accompanied by adequate legislation to protect animals from living in captivity.

Although the closing of zoos and captive animals is still far from being a global reality, it is taking progressive steps in many countries. For example, India very recently banned the exploitation of dolphins, joining the group formed by Costa Rica, Hungary and Chile. The United States will only keep chimpanzees in captivity.

Space conversion

These Costa Rican Congressional decisions were adopted unanimously, and are expected to protect wildlife throughout the country, including several species of large cats whose survival is threatened. Any hunter who does not comply with this law could face imprisonment and large fines.

The plan includes the transformation of facilities at the Simón Bolívar zoos and the Santa Ana Conservation Center, which currently house animals in captivity, but which, after a renovation, could be transformed into urban parks and gardens.

Hunters from all over the world often go to Costa Rica to hunt jaguars and cougars, in some cases solely for sport, in others to capture the cubs and sell them as pets on the black market. Parrots were also captured and sold around the world as pets.

popular initiative

The legal protection, which is already in place, was born from the initiative of the inhabitants of Costa Rica who took a long time to mobilize to take care of their native animals. In a recent campaign, close to 200,000 signatures ended up in the National Congress. After these legislative reforms, violators will be punished with a maximum of four months in prison and fines of up to $3,000.

Current panorama, animals in danger of extinction

Currently, the number of animals in danger of extinction increases every year, and many of these species are disappearing as a result of climate change, construction and hunting. In an estimate of what could happen by the end of 2016, it is assumed that more than ten species may disappear, mainly for economic purposes and for sport hunting.

These advances in Costa Rica are representing a unique and exemplary progress in which the environmental protection policy refers. In this sense, in Latin America, some steps have been taken towards the protection of biodiversity and animal wealth. The American continent contains a large part of the flora and fauna of the entire planet.

The Costa Rican authorities will guarantee the proper care of all the animals that inhabit their zoos, especially those that have always been in captivity, and to that end, they will create wildlife refuges and rescue centers in order to preserve and rehabilitate native wildlife. , no public exhibition or exhibitions that cause anxiety and stress for the animals.