The recent Municipal Council meeting regarding the future of the Zoo turned into yet another disappointing display of political paralysis. While the overwhelming majority of municipal councilors now publicly acknowledge what the community has been shouting for years, that the Zoo is a disgrace to our city, we instead witnessed a charade of disagreements centered on pre-existing plans and various alternative proposals.
As a research department, we wish to make it clear: we have no interest in the alternative proposals currently on the table. Proposals that appear to cater to new vested interests and a reshuffling of the spoils. The goal is not merely to change the operator or the name of the enterprise; the goal is to put a definitive end to this exploitation. Once again, we found ourselves watching the same old play: bureaucratic excuses, endless debates and a pervasive pattern of obstructionism that leaves a bitter aftertaste. One must ask: who stands to gain from the prolongation of this ordeal? The core issue gets lost amidst bureaucracy and kickbacks, while defenseless animals continue to rot in wretched, cramped cages, and the voice of the citizen is blatantly ignored.
Limassol does not need a zoo-prison, nor does it need alternative business schemes that will only continue to squander public funds. It needs a space that truly belongs to its citizens. We want an open, green lung within the city, an oasis for relaxation, culture, and recreation to be enjoyed daily by the community, free from the stench of captivity and profit-seeking. It is time for the voices of the citizens themselves to be heard, rather than those of the contractors.
As a research unit, we join our voices with the thousands of citizens demanding what is self-evidently right. We have launched an official petition via the Animal Hero platform, calling for the immediate and permanent closure of the Limassol Zoo, the safe relocation of all animals to specialized sanctuaries in Cyprus or abroad and the return of the site to civil society.
Stop tolerating their excuses and their games. Sign the petition now, share it everywhere and send a powerful message: this space belongs to the citizens. Close the prison now!
✏️ SIGN THE PETITION HERE: Close the Zoo Park in Limassol, Cyprus – Animal Hero
