Sure, there were plenty of wild diseased dogs running around freely, but a dog, domestic or wild, is a different type of animal. Where were the elephants? Where were the rhinos and monkeys? Anyone attacked by lions recently? NOTHING!
After a month of keeping my eyes peeled for a chance at seeing something other than a dog or cow sneaking onto the street, a colleague surprised me one day with a trip to the local zoo.
It wasn't exactly wild, but I was happy to finally see some African animals in AFRICA!
My excitement was crushed when we entered the zoo. It was probably the saddest zoo I have ever been to. I felt guilty walking around the rusting cages that held these pathetic prisoners. I was told that before the coup the zoo was very well maintained and popular. But funding and visitors stopped coming and it became difficult to support the animals. The caretakers were doing the best they could but they couldn't support all the animals. The carnivores suffered the most - meat isn't cheap.
These are a few pictures of the animals of the Abidjan zoo. I chose not to post the lions as they were thin and much too heartbreaking to see.
