Certain Parties Seeking to Change Surabaya Zoo into Mall

Jakarta (Antara) - Certain parties are seeking to change the Surabaya Zoo (KBS) into a shopping mall, Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan stated here on Wednesday. "The KBS is strategically located in the city center and enjoys a high real estate price. Certain parties are seeking to close the KBS and set up a shopping mall there," he announced on the sidelines of a people's forest development campaign event attended by the sub-district and village heads of the Way Kanan District, in the Sumatran province of Lampung. The minister issued the statement in response to a long-standing dispute over the KBS management, which had led to the deaths of two more animals in the zoo during the past few days, namely wildebeest (an African cow) on Monday (Jan. 6) and a male lion on Tuesday (Jan. 7). He noted that the century-old KBS was once managed by the Forestry Ministry. Its management has now been handed over to the Surabaya city administration. Zulkifli acknowledged that under the current Mayor, Tri Rismaharini, the city administration has ably managed the KBS, which is evident by the budget allocated to it. However, when questioned about the actions to be taken regarding the recent deaths of the animals housed in the KBS, the minister stated that he has not yet taken up the matter with the KBS management. "Let them answer directly," he said. Regarding his accusation that certain parties are keen to set up a shopping mall there, the minister remarked that the concerned authorities will investigate the matter. "We wish that the zoo, which is over 100 years old, should not be closed," he added. (*)