Surabaya Mayor Reports Zoo Cases Antigraft Commission

Jakarta (Antara) - Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini has reported the alleged mismanagement and graft in the Surabaya Zoo leading to the disappearance or death of around 420 rare animals, to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). "We still need a zoo," the mayor asserted while reporting the case to the KPK in Jakarta, on Monday. Among the animals that had gone missing from the Surabaya Zoo, were two Komodo dragons and 50 Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) birds, she pointed out. When the Surabaya authorities announced that it will take over the management of the zoo from the temporary management team set up by the forestry ministry, a hippopotamus was found missing from the zoo, she added. She did not specify who she reported to at the KPK, but she reiterated that she did report to the team. The mayor planned to meet Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan to discuss potential improvements in management and conservation efforts in the zoo. A number of endangered animals were also reported to have died mysteriously in the zoo over the past few months. In November 2013, a 22-year old jaguar died. Later, a giraffe was found dead with about 20 plastic wares in its stomach. The latest death was that of a male lion named Michael that died due to a cable wire that went around his neck in January 2014. (*)