Surabaya Zoo Gets New Operation Director

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini has appointed conservationist Arseta as the new operations director of Surabaya Zoo, replacing Lian Kaspe, who has entered retirement. President director of the Surabaya Zoo Ratna Achjuningrum reported on Friday that she had received a decision from the Surabaya mayor on the appointment of Arseta as operations director starting September 1, 2014. Shortly after Arseta assumes the post, she will do lots of homework, including improving feeds to the animals according to advice from domestic and foreign animal experts, Ratna noted. "The quality of food and cages will be improved," she said. Many cages were old enough and were no longer fit for the animals to live. Of course, this will be the task of the new operations director, she said. Only recently, the Conservation Institution had granted the Surabaya municipal administration a wildlife conservation permit expected to help save the zoo from being closed down, as many animals had died due to mismanagement over the last few years. The permit will facilitate a crucial overhaul of the zoo and allow it to resume animal exchange program, including transporting sick animals to other better-equipped zoos and conservation centers, where they can receive better treatment. The permit has required the Surabaya Zoo management to comply with Law No. 5/1990 on the conservation of biological resources and ecosystem. According to the permit, the cage of every animal must be improved considerably to ensure that the animals feel comfortable akin to their natural habitat. (*) Reported by Abdul Hakim