Many of the birds and animals in Taif Zoo seem to be suffering from diseases.

Local residents and visitors have criticized the zoo in Taif for neglecting its animals and bad upkeep.

They said the owner of the zoo is not taking good care of the animals and left some of them to starve by cutting their food supply, Makkah daily reported.

It was also claimed that many of the animals seem to be suffering from diseases.

Other complaints included bad services and a lack of variety among the animals.

Visitor Muhammad Al-Otaibi said the lack of cleanliness in the animals’ enclosures has caused foul odors to emanate from them.

He also claimed each visitor is charged SR10 even though Taif Municipality reportedly claimed entry in all zoos and parks is free.

Visitors are usually seen leaving the zoo as fast as they enter to avoid catching any diseases, said Al-Otaibi.

Another visitor, Khalid Al-Shehri, said the lack of cleanliness has caused the animals’ health to deteriorate.

He said: “Some are about to die in their enclosures.

This matter violates the teachings of our religion, which calls for kindness to animals, so why are these creatures placed in smelly enclosures? We are afraid that this zoo will infect visitors with diseases.

“We see only tame animals in the zoo, like cats, goats, camels, sheep, camels, cattle and birds. There is an elephant that is clearly diseased, some donkeys, horses, monkeys and dogs.”

Vet Khaled Abu Al-Izz said: “Neglecting the animals and not giving them the required vaccines, especially since they are in small enclosures, exposes them to serious diseases.

“These diseases might be transmitted to human beings just by going close to the enclosure.

“There are vaccines that ought to be given to isolated animals, especially those that have remained for long periods in their waste, which with time develop bacteria and harmful insects that cause diseases.”

A source in Taif Municipality said the zoo has received investment lately and is supervised by the municipality.

The source said if there are any violations in the animals’ upkeep or lack of cleanliness, the municipality would issue sanctions.

 
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