Sub-Saharan Informer - Entertainment


		The Pan-African Newspaper

Entertainment

German- Ethiopian Intercity partnership to give Addis Ababa a modern zoological Park
By Dereje Berhanu
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia –Addis Ababa plans to build a new zoological park on more than 25 hectares of land located at Peacock area in Bole sub-city in cooperation with experts from German partner city Leipzig.

The zoological park that is expected to be visited by two million people daily, would serve as conservation, recreational and educational research facility for the city. The zoo will have different kinds of ecological life in addition to services like a café and restaurant.

Talking at handing over of the master plan to city administration Dr Klaus Eulenberger former veterinarian at Leipzig Zoo and professor at the University of Leipzig said that the new Addis zoo will help the protection of biodiversity and ensures the adaptability of entire ecosystems to environmental change caused due to change in climate and other external factor.

According to Dr Klaus’ presentation on the role of zoological parks for the conservation of biodiversity, in a workshop organized by Heinrich Boll Foundation on Thursday, 4 March 2010 at Ghion hotel “raising awareness about the ongoing extinction of plant and animal species, through education, preservation and research, is crucial to consolidate the effect of the new zoo”.

A delegation led by the Mayor of Leipzig, Burk Hard Jung arrived in addis on Wednesday and briefed Mayor of Addis Ababa Kuma Demeksa and members of the City Cabinet on the construction of the zoo. The Mayor of Leipzig on the occasion expressed his city's readiness to provide all the necessary professional support for the construction of the zoological park.

The idea first came after Addis Ababa, interim administration delegation led by Mayer Birhane Deressa visited the city of Leipzig and its zoological park where they agreed with city officials to provide necessary support for the realization of the project. The Mayor organized a taskforce to develop a master plan under the auspices of the Addis Ababa Environmental Protection Authority (AAEPA).

The taskforce considered Leipzig zoo as the benchmark to plan the new park. The team then resumed searching for a site, which was conveniently large enough and selected Peacock Park. It was also stated that the lone city zoo called Anbessa Park, which is found around Sidist Kilo was not up to the standard for a capital City.