Been to the PH Zoo?  Why would you?  Bit of a scary thought?? Well, that's what I thought but it got me thinking...  

There are some dedicated keepers there "holding the fort" and doing the best they can.  But, of course, as it is running on nil budget the animals - mainly monkeys and a couple of lions - are suffering from lack of shelter and exercise.  People do visit it (for the princely sum of N100).  Local school groups attend.  There is a lot that could be done for very little money (eg build a shelter from the rain for the chimps).  A caring expat lady has done some work and plans to do more.  Of course money is needed.  She thinks her only help is through private donations.  My question to you is: "Do any oyibos out there think there is a chance some of our oil companies and service companies may want to sponsor the zoo cause and thereby support the local community (little "C", not big "C") in an entirely different but very direct way???"  A good, unique sponsorship opportunity for very little money.  Perhaps maybe sponsorship of N10-20,000 and for that the company could get recognition on the cages and could get nice dig photos for corp mags??? What do you think??? Win, win situation?? Every city deserves a half decent zoo.  Look, we all know a lot of people here in this country are suffering but animals deserve a bit of our compassion too.  And the next generation of Nigerians - the kids of PH - can enjoy/appreciate these animals in a much happier state and hopefully learn how more humanely man can help ape.    Anyone got any thoughts/comments???  All appreciated...

Thanks for your response.  I think you're dead right.  A quiz night is a great idea!  I'm hoping the interest is out there to not only get a bit of naira but some awareness too.  FYI - Here's some pics of the monkeys at the PH zoo.  From what I recall they had two chimps and maybe about 6 other smaller native monkeys - like the little guy with the banana in the pic.  There were a couple of sad looking lions glimpsed from a distance, some crocs in slimey water, two camels, a couple of stuffed (sic) lions and some porcupines.  See the quality of the enclosures in the pics.  It's estimated that only N20,000 is needed to give the chimps some shelter from sun and rain and some things to swing on.  This would be a good start.  Of course, the idea is that any money raised would not be handed over to the zoo but spent directly by expats who would buy ropes or whatever and sub contract welders and the like.     

I will be delighted to contribute if I know that the monies will actually be utilised for the animals and not into somebody's pocket.

Pls keep us posted.

A quiz night sounds brill, maybe I will be in town this time 6-7/3rd would be great. Keep us posted.

Dixi

Nicely done Chief, I read through the whole section yesterday evening and I must say that I'm impressed by the persons that took this up...!

 x 25 to all of you...!

Good one Chief and all of those who support the cause.

Would it at all be possible to have a total project value? This might be a good starting point.

In spite of my urge to make inappropriate jokes regarding the address of the zoo (Slaughter Junction anyone?)I think this cause is worthy of a "bump" back to the top of the pile.

I know that Chief has put it on the front page but looking at the donations received so far in relation to the salarys drawn from operations in The Garden City/ Rivers State I think we could do better.

It's a very worthy and noble cause, please contribute whatever you can. Sorry to sound a little preachy but I have been drinking. Thanks.

CO'O, well said, we seem to have some very stingy members, may be a swear box on the bar of each of the local haunts would reap richer rewards? (With 1 ton chain)

We're you at the world cup also?