Our Monkeys in Ibadan Zoo free from Ebola - Director

Dr Olajumoke Morenikeji, Director, Zoological gardens, University of Ibadan on Tuesday said that the Zoo was safe for people to visit.



She told the News Agency of Nigeria NAN on Wednesday that the Zoo had continued to enjoy high patronage in spite of the news on the break of Ebola virus in the country.

Morenikeji recalled that the Zoological garden was established in 1948 primarily to support teaching and research in the Department of Zoology of the university.

She said that with time the animal collection grew in number and diversity, while the garden gradually became a fully fledged Zoo in 1974.

“We are not affected in any way. I think our people are enlightened enough to know that our monkeys and Chims are not infected with Ebola virus.

‘”This is because they have not been out, they have been in enclosure and people don’t touch the monkeys.
“We are fine in the Zoo and no Ebola virus. The only monkeys that can have Ebola are the ones that have the virus in them,’’ she said.

Oteri Efuturi, a visitor from Edo state to the zoo said although he was aware of the news about the virus, he was not afraid to visit the zoo.

“The information I got about the virus is that it is not an airborne, I am in the zoo to see the nature of God which I believe will not be harmful to me, ‘’ he said.

Mr Seye Esan, a banker said he was on vacation and decided to visit the Zoo with members of his family.
“Well we are well informed and also aware of the outbreak but that does not mean we should run away from animals”

“We are also taking precautions all the same, we know the animals here in the zoo are not infected with the Ebola virus,” he also said. (NAN)