Baboons may stay in Helsinki Zoo after huge public response

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According to a press release by Zoo Director Seppo Turunen, the Helsinki Zoo is to abandon its decision to put down all its baboons. The reason for this is the huge public response against the action. However, the baboon enclosure repairs will now have to take place in the course of the upcoming winter, and the repair work is to be financed by funds the Zoo has received in a legacy.
     
The baboons will be placed in the Zoo’s quarantine premises on the neighbouring island of Palosaari for the period of time that the repair work will take.
      The baboons’ enclosure, the Lion Castle dating from 1935, is listed as a protected building. Nevertheless, attempts will be made to improve the enclosure so that it would be more suitable for the baboons.
     
The public discussion about the decision to do away with the baboons has been seriously one-sided, says the Zoo Director.
      He claims that in terms of genetics, the Helsinki baboon population is considered to be degenerated. Consequently, the Zoo will have to acquire new baboons in the future to prevent the population from deteriorating further.
     
Moreover, the Helsinki Zoo has offered to give the baboons to other zoos for years, but there has simply been no demand for them. On the contrary, currently 19 European zoos and wildlife parks are offering to give away baboons.
      According to General Curator Leif Blomqvist, the head of animal maintenance at the Helsinki Zoo, baboons are not a suitable species for the Helsinki Zoo, nor will they ever be so. He argues that try as they might, the Zoo will never be able to give the baboons the best possible conditions - not even after the renovation work is complete. 


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Helsinki baboons to be granted extra time after public response (12.10.2004)
  Dramatic response to calls to do away with Helsinki Zoo baboons (11.10.2004)

Helsingin Sanomat