From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Animals at the Imo zoo were at the weekend relocated to an unknown destination.
Before the relocation, there are speculations that the zoo would be converted to an estate.
Our correspondent gathered that a truck and trapping equipment were brought to the wild life centre located on Nekede road, Owerri, at about 2pm to convey the animals to their new homes.
Acting Manager of the zoo, Nkiru Onyeagocha, was seen supervising the trapping of the animals at the zoo with heavy police presence.
When contacted for her reaction to the , relocation, Onyeagocha said she can’t speak on the matter. She rather referred our correspondent to the Commissioner for Tourism. .
Meanwhile, staff of the zoo who were not happy about the development, protested against their ten-month salaries allegedly owed to them by the state government.
The angry staff, despite the heavy police presence, made effort to prevent the relocation of the animals.
It was gathered that those relocating the animals came from Jos Zoological Garden.