Is there often only a single primate in each atrocious little cage? The Alexandria Zoo is making some of the hellholes in Southeast Asia actually appear to be half-decent.
Not sure about that. Remember that little torture bunker in Cambodia in which they keep leopards. Also remember all the testimonies on how keepers in Chinese zoos help the visitors to tease and torment the animals.
Usually its a pair in a cage (you can see two in the cage on the left); these do get changed around quite a lot and fortunately there are larger cages (fortunately). These smaller ones are mainly for feeding, so that the animal is always quite close to the front of the cage. There is also some additional space in their sleeping quarters (the rundown shack at the back) and I'm not sure if they can use the shack to get to another cage.
I've outlined my thoughts before elsewhere, there's a lot to say. Ultimately, I don't think it should be running in this condition - it has been in need of a major overhaul for many years (a childhood dream of mine was to lead the project myself) and is deteriorating. This zoo is stuck in the past, and its outdated enclosures are suffering from structural ageing too. As you rightly predicted, it's not very pleasant for animal enthusiasts to visit places like this. My most recent visit, in July, was by far the most depressing zoo visit I've ever made. There is an enormous cultural gap in the way that people regard animal welfare in Egypt and in the West. Before the revolution, it was difficult to justify spending large amounts of money on zoos when important resources for humans were severely lacking. However, most people do recognise that the zoo is dirty, doesn't seem too pleasant for the animals, and many people prefer the safari park (but that's another story...) I think that it is still important to remember that this zoo inspires people, and is generally a source of great enjoyment for the public - a raise in the entry fee earlier this year, making it the equivalent of around €0.50, was met with great anger for the public. The fact is that the zoo is the only accessible place for most Alexandrians to see wild (and some native) animals. There is great demand for the zoo, and, as in most societies, the presence of a zoo is almost expected in big cities; if this was officially closed down, other places would open to replace it. The booming pet trade is testament to Egyptian interest in animals. As I said earlier, I don't think the zoo should be operating at all with animals in these conditions, but there are a lot of factors we must consider before demanding its closure outright. I'm sure I've missed some points out, and I apologise if this post isn't particularly coherent, but I hope to have given you at least some ideas to answer your question. I'm happy to give you more details if you want.
devilfish, thank you so much for your explanation. I recognize the different sociocultural factors you mentioned. One must not forget that before our 'ideal', of how a zoo should be, had come into being, zoos across Europe were not much different than the one we see in these pictures. Even more so, it's only quite 'recently' (around the 70's) that western zoos had decided to take a turn from their 'stamp-collection' style of wildlife keeping and management in captivity for a better style, in which animals are given the space and care they need. I just wish that this form of 'revolution', in which people stop seeing themselves as 'more' or 'above' other animals, would come a bit quicker to these regions of the world. I've been to Egypt countless times, yet never have I visited a zoo there. I may go someday, though am afraid of what I might see. In any case, thank you devilfish for your thorough explanation.
