Kumasi Zoo Ranks 5th Among Ghana’s Most Visited Tourist Sites – Manager

The Manager of the Kumasi Zoo, Dr Meyir Ziekah, has disclosed that the facility is currently ranked as the fifth most visited tourist site in Ghana.

Speaking in an interview with Kofi Boakye on Nkwantannanso on Opemsuo Radio, Dr Ziekah said the zoo recorded about 120,000 visitors in a year when it ranked fifth nationally, with approximately 80% of the visitors being students.

He said the high patronage by students provides an important opportunity to educate young people on wildlife conservation and the need to protect Ghana’s natural resources.

“About 80% of those who visit are students, and they learn about conservation and how to protect our natural resources for future generations,” Dr Ziekah said.

He described the facility as “the garden within the Garden City,” noting that the zoo occupies about 26 acres of land and remains well protected despite being situated within the city centre.

Dr Ziekah disclosed that the zoo currently has about 204 individual animals in its enclosures, including nine lions, two species of hyenas, different species of snakes, serval cats and about four porcupines, locally known as Kotoko.

He also noted that the facility is home to free-roaming animals, including bats, which form part of the zoo’s wider natural environment.

In a light-hearted appeal, Dr Ziekah called on Asante Kotoko Sporting Club to consider adopting the porcupine, known locally as Kotoko, as its official symbol.

He suggested that the move could have a positive spiritual significance for the club as it looks to make progress.

“The Asante Kotoko football team should come and adopt the ‘Kotoko’ as their symbol. I believe it will help them spiritually as the team moves forward,” he said.

Beyond tourism and conservation education, Dr Ziekah said the zoo has measures in place to provide veterinary care for its animals.

He disclosed that a veterinary doctor is permanently stationed at the facility to attend to the health needs of the animals, while an infirmary is also available.

However, he said the infirmary is not adequately stocked and appealed to individuals and organisations willing to support the zoo to help provide the necessary medical supplies.

“We have a veterinary doctor permanently stationed at the facility to take care of the animals. We also have an infirmary, but it is not adequately stocked,” he said.

Dr Ziekah further disclosed that the government has constructed a clinic for the zoo, but the facility is yet to receive the necessary medical equipment to make it fully functional.

He appealed to stakeholders and members of the public to support efforts to equip the clinic and stock the infirmary, describing such support as important to improving the welfare and treatment of animals at the facility.

He maintained that the continued patronage of the Kumasi Zoo, particularly by students, remains important to promoting conservation awareness and encouraging the younger generation to take an interest in protecting Ghana’s wildlife and natural resources.