Kumasi, Sept 08, GNA -The Kumasi Zoological Gardens Zoo now has in stock only 35 animal species with a total population of 140 animals. Mr Emmanuel D. Nimo, Senior Wildlife Officer in-charge of the Zoo, said among the stock are lions, water and bush bucks, crocodiles, different types of monkeys, birds, tortoises and snakes.

Mr Nimo told the GNA in an interview that the absence of buffaloes, elephants, leopards and tigers that attract visitors to the Zoo has not discouraged visitors from visiting the Zoo.

On the contrary, he said, visitation continues to shoot up. "Visitations at the Kumasi Zoo was around 64,000 for last year alone and it is our hope that the figure will even triple this year."

He said the figure for visitors would increase because visitation to the zoo is not just for the purpose of going to watch animals but also to relax and have fun.

"It is also a study ground for groups of people, serving as a centre for the conduct of certain types of research.''

On problems confronting the zoo, Mr Nimo said the issue of poor drainage system was a big obstacle to its smooth development and functioning and appealed to the city authorities to design an appropriate system that would help divert water from streams in the metropolis from the zoo.

He commended the government for constructing a fence wall round the zoo that, he said, had helped protect staff and animals against intruders.