LOCATION: within the University of Ibadan Campus, Ibadan, Oyo State.

HISTORY

The Zoological Garden, University of Ibadan was established in 1948 as part of the Department of Zoology in the University. It was primarily meant to support teaching and research works of the department. Over time, wild animals of Nigerian native were acquired in the zoo for teaching and research. They were living in cages and enclosures adjacent to the department. It actually became a full-fledged zoo in 1974. A large number of people from far and near started visiting the zoo for tourism purposes since then. The zoo remains a place for the conservation of endangered species of animals. It forms a habitat for a wide collection of animals of different background.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN

The UI zoo was established as a menagerie in 1948. As a result of the University’s management decision to allow the public access to the animals, the zoo was borne. The desire of the University authority to make the collection of animals realize its full potentials as a zoo led her to hiring a white man, Bob Golding all the way from Bristol in England in 1963. He was in charge of the zoo as a Zoo Curator till 1979. Under his supervision, the animal collection was increased and diversified. Modern zoo exhibits were designed and constructed. Gorillas and chimpanzees exhibits with water-moat enclosure boundaries, pygmy hippo exhibits and reptile houses were part of the facilities constructed. At a time Bob Golding used to air a regular children television programme on Western Nigeria Television. On this programme, Uncle Bob (as he was fondly called) did introduce young viewers to an assortment of interesting animal species. This had a multiplier effect on the tourists’ visits to the zoo as their number was dramatically increased. As a result of the rapid growth and expansion, both in size and operation of the zoo, the University’s governing authority decided to separate what is known as the ‘Zoological Garden’, today from the Zoology Department. The zoological Garden was given autonomy as a separate Public Service Unit under an appointed Zoo Management Committee headed by the then Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor John Beetlestone, with Bob Golding as the Director.

The Zoological Garden since then has been providing tourists with new animal and natural world class experience and privilege of viewing wild animals in a new light. The safety and leisure of the Zoo visitors have been guaranteed. As at 1979, when Bob Golding left Nigeria, the zoological Garden was receiving about two hundred and fifty thousand visitors annually



ANIMALS FOUND IN THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN

Animals were donated by some prominent Nigerians who subscribed to wildlife preservation and other lovers of animals. The largest population is made up of monkeys with several species. Very popular among them is the Anubi (Olive) baboon. This specie can be found in twenty five African countries with a life expectancy of thirty years. They are usually found in the savannah and forest jungles while some live near streams. They are always in large groups of both sexes. They feed on fruits, flowers, tree barks, foxes and rodents. They feed on fruits served them in the zoo. The two prominent ones in the zoo are placed in separate buildings. They always growl on sighting visitors. The dirty aspect of their life styles is the fact that they always attempt spraying visitors at intervals with their faeces. Aside this specie, there are other species whose display activities are too great to behold.

The most beautiful scene of nature in the zoo is that of the birds’ colony. Birds of different species, ranging from the parrots, the Indian peafowl, monitor Bullard, the long legged black crowned crane, the African purple swan, the big white stork to eagles, are there.

Apart from the ones mentioned, the Dorcas gazelle which are small grassland antelope specie are found in the zoo. But the elands are more eye-catching. These are huge savannah/ open forest antelopes that measure up to six feet high. They feed majorly on leaves. Due to their great strength, they are caged in order to prevent them from pulling down fences and jumping over high barricades.

Ajoke, a friendly giraffe is one of the wonderful creatures found in the zoo. It is always seen playing with the zoo keepers. It is, however said to be dangerous if an unfamiliar person is at close proximity to it.

Horses are also present at the zoo. The most popular is the female called Mary. She does pose for photographs with interested tourists.

Other animals in the zoo include gorillas, camels, Warthog, foxes, lions and a wide range of reptiles.

I need to visit with my chic and sisters o.