I recently visited a Makurdi zoo located inside Benue state university in Nigeria, and honestly, it was an eye-opener. The place houses a few animals, but most of them looked like they were barely surviving.
For just ₦500, I was guided around by someone who wasn’t even the zookeeper. First stop was the Tantalus monkey cage. The monkeys were scavenging around the trees, clearly struggling. Next, the crocodile enclosure. There were big crocs barely moving, almost as if they were waiting for better days.
The peacock cage had a bird losing its feathers, which was the first time I’d ever seen that up close. The porcupines were lying almost lifeless on the floor, and even the hyenas, known for being active, were just lying down in the unkempt cage.
There was also a small monkey with poofy fur that caught my attention.
The closer view of the Benue River was a bit of a bright spot, but overall, seeing these animals in such conditions made me think: maybe releasing them into the wild would actually give them a better chance.
If you’re ever in Benue, it’s worth a visit. Just don’t expect a typical zoo experience. This is a reality check on why proper animal care is so important.
Never stop exploring, but always be mindful of what you encounter.
