- We will have a conversation about the monkeys and how the group works.
The organization's expertise and assessment will form the basis of what happens to the chimpanzees, says Sandra Wilke, CEO of Furuviksparken, to TT.
It is Furuviksparken that is responsible for its animals, but it is EAZA (European association of zoos and aquaria) that allocates chimpanzees and decides whether they should be moved to another zoo.
Must meet safety requirements
Furuviksparken is one of over 300 zoos from over 40 countries that is a member of EAZA.
In order to be a member, zoos need to meet various requirements, one of which concerns safety.
On December 16, two days after the incident where four chimpanzees were shot to death after getting out of their enclosures, EAZA commented on the incident in an email to SVT.
"We are in contact with the team in Furuvik and, just like them, take the situation very seriously.
Animal and human safety is a key factor in EAZA membership requirements," writes Tomasz Rusek, Communications Director.
He further writes that it is tragic that several chimpanzees have died, but that the conservation program for the West African chimpanzee is not threatened by it.
The park opens in May
According to Sandra Wilke, the park will open as usual in May.
- We have to learn to live with sadness around these chimpanzees who were affected and with whom the staff worked for many years.
It is up to everyone to visit us.
It is important to create engagement with zoos, but I fully understand if people do not want to visit us and we are helpful in paying back annual passes, she tells TT.