Buenos Aires closed its cramped, aging zoo in 2016. Public opinion had turned against exhibiting animals for amusement and profit. The mayor of the city said zoo conditions were "degrading for the animals." Now the former zoo has become a biological reserve in the heart of the city. The transformation began with the relocation of more than a 1,000 animals to wildlife reserves around the world. Only a few older animals that cannot be relocated remain: two older elephants, two hippos, a pair of geriatric giraffes, and an arthritic camel. They all receive specialized care from their captors such as acupuncture for the camel and podiatry sessions for the elephants.
The park's goal has changed from profit-making to education and conservation of species. The zoo's baboon house has been renovated into a state-of-the-art wildlife hospital that cares for injured animals from all over Argentina. It also houses the largest gene bank in South America where genetic material from 120 species is stored in cryogenic suspension. Some of the older, listed building are also being restored. But the transformation from zoo to ark was not without setbacks. 119 animals died after the zoo closed its doors to the public, primarily from lack of care and old age. Visitors are allowed to visit the eco- park, but are limited to 2,000 per day to reduce stress on the remaining captives. [photo credit: Getty Images]
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