Sited in a place about seven kilometres from the ever-busy Ring Road area of Benin City is one of Edo State’s most popular recreational centres – the Ogba Zoo and Nature Park.
Established 43 years ago, the zoo occupies a vast piece of land spanning 750 acres owned by the state ministry of environment and privately managed by BENZOPA, a non-governmental organisation specialising in eco-tourism and bio-diversity management.
The expansive recreation centre is home to an array of wildlife and a botanical garden. It also parades a number of rare, wild, domestic and interesting animals such as lions, the spotted hyena, rock python, civet, bush tail and crested porcupine, camels, Nile crocodile, giant tortoises, chimpanzees, baboons and a collection of monkey species. Other birds include pea fowls, ostriches, white geese, crowned crane, white-faced whistling birds and Marabou storks.
During festive periods, the zoo is a beehive of activities as visitors and fun seekers, young and old, in Edo and neighbouring states troop in to catch a glimpse of the animals and have a feel of the milieu. Visitors enjoy horse, camel and donkey rides and take photographs to keep memories alive. Many a visitor is usually welcomed by the hee-haws of donkeys and the chirping birds in the serene environment.
Ogba Zoo also enjoys the patronage of international tourists, with a straight drive from the Benin Airport located on the same route. It is also a rich source of first-hand information for researchers both within and outside the shores of the country. The botanical garden has a collection which includes the Iroko, Raphia and Mohogany trees in addition to other trees that have become the dwelling places of various species of birds.
As one would expect, such patronage requires an even amount of facilities to sustain the management of park.
The park has extensive landscaped grounds, picnic areas and children’s playground for kids on excursions with diverse new equipment. With functional halls, restaurant, outdoor event grounds, picnic and camping spots, large car park, conveniences, in-door and out-door games, the Ogba Zoo and Park caters for all categories of fun lovers and holiday makers.
The park is also the favourite of those who desire an ideal place for solemn meditation and physical exercise, like fitness walk with fresh air. In the vicinity also seats a gallery and arts shop called the Africana Arts and Craft Shop. In the place, lovers of arts and craft could feast their eyes on various pieces on display. The strategically located arts gallery also offers a picturesque scene to the patrons of the park.
For Mrs. Esther Omorodion, one of the visitors to the park who spoke with SUNDAY PUNCH, the zoo offers more than what meets the eyes. “My family prefers to come here because it takes them away from the hustling and bustling of the city centre. My children get to see real wild animals and complement what they learn from television and school. They also do better in nature related subjects,” she said.
The Director and Chief Operating Officer of the zoo and Nature Park, Mr. Andy Ehanire, told SUNDAY PUNCH that although the zoo was initially established by the then Governor of old Bendel State, Brigadier-General Samuel Ogbemudia, as a low land forest reserve, it later became a biological reserve.
But the zoo has had its share of challenges. It once became moribund to the point that suggestions came from some quarters that the vast land should be divided for urban development and its rich tropical hardwood be harvested for commercial purposes. This led to the introduction of private management in 1999.
There is the challenge of land encroachment from community dwellers in the northern part of the park and erection of illegal structures, which were, however, later demolished by the state government. The zoo lacked access road prior to the construction of the Oko-Ogba road by the state government, under the Adams Oshiomhole administration in 2013. But that did not come without a major disaster experienced in the entire zoo and nature park.
There was a major flooding in the zoo caused by road construction works undertaken by a private construction company. Some road excavations carried out by the firm dislodged the large amount of flood which used to flow into the Ogba River and left most of the animals in the zoo in real danger.
Although the zoo management managed to put the facility in shape for the yuletide, when it receives the bulk of its visitors, it still maintains that much was expected from both the state government and the construction company.
“When the road was bad, it was a terrible experience. When the construction was going on, it was a terrible experience. In the final phase of completing the road, a major flood like never before was unleashed on the compound. Anyway, the road is for our benefit and the governor has delivered his promise on the road. So, we are happy,” he said.
“In the history of the zoo, even when it was thriving without any crisis, the zoo went into decline and collapsed under government, from the late 80s. By year 2000, we signed an agreement with the government. Three years into the intervention, there was a massive encroachment of the zoo land from the north end of the zoo in which half of the zoo land was levelled.
“Zoo keeping in Nigeria is not in our character. But nevertheless, in trying to reverse the initial decay, we did the correct housekeeping. We are making it safe again for children, excursions, social events, retreats and relaxation generally, including pilot schemes in sustainable use of nature’s resources,” Ehanire told our correspondent.
In spite of not being a full-fledged zoological garden, Ogba Zoo and Nature Park still prides itself as one of the best keepers of nature’s finest in the right ambience.
“We have the highest visitor shelter of any zoo in Nigeria. I’m sure there is no zoo that has up to 25 per cent of our visitor shelter.
“If one talks of the services we render, particularly to visitors during the holiday seasons, we have probably the most comprehensive entertainment package. If one wants to compare it with all the zoos even in our first phase of intervention,” he noted.
The management also plans to explore more of the potentials that the zoo presents to enable it compete favourably with international standard.Ogba Zoo and Nature Park in Benin, Edo State brings the exhilarating experience of wildlife to city dwellers, writes ALEXANDER OKERE
Sited in a place about seven kilometres from the ever-busy Ring Road area of Benin City is one of Edo State’s most popular recreational centres – the Ogba Zoo and Nature Park.
Established 43 years ago, the zoo occupies a vast piece of land spanning 750 acres owned by the state ministry of environment and privately managed by BENZOPA, a non-governmental organisation specialising in eco-tourism and bio-diversity management.
The expansive recreation centre is home to an array of wildlife and a botanical garden. It also parades a number of rare, wild, domestic and interesting animals such as lions, the spotted hyena, rock python, civet, bush tail and crested porcupine, camels, Nile crocodile, giant tortoises, chimpanzees, baboons and a collection of monkey species. Other birds include pea fowls, ostriches, white geese, crowned crane, white-faced whistling birds and Marabou storks.
During festive periods, the zoo is a beehive of activities as visitors and fun seekers, young and old, in Edo and neighbouring states troop in to catch a glimpse of the animals and have a feel of the milieu. Visitors enjoy horse, camel and donkey rides and take photographs to keep memories alive. Many a visitor is usually welcomed by the hee-haws of donkeys and the chirping birds in the serene environment.
Ogba Zoo also enjoys the patronage of international tourists, with a straight drive from the Benin Airport located on the same route. It is also a rich source of first-hand information for researchers both within and outside the shores of the country. The botanical garden has a collection which includes the Iroko, Raphia and Mohogany trees in addition to other trees that have become the dwelling places of various species of birds.
As one would expect, such patronage requires an even amount of facilities to sustain the management of park.
The park has extensive landscaped grounds, picnic areas and children’s playground for kids on excursions with diverse new equipment. With functional halls, restaurant, outdoor event grounds, picnic and camping spots, large car park, conveniences, in-door and out-door games, the Ogba Zoo and Park caters for all categories of fun lovers and holiday makers.
The park is also the favourite of those who desire an ideal place for solemn meditation and physical exercise, like fitness walk with fresh air. In the vicinity also seats a gallery and arts shop called the Africana Arts and Craft Shop. In the place, lovers of arts and craft could feast their eyes on various pieces on display. The strategically located arts gallery also offers a picturesque scene to the patrons of the park.
For Mrs. Esther Omorodion, one of the visitors to the park who spoke with SUNDAY PUNCH, the zoo offers more than what meets the eyes. “My family prefers to come here because it takes them away from the hustling and bustling of the city centre. My children get to see real wild animals and complement what they learn from television and school. They also do better in nature related subjects,” she said.
The Director and Chief Operating Officer of the zoo and Nature Park, Mr. Andy Ehanire, told SUNDAY PUNCH that although the zoo was initially established by the then Governor of old Bendel State, Brigadier-General Samuel Ogbemudia, as a low land forest reserve, it later became a biological reserve.
But the zoo has had its share of challenges. It once became moribund to the point that suggestions came from some quarters that the vast land should be divided for urban development and its rich tropical hardwood be harvested for commercial purposes. This led to the introduction of private management in 1999.
There is the challenge of land encroachment from community dwellers in the northern part of the park and erection of illegal structures, which were, however, later demolished by the state government. The zoo lacked access road prior to the construction of the Oko-Ogba road by the state government, under the Adams Oshiomhole administration in 2013. But that did not come without a major disaster experienced in the entire zoo and nature park.
There was a major flooding in the zoo caused by road construction works undertaken by a private construction company. Some road excavations carried out by the firm dislodged the large amount of flood which used to flow into the Ogba River and left most of the animals in the zoo in real danger.
Although the zoo management managed to put the facility in shape for the yuletide, when it receives the bulk of its visitors, it still maintains that much was expected from both the state government and the construction company.
“When the road was bad, it was a terrible experience. When the construction was going on, it was a terrible experience. In the final phase of completing the road, a major flood like never before was unleashed on the compound. Anyway, the road is for our benefit and the governor has delivered his promise on the road. So, we are happy,” he said.
“In the history of the zoo, even when it was thriving without any crisis, the zoo went into decline and collapsed under government, from the late 80s. By year 2000, we signed an agreement with the government. Three years into the intervention, there was a massive encroachment of the zoo land from the north end of the zoo in which half of the zoo land was levelled.
“Zoo keeping in Nigeria is not in our character. But nevertheless, in trying to reverse the initial decay, we did the correct housekeeping. We are making it safe again for children, excursions, social events, retreats and relaxation generally, including pilot schemes in sustainable use of nature’s resources,” Ehanire told our correspondent.
In spite of not being a full-fledged zoological garden, Ogba Zoo and Nature Park still prides itself as one of the best keepers of nature’s finest in the right ambience.
Schoolchildren during a visit to the zoo
“We have the highest visitor shelter of any zoo in Nigeria. I’m sure there is no zoo that has up to 25 per cent of our visitor shelter.
“If one talks of the services we render, particularly to visitors during the holiday seasons, we have probably the most comprehensive entertainment package. If one wants to compare it with all the zoos even in our first phase of intervention,” he noted.
The management also plans to explore more of the potentials that the zoo presents to enable it compete favourably with international standard.
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