The National Zoo Director, Alfonso Ferreira, interviewed by El Siglo, said that the Zoo is danger of closing because of the reproductive problems of the animals it exhibits. Newborn animals die within hours due to the consanguinity of their parents. If measures are not taken to assure their safe reproduction, the animals will all die out, he said. Animals, such as rhinoceros, Asiatic buffalo, zebra, and hippopotamus, among others, that do not immediately perish have been born with severe deformities. Until new stock can be acquired, Ferreira is trying to ensure that animals do not mate with their parents, grandparents and siblings. There are plans to repopulate the Zoo with elephants, giraffes, camels, and antelopes, are species that are represented by only one animal each surviving from the eleven individuals present when the zoo was opened on July 5, 1975. According to the El Siglo article, the Zoo currently houses 1,691 animals, of which 125 are mammals, 125 are birds, and 723 are reptiles. The Zoo’s annual budget of RD$11 million provides care for 5 zebras, five hippos, three rhinos, 14 deer, three antelope, 20 mountain goats, five lions, seven tigers, jaguars, ostriches, parrots, peacocks, iguanas, crocodiles, spider monkeys, capuchin monkeys, lemurs, chimpanzees, and a host of other species.
