Director of Dushanbe Zoo sacked

Mahmadali Sharipov was relieved of his post of Director of the Dushanbe Zoo yesterday afternoon for shortcomings revealed in his work.

Marouf Toshev, formerly employee with the Dushanbe Zoo, was appointed to head it.  

“Most likely, Sharipov was fired following complaint of citizens after death of two animals – a deer and an ostrich,” the Zoo employees told Asia-Plus in an interview. 

Meanwhile, an official source within the Dushanbe Administration says they are currently developing a plan of construction of a new zoo on the outskirts of the capital.  

Recall, Dushanbe Mayor Rustam Emomali in March this year ordered to improve local Zoo conditions.  Following applications by citizens, a working group of the Dushanbe Administration has inspected the Dushanbe Zoo conditions.  The group has revealed a number of shortcomings in work of Zoo employees as well as problems related to sanitation failure in the Zoo.  

In total, 985 animals of 135 species are reportedly now kept in the Dushanbe Zoo.  50 people now work for the Dushanbe Zoo, and only 32 of them are specialists.   

Founded in 1961, the zoo is located in the center of the city on the Luchob River bank (on Ismoili Somoni Avenue).  By 1974, with 1059 animals of 254 species, Dushanbe Zoo was regarded as one of the best zoos in the Soviet Union.  Until the breakdown of the Soviet Union and independence in 1991, the zoo was considered one of the best sightseeing attractions in Dushanbe.  The number of animals was great and diverse.  National independence in 1991, followed by a civil war lasting until 1997, posed a great threat to the zoo in terms of the loss of species and economic hardship.  Public financing was no longer available to the extent it was before.

Dushanbe Zoo has been member of the Eurasian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 2007.