The zoo is located in Croatia, has been operating since 1924

Mar 17, 2014 08:14 GMT  ·  By

The Split Science Museum and Zoo in Split, Croatia is expected to soon close and have the animals that currently reside here transferred to other facilities.

Media reports say that this zoo opened back in 1924, and, as of 2006, it is home to some 450 animals belonging to about 55 different species.

The trouble is that, according to people who have recently visited the facility, the animals at the Split Science Museum and Zoo are not in the least properly looked after.

On the contrary, it is said that they are forced to live in small cages that could sure use some cleaning, and that, consequently, they all look a wee depressed.

In fact, Daily Mail tells us that, as pointed out by a visitor, referring to the Split Science Museum and Zoo in Croatia as the “worst in the world” would not be all that far-fetched.

“The zoo in Split is located at the very top of the Marjan Hill, unfortunately on the top of the hill you will find a very sad place and tears may easily wet your eyes.”

“There is a small range of animals including bears, wolves, donkeys and monkeys. Some of the cages are ridiculously small and animals do not look happy at all,” a visitor reportedly said.

“The tiger's cage was also really small, but no tiger was present, maybe he was inside what looked like a nightmarish doghouse with tiny windows. All in all, a terrible experience.”

“You don't get even close to a feeling of visiting nature, instead it looks like a tiny and filthy prison. This zoo is an utter disgrace. I do not get how it is still open,” another one added.

Needless to say, animal rights activists have for some time now been trying to force the zoo's management into closing the facility and relocating the animals.

In a recent interview with the press, Goran Kovacevic, Split's current deputy mayor, said that the zoo was to close precisely because of its failure to provide the animals in its care with appropriate living conditions.

Goran Kovacevic further detailed that some of the animals were to be transferred to other zoos currently open in Croatia, and that the monkeys would be sent to Germany.

For the time being, it is unclear what will happen to a 14-year-old tiger now living as this facility.

Once the zoo closes and the animals are relocated, the facility is expected to be turned into a recreational park that will include a playground and a botanic garden.