Costa Rican officials say they plan to close both of the country’s public zoos next year so that animals can be freed from their cages. But the foundation that runs the animal parks said Saturday it is trying to keep them operating.

Environment Minister Rene Castro announced in recent days that the 97-year-old Simon Bolivar zoo in central San Jose will become a botanical park next year. Another zoo west of the city, the Santa Ana Conservation Center, also would close. Together they hold 400 animals of 60 species, including a lion, crocodiles, monkeys and a tapir.

Source and More: http://akaahanterungwa.com/2013/08/04/costa-ricas-zoos-set-to-close-animals-to-be-returned-to-the-wild/