Kenny Benjamin's vision for Hope Zoo

Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

As a child, the young Kenneth Benjamin loved animals, so it's no surprise that, as an adult, he is devoted to their care and well-being. And six months ago, the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself. The Guardsman Group of Companies' founder and chairman has offered to help to restore the Hope Zoo to its former glory by taking over the work of the foundation established seven years ago.

The National Wildlife Foundation has a 50-year lease on the zoo, but because of financial constraints, Benjamin was asked to take over its management through a subleasing arrangement for the next 43 years. "I took up the challenge six months ago," Benjamin told Outlook in an interview last week. He said he has had 30 professional masons, carpenters, and other labourers working seven days a week and they have finally begun to see some progress.

"We have so far spent $50 million of my own resources and time and I am there every day to personally supervise the work," Benjamin said. But he revealed that the project needs some half a billion dollars to get to completion. When the project is complete, Benjamin envisions the finest zoo in this hemisphere. The animals expected to populate the zoo include flamingos, lions and other cats, large and small monkeys, baboons, exotic non-venomous snakes and other reptiles, miniature horses and more. Already, there are some new macaws and snakes at the zoo.

Independence wish

"I hope that the major part of the refurbishing and restoration will be ready for Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence celebrations. So, starting now, something at the zoo will be ready every month," Benjamin revealed.

Another important element at the zoo will be its partnership with the Government to position Hope Zoo as an educational facility, where students can come for research through audio-visual and other interactive means. There are also plans afoot to lend and trade animals with zoos throughout the world. "If we are going to have a zoo, we must have a proper zoo. Standards must be maintained and we must meet the guidelines for at least the minimum requirements for zoos globally," Benjamin said emphatically.

So looking to the future, Hope Zoo will, like others, be a place where endangered species can be bred under supervision and children can be taught to be kind to animals. Schools will also be able to use the facility as an outdoor teaching classroom. It will have a petting area and, most important, the zoo will once again become the place where families go to bond.

"It will be a wholesome environment with the relevant commercial activities, including a restaurant, gift shop and designated party areas."

The plans also include giant-size aquariums, some 70 enclosures, huge tanks to showcase marine life because large fish are a good attraction. The University of Technology has already expressed its desire to partner with Benjamin and his team in its upcoming veterinary science degree. And exciting things are happening with the indigenous Jamaican iguana. But more on that next week.

Realising the vision

Having taken the project thus far, Benjamin said he now needs others to join him in realising his vision for the Hope Zoo.

"I would like corporate and civic Jamaica to grasp the huge opportunities to partner with us. We expect more than 350,000 people to pass through the zoo annually, that is tremendously more than the 60,000 who do now. Businesses should be grasping these opportunities now as it will mean more tourists to the city in the long run," Benjamin said, adding that volunteers would be needed.

The rest of the facility, such as Coconut Park, will continue to operate. There will be the usual concerts, but at a distance away that will not disturb the animals. Benjamin said that so far, the response from prospective business people has been positive. There will also be an opportunity to "adopt an enclosure" with the animals in it.

Also to come are a website launch, a formalised friends of the zoo, and membership packages.

Read next week's Outlook for a chat with curator Orlando Robinson.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com