Located in the heart of the coal city, as Enugu state is fondly called, the zoological garden was 1.72 miles away from the government house and right behind the old governor’s lodge. It used to be one of the green areas in the state capital. But it was a fast-developing bourgeois settlement, and the zoo sat in that prime location. It also shares a fence with the 82 Division of the Nigeria Army barracks and is surrounded by posh residential estates. Hence, all eyes were on the massive land with rich rainforests.
Following the zoo’s closure, a former worker who demanded anonymity told TheCable that the animals were relocated to Nsukka, a university town, the forests were cleared, and the land was transformed into an upscale estate.
“Then, the government began to allocate the land to some of its top officials and wealthy people in the state. They were the ones who could afford the cost of the land. It’s within the Government Reserved Area (GRA). Initially, it was called Zoo Estate. But it was later renamed Ekulu East Estate so that it would no longer be associated with the former zoo,” the official said.
Two signboards at the front of the estate warn visitors to beware of their activities. Stern-looking security officers only let visitors enter the area with proper identification. A tour of the large and quiet estate shows nothing left of the zoo after its conversion about two decades ago. The cages and wildlife sanctuaries have been replaced with luxury homes and hotels.
To immortalise the former occupants of the estate, streets were named after animals whose natural habitats were destroyed to create room for humans to build theirs. From the Ogui roundabout, you can access the estate through Peacock Drive. Then, you move to Lion Avenue, Tiger Street, Eagle Street, Flamingo Street, Leopard Street, Crown Bird Street, Zebra Close, Giraffe Street, Fox Street, Dolphin Street, and Penguin Close.
