Animal parks are becoming increasingly popular with visitors to the region. But experts predict that most of the Algarve’s zoos will face serious financial difficulties trying to comply with recently introduced regulations. Cristina Simões from the Algarve’s Regional Agricultural Board claims that, “at least four zoological parks in the Algarve will have some difficulty in reaching the required stipulations laid out in the new law, which regulates the conservation of species, public education and scientific investigation”. The law, which came into effect on April 1, allows zoos a minimum of two years to adapt to the new requirements. But new parks only will be able to open their doors if they are seen to comply with the new regulations.
Simões was speaking during a conference organised by the University of the Algarve, designed to teach zoo owners about the new law. In spite of her warning about the problems ahead, Simões said that she was hopeful that the scientific commission that will check compliance with the new legislation would have a flexible attitude and take the circumstances of each park into consideration.
There are currently five registered zoological parks in the Algarve – Lagos Zoological Park, Zoomarine (Albufeira), Omega Park (Monchique), Krazy World (Silves) and Aquashow (Quarteira).
