The Ain Sebaâ Zoo. All Casablanca residents talk about it or rather deplore its foul odours, its state of disrepair and especially the critical state of the animals. The latter are almost left to abandonment. The veterinarian responsible for the place is always absent. On site, apart from the ticket seller and the guard at the door, there is no one responsible to explain this disastrous situation or even give information. Faced with this observation, a group of young Casablanca residents and animal and environment lovers decided to defend these creatures abandoned in a "dying place" of the economic capital. Gathered within "Citizens of the World... United for the protection of animals", a non-profit organisation, more than 1,000 members work to raise citizens' awareness about the conservation of animal and plant biodiversity. "Our objective is to make the voice of those who have none heard by mobilising the general public," they indicate.

For them, as for all the people who visit the so-called zoological park, it is a shame. Admittedly, several families go there, especially on weekends, but the place does not really invite a walk. For years, the Ain Sebaâ Zoo has been neglected. From the entrance, an air of decay welcomes the visitor. "The entrance fee being set at 1DH per child and 2 DH per adult, it becomes obvious that with such a budget, the management of the park is of the most precarious," underlines the list of demands of the organisation. Worse, most of the cages are empty. Those where there are animals, one finds garbage as well as other occupants like seagulls and rats. "We noticed the non-existence of guards who take care of the animals as well as the maintenance of the park and who must be vigilant about the conduct of visitors," indicates "Citizens of the World... United for the protection of animals". Another most distressing observation, the animals are starving, thin, clinging all day to the bars, waiting for one of the visitors to throw them food. "Some animals like this little bear have made friends with visitors.

Regulars of the zoo come every weekend to give him pieces of sugar. He has developed a special method to look for sugar among all the waste that surrounds his cage," confides a woman in her forties who lives near the zoological park. For "Citizens of the World... United for the protection of animals", this space has become "a kingdom of sadness and desolation. The sadness of the apathetic look of the animals and the distressing state of the facilities". The organisation is again sounding the alarm to save this zoo offering a very sad spectacle. Let us recall that citizens, media and animal protection associations have always reported the inhumane conditions in which the animals are kept. However, the City Council turns a deaf ear. Would a high-level intervention be needed to put an end to the suffering of these mute creatures?

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Opinion of the specialist: Salma Aghouchy, president of the group "Citizens of the World... united for the protection of animals"

"We demand regular cleaning and maintenance of the premises"

"Why did you create 'Citizens of the World... united for the protection of animals'?"

I thought the zoo had been closed for years, but when I entered it, by coincidence, I was shocked first of all by the prices (2 DH). I was overwhelmed by a skeletal lion that had been dead for days. It had holes in its eyes without any official noticing. So, I decided to save this space.

"What are your demands?"

We demand regular cleaning and maintenance of the premises with the installation of informative signs, a visitor path and kiosks for sellers. Better hygiene of the zoo is necessary to safeguard its biodiversity and the well-being of the animals.

What actions have you taken to save the zoo?

We launched a media campaign and an online petition. We also sent letters to the High Commissioner for Water and Forests, the mayor of Casablanca and the Minister of the Environment. We filed a list of demands with the Regional Office of Water and Forests.

"What are your projects?"

We plan to distribute awareness flyers and organise open days at the park in collaboration with primary schools and orphanages in order to launch a redevelopment campaign. Our organisation hopes to find patrons to finance these actions. If the zoo management allows it, we are ready to rally volunteers in order to improve the conditions of the zoo via the Internet and educational programmes.