- The eThekwini Municipality has called for donations to feed animals at the zoo and bird park.
- There are only supplies to feed animals for the next few days.
- This comes as Durban residents queue for groceries and fuel.
As Durban faces fuel and food shortages, the eThekwini Municipality has called for donations to feed the animals at the Umgeni River Bird Park and Mitchell Park Zoo.
Days of unrest have resulted in limited supplies in the metro, and on Wednesday motorists and shoppers were seen queuing at petrol stations and grocery stores, flocking to the few businesses unaffected by the unrest.
Long queues were seen at shops in Morningside, La Lucia, Umgeni Park, Durban North and Overport, with groceries rationed to prevent panic buying. Petrol stations in the city have closed en masse. Tankers transporting fuel have been pulled from the roads amid the violence.
The municipality has called for donations to ensure animals in its care are kept fed, warning that facilities may run out of food within days.
"In light of the current unrest, the City is taking reasonable precautions to ensure there is sufficient food for animals at the uMgeni Bird Park (sic) and Mitchell Park Zoo. These facilities only have adequate food for the next few days," the municipality said in a statement.
"The municipality is calling on members of the public to donate perishable food items, vegetables and other food to help sustain the animals at the zoo and bird park. The City is grateful to [members of] the public who have already donated items and encourages further donations."
Donations can be dropped off at the Umgeni River Bird Park or the Parks District Office in Morningside.
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