abidjan zoo
abidjan zoo, côte d'ivoire
From 2015 to 2017, Martin Broomfield worked at the Abidjan Zoo as a volunteer. He photographed all the animal exhibits and designed signs and information booklets for all the animals and worked on social media websites. Martin was also involved in designing and building enclosures for animals at the zoo.
Smuggling is a massive worldwide problem. Animals are illegally trafficked and many are stopped at the borders of countries, including Côte d’Ivoire. Martin was involved in rescuing and photographing animals (birds and mammals) that were being illegally trafficked outside the country. This included chimpanzees that had been kept as pets for many years within Côte d’Ivoire.
Through his volunteer experience at the zoo, Martin started to become involved in the SOS Ponso project, and Akatia, a project building a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees. Images taken at the Abidjan Zoo have been used on websites and press outlets around the world, including the cover by the BBC, on the plight of Nemley Junior, the baby chimpanzee, who smugglers attempted to sell outside Côte d’Ivoire.
Martin Broomfield, was a good friend to the zoo of Abidjan and friend of Calao. Thank you for your actions in the zoo and for our biodiversity in Côte d'Ivoire. Thank you for your availability in favour of Calao.
OMAR BILO KANTE