Shame on you, Grönklitt! Shame on you, Orsa! Shame on you, Sweden!

6.11.2022 by Patricia Roberts, Photos by Johanna Berglund

Mervi: We will remember the 6th of November 2022 as the Black Sunday. The Orsa Predator Park is just a memory. Patricia has written how she feels about it and I’m sure we all share her feelings!

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When Orsa was constructed for the Animals of the Cold, it offered to every animal and zoo lover the possibility to visualize a wonderful park. It was an almost perfect imitation of these animals’ natural habitat. Even though they were living in captivity, it gave them only benefits: no natural enemies, spacious enclosures, sufficient hiding spots, decent food, and if required medical aid. For not forgetting to mention loving keepers.

For years, each animal that could find a living place there was called “a lucky one”. But now, all hopes, expectations and dreams turned into an awful nightmare because of money.

I feel so sorry for all the people who have been working with and for these animals. They must be devastated because they know that in the end, there will be solely loss (and not only for their job).

But the only true tragedy is reserved for the animals. Luckily, they are only living day by day and are thus not aware of what is coming upon them. Even though we know that efforts will be made to find “second homes”, it will not work for the majority and their future can be summarized in three words: we once existed.

For the others, more visible and more attractive ones, maybe a second home zoo can be found. Their new enclosures can never be hardly comparable to the ones they knew and then I am not even mentioning the possibility to enjoy their right climate conditions (snow included).

I am not gullible and I know that these animals will adapt to the new living conditions, because they have no other choice, but to what price! And nobody will ever hear their lament. It makes my heart bleed.

Mervi’s note: Once again I want to thank all the ‘activists’ who did what they could to save this fantastic park.

Once again I must express my disappointment about the politicians, people and companies in Orsa. Just saying ‘It’s sad’ without lifting a finger to help the animals to keep their home is a disgrace! I hope your bad conscience will haunt you – although I doubt you have a conscience.