NEPA Not Backing Down

Representatives from the National Environment and Planning Agency, NEPA say the entity was precise in its decision to issue the notice of closure to Jamaica Zoo. NEPA says the notice comes on the heels of several warnings which were given to the zoo regarding the breaches. Amid concerns of the reopening of the attraction, NEPA says the onus is on Jamaica Zoo to rectify the situation. 

“It is a process!” the National Environment and Planning Agency is actively standing by its decision to close the Jamaica Zoo. On Monday, the zoo received a notice of intention to suspend, for breaches of its environmental permit. Since then, the zoo’s CEO and owner, Paul Fearon has raised concerns regarding the true motive behind the submission of the notice. 

In an interview Friday, Director of Legal and Enforcement at NEPA, Morjorn Wallock, says they have been monitoring Jamaica Zoo for some time. Wallock says on a routine examination at the zoo, the breaches were observed and action was taken to reprimand them. While there have been cries of a conflict of interest influencing the closure, Wallock says if a conflict was to arise, the entity would’ve handled that matter. 

NEPA notes that they have given the zoo ample notice prior to enforcing the closure.     

Reporter: Nasika Alliman