The day we arrived in Buenos Aires our taxi driver told us the mayor had announced the closing of the Buenos Aires Zoo.  After 140 years of operation the objective was to set most of the captive animals free. As the city’s mayor, Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, explains, “This situation of captivity is degrading for the animals, it’s not the way to take care of them…What we have to value is the animals. The way they live here is definitely not the way to do that.”  The zoo is closed and  starting next month 2500 animals will be relocated to reserves around the country.  The zoo will be redesigned as an ecopark and reopen later this year.  It will house those animals that aren’t quite fit or able to be set free,animals salvaged from illegal trafficking so they can live akin to a sanctuary, and a place where the public including children can learn how to coexist with animals and create a sustainable world for all.     What do you think about that? -A