Barranquilla Zoo stages elections
By Manuel Rueda, Editorial Director
Monday, May 31, 2010
In an effort to teach kids about democracy, the Barranquilla zoo held its own “presidential” elections on Sunday.
Like in the real presidential contest, there was no photo-finish; Tony the White Tiger clearly beat the rest with 463 votes, followed by Pumba the Lion, a newcomer to the zoo, who got 273 votes.
Kids who entered the zoo Sunday were guided to each animal's cage, where they could read the candidate´s “proposals” on signs, which included characteristics like grace, beauty or strength.
Other candidates competing in the elections included Osungo, the Spectacled Bear and Shana the Guacamaya.
The Barranquilla zoo has been holding these contests on presidential election days since 1998, in an effort to promote environmental awareness, promote the zoo and introduce the concept of democracy to children.
Voting this year began at 9am Sunday and finalized at 5pm, with 1,110 children casting their ballots. 541 of them voted at the zoo, while 569 voted online.
Previous winners include Leoncio the Lion (1998) and Rebolo the Jaguar in 2006.
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