Jul 1, 2016

After 140 years in operation, the Buenos Aires Zoo in Argentina’s capital plans to move almost all of its 1,500 animals to natural reserves.

The 44-acre zoo in the will become an ecopark for refuge and rehabilitation of animals rescued from illegal trafficking.

: A baby monkey stands inside a cage at the former Buenos Aires Zoo in Argentina, Friday, July 1, 2016. The city government announced it will transform the city’s zoo into an ecological park, for a limited number of species, and will begin with the transfer of birds of prey to natural reserves. Their plan to also transform the current site into a conservation and research site will take years while veterinarians decide which animals can be transferred to local reserves and abroad. Those who stay at the ecological park will live in what officials describe as much better conditions. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

: In this Dec. 22, 2014, file photo, Sandra the orangutan sits in her enclosure at Buenos Aires’ Zoo in Argentina. The mayor of Argentina’s capital Horacio Rodriguez Larreta said Thursday, June 23, 2016, that the zoo will be turned into an ecological park and that it will gradually relocate most of its 1,500 animals to sanctuaries in Argentina and abroad because they are not living in adequate conditions. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File)

: Ticket booths stand shuttered at the former Buenos Aires Zoo in Argentina, Friday, July 1, 2016. The city government announced last week it will transform the city’s zoo into an ecological park for a limited number of species, and will begin with the transfer of birds of prey to natural reserves. Their plan to also transform the current site into a conservation and research facility will take years while veterinarians decide which animals can be transferred to local reserves and abroad. Those who stay at the ecological park will live in what officials describe as much better conditions. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

: An elephant named “Pupi” throws dirt on her body inside the former Buenos Aires Zoo in Argentina, Friday, July 1, 2016. The city government announced it will transform the city’s zoo into an ecological park, for a limited number of species, and will begin with the transfer of birds of prey to natural reserves. Their plan to also transform the current site into a conservation and research site will take years while veterinarians decide which animals can be transferred to local reserves and abroad. Those who stay at the ecological park will live in what officials describe as much better conditions. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

: An elephant named “Pupi” swishes his tail inside the former Buenos Aires Zoo, Argentina, Friday, July 1, 2016. The city government announced last week it will transform the city’s zoo into an ecological park for a limited number of species, and will begin with the transfer of birds of prey to natural reserves. Their plan to also transform the current site into a conservation and research facility will take years while veterinarians decide which animals can be transferred to local reserves and abroad. Those who stay at the ecological park will live in what officials describe as much better conditions. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

: Partial view of Buenos Aires Zoo on June 24, 2016. The zoo will temporary close to become an ecological park. / (AFP Photo/Juan Mabromata)

: Monkeys stand inside a cage at the former Buenos Aires Zoo in Argentina, Friday, July 1, 2016. The city government announced last week it will transform the city’s zoo into an ecological park for a limited number of species, and will begin with the transfer of birds of prey to natural reserves. Their plan to also transform the current site into a conservation and research facility will take years while veterinarians decide which animals can be transferred to local reserves and abroad. Those who stay at the ecological park will live in what officials describe as much better conditions. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

: The canopy of trees of Buenos Aires Zoo on June 24, 2016. The zoo will temporary close to become an ecological park. / (AFP Photo/Juan Mabromata)

: Giraffes are seen at Buenos Aires Zoo on June 24, 2016. The zoo will temporary close to become an ecological park. / (AFP Photo/Juan Mabromata)

: A giraffe is seen at Buenos Aires Zoo on June 24, 2016. The zoo will temporary close to become an ecological park. / (AFP Photo/Juan Mabromata)

: A hippo is seen at Buenos Aires Zoo on June 24, 2016. The zoo will temporary close to become an ecological park. / (AFP Photo/Juan Mabromata)

: An orangutan named “Sandra,” photographed through a window, sits inside a cage at the former Buenos Aires Zoo in Argentina, Friday, July 1, 2016. The city government announced it will transform the city’s zoo into an ecological park for a limited number of species, and will begin with the transfer of birds of prey to natural reserves. Their plan to also transform the current site into a conservation and research facility will take years while veterinarians decide which animals can be transferred to local reserves and abroad. Those who stay at the ecological park will live in what officials describe as much better conditions. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

: A hippo is seen at Buenos Aires Zoo on June 24, 2016. The zoo will temporary close to become an ecological park. / (AFP Photo/Juan Mabromata)

: A rhino is seen at Buenos Aires Zoo on June 24, 2016. The zoo will temporary close to become an ecological park. / (AFP Photo/Juan Mabromata)

: Partial view of Buenos Aires Zoo on June 24, 2016. The zoo will temporary close to become an ecological park. / (AFP Photo/Juan Mabromata)

: A Patagonian mara (Dolichotis patagonum) is seen at Buenos Aires Zoo on June 24, 2016. The zoo will temporary close to become an ecological park. / (AFP Photo/Juan Mabromata)

: Partial view of Buenos Aires Zoo on June 24, 2016. The zoo will temporary close to become an ecological park. / (AFP Photo/Juan Mabromata)

: An owl named “Distinto” flies to her trainer inside a park as part of the birds daily exercise routine outside a cage at the former Buenos Aires Zoo, Argentina, Friday, July 1, 2016. The city government announced it will transform the city’s zoo into an ecological park for a limited number of species, and will begin with the transfer of birds of prey to natural reserves. Their plan to also transform the current site into a conservation and research facility will take years while veterinarians decide which animals can be transferred to local reserves and abroad. Those who stay at the ecological park will live in what officials describe as much better conditions. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

: A bear sits on a branch inside the former Buenos Aires Zoo in Argentina, Friday, July 1, 2016. The city government announced it will transform the city’s zoo into an ecological park for a limited number of species, and will begin with the transfer of birds of prey to natural reserves. Their plan to also transform the current site into a conservation and research facility will take years while veterinarians decide which animals can be transferred to reserves locally and abroad. Those who stay at the ecological park will live in what officials describe as much better conditions. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Buenos Aires zoo closes after 140 years