President of the Zoological Society of T&T Gupte Lutchmedial says temporary accommodation for vendors outside the Emperor Valley Zoo is being looked at. On Tuesday, the vendors staged a protest against the society's decision to prevent them from selling at the entrance of the zoo.
Wire fencing was erected in the area the vendors normally ply their trade and the vendors claimed that they were told that if they tried to sell their items, the police would be called in. The society said several visitors to the zoo had complained of being badgered by the vendors on arrival with children. On Tuesday, Lutchmedial said the decision was made in the best interest of the children.
Lutchmedial said yesterday that he spoke to one of the vendors, Theodora Ulerie, and the idea of a short-term solution to the vending issue was discussed. "On a short-term basis we may be able to accommodate one or two of the vendors on the compound itself," Lutchmedial said. He said on a medium-term basis the Society was looking at accommodating the vendors in the Zoo's car park. "On the long-term basis, the vendors would be accommodated when the upgrade of the zoo is completed," Lutchmedial said.
