Took the bus from central Funchal to the Jardim Botanica having been to the excellent Monte Garden earlier in the week.
The Jardim Botanica is disappointing on almost all levels, nowhere near as good as Monte.
The paths are in a poor state of repair and are quite dangerous in places.
Most concerning however are the conditions in which the birds in the "exotic bird garden" are being kept. Small, decrepit cages with no greenery, just an old dead branch. Concrete flooring, only a small quantity of seed and little or no water for them.
There are also some turtles that have a pool with little water which could best be described as a sludge. A large tortoise in the same area paced along the fence looking so depressed, again no fresh water.
Absolutely no thought or care has gone into animal welfare. Needs a complete revamp or close it down.
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