This zoo have be to closed down soon due to mismanagement. Ironically, many others being proposed and waiting for approval from Ministry of Forestry. COP with the support from With Compassion and Soul is the only group In Indonesia who work directly to assist ex site conservation institutions to improve the welfare of the animals as well as campaigning to close down them that technically could not be improved. At least 12 zoos have been assisted and 4 zoos have been closed down.
Most zoos in Indonesia are wrongly managed in every level and facing serious problem with the animal welfare issues. Lacking technical capacity and corruption are among the key problems. The zoo investors, mostly local governments believe that zoo is good investment. In fact, it is a heavily cost industry. Several zoos are involved in illegal wildlife trade.
Kebun binatang Samarinda yang berada di jalur tol yang menghubungkan kota Balikpapan dengan Samarinda dibongkar paksa oleh Pemerintah Provinsi Kalimantan Timur pada 28 Maret 2017 yang lalu.
Ini berdampak pada satwa yang menghuni kebun binatang yang dikelola oleh PT Samarinda Golden Prima ini. Terdapat 7 Merak Hijau, 1 Jalak Bali, 3 Rangkong Putih, 8 Kakak Tua, 3 ekor Kangkareng, 8 Elang, 5 Burung Hantu, 3 Ayam Hutan, 3 Musang pandan, 2 Kijang, 2 Kucing Hutan, 1 Tarsius, 1 Macan Dahan, 3 Beruang Madu, 3 Orangutan, 8 Owa-owa, 1 Bulus dan 32 Buaya Muara.
Centre for Orangutan Protection bersama BKSDA SKW 1 Berau akan mengevakuasi sebagian satwa yang ada untuk direhabilitasi dan dilepasliarkan kembali ke habitatnya.