The Pretoria Zoo today said it had insured that security measures have been increased in the wake of two crimes committed in its proximity.
"We are aware of two cases of crime-related incidents involving visitors outside the Zoo and all measures are in place to avoid any further possible incidents," Zoo spokesman Craig Allenby said in a statement.
His comments came in response to an advisory issued by the United States embassy on Friday cautioning its citizens to avoid the tourist attraction due to safety concerns.
In the advisory, the embassy said that there had been "a number of armed robberies committed recently against visitors to the Pretoria Zoo.
"Due to these events the... mission to South Africa advises US citizens to avoid visiting the Pretoria Zoo until the security
situation at the zoo improves," the embassy said.
Allenby said it was "unfortunate" that the Zoo was singled out regarding crime.
He said that police and metro police had increased their patrols in the area as a result of crime concerns.
He said that security measures inside the zoo included security patrols, CCTV cameras and secure parking.
"However, the National Zoo does caution visitors to be vigilant with their belongings as you would anywhere in the world."
Friday's advisory also cautioned Americans travelling in South Africa to be "vigilant in protecting themselves from violent crimes while in South Africa as assaults, armed robberies and other crimes were prevalent around hotels, tourist attractions and public
transportation centres in major cities."
Sapa