Many activities planned as Dusit Zoo turns 80

The Nation

 

By Photo and story by Prasert Thepsri 

 

To celebrate its 80th anniversary, Bangkok’s Dusit Zoo will host various special activities, including the introduction of its new addition – a Nyala calf – this weekend, zoo director Pitak Ounsorn said on Thursday.
 

Besides the presentation of a newborn calf of the spiral-horned antelope pair, the zoo also would host an exhibition about its 80th anniversary and impart knowledge about animals besides holding a quiz with many attractive prizes on offer.

 

It also will organise a walk rally when visitors would have animal feeding demonstrations at various display areas, Pitak said, adding those holding the government’s welfare cards for low-income earners could present the document to waive the entrance fee.

 

Before Dusit Zoo was opened to the public in 1938, it was a private zoo of King Rama V, who ordered its construction in 1895 and named it Khao Din Vana, a name commonly known among Thais until today. This zoo holds around 1,000 animals and attracts 2 million visitors a year, generating Bt130 million in annual income.

 

The Zoological Park Organisation is moving this established zoo – an undertaking that generally takes about three years – from the current location in downtown Bangkok to a 300-rai property in the Khlong Hok area of Pathum Thani province’s Thanyaburi district.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30340986

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-15

Would any of these plans include a newer higher price for tourists?

Not a big fan of zoos unless their absolute priority is animal research and welfare. Moving out of Bangkok to a, presumably larger natural site sounds good on the face of it.