Latest update April 2nd, 2025 8:00 AM
Latest News
Preparatory works for petting zoo commence
Though, in its preparatory stage Guyana Zoological Park’s petting zoo is already attracting visitors, especially children.
According to Adonika Spellen, Senior Supervisor of Guyana Zoological Park, the main objective of this project is to allow greater appreciation for animals and create the distinction between domestic and wild animals.
“It would be an educational area also we’re trying to package as the children’s area for the zoological part. We would have stories about the animals to sensitise people not to abuse the animals,” she said.
Children captivated by the ducks in the area outlined for the petting zoo.
The idea of the petting zoo was conceived by Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) Mr. Damian Fernandes and is part of a master plan for the zoo.
She said construction of the petting zoo has commenced with the erection of timber revetment, and a caged pond housing ducks is already fitted neatly in the children’s play area near the Nature House.
The design of the petting zoo entails turnstiles in the front and stables at the back providing an escape for animals. Spellen said the petting zoo would provide visitors the opportunity of interacting with various domestic animals including ducks, goats, cows, and donkeys.
“The children would get a chance to feed the animals, especially the ducks with feed provided by the zoo in small cups for a small fee,” she added.
Interaction with animals at the zoo is currently prohibited since a majority of them are considered to be wild.
Spellen said most of the animals on exhibition at the zoo were rescued and cannot be treated as pets. As such, the zoo serves as a sanctuary for injured wild animals.
“If they were released back into the wild they would have died by natural selection,” she added.
According to Spellen, she is unsure when the construction of the actual petting zoo would begin and the final cost for the project.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
When silence speaks louder than words
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The United States has spoken. Reacting to the conviction of Marine Le Pen in a French... more
Weekend Cartoon
