Georgetown: The $32 million Petting Zoo, which is overseen by The Protected Areas Commission, is expected to be completed before Christmas, Protected Areas Officer Annalise Bayney said.
The buildings have already been erected and fenced off awaiting finishing touches. This new addition will accommodate a duck pond, and areas for ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep, pigs and rabbits.
Additionally, there will also be a shop where visitors can purchase appropriate foods to feed the animals.
“A lot of persons want to feed animals when they come, and now they can, but only with approved food because if you feed the animals corn curls or anything, they can get sick,” Bayney told Guyana Times.
Additionally, Bayney mentioned that not much has been done to improve the conditions of the zoo since in the 1960s. Furthermore, she stated that there are numerous projects which need to be executed before the zoo can raise its standards.
However, she was eager to showcase all the work that has been done so far to enhance the environment. Bayney pointed to pathways leading through a few of the enclosures with docile animals which would provide the public with a different experience.
However, patrons would not be able to use those walkways without the guidance of tour guides. Another addition to the zoological park will be the zoo volunteers who will be acting as tour guides to assist visitors and share interesting details about the animals.
Amid these new additions, the zoological park is definitely demonstrating major improvements which can indeed make the environment more visitor-friendly.
Bayney stated that the Petting Zoo will be used as an “educational medium”, especially for the children. With this facility, she expects children to develop appreciation for animals and be taught to treat them with compassion.
Empathy for animals
“It will help us teach children empathy for animals, how not to be cruel to animals…. We need to treat them with love,” she declared.
She said another aim is to get people to know animals that can be used as pets and those which cannot.
In addition, many patrons were excited about this new addition and expressed anticipation for the opening.
“I think this will be good for the kids, it can be educational, and the kids will get to bond with the animals,” a tourist from Suriname told Guyana Times.
A local resident remarked: “I am so happy that they are improving the zoo, it really needed some upgrading. The petting zoo will be a great attraction for the kids, I’m sure they will love it.”
She said most of the animals are traded in or donated to the zoo, and will undergo rehabilitation.
“The donkeys at the zoo are all rescued animals. They were mistreated by previous owners and rescued by a citizen passionate about the mistreatment of animals. Both the adult donkeys were subjected to cruel conditions, coming into the zoo with open wounds and assorted cuts about their bodies… Upon successful treatment by our amazing zoo staff, both animals recovered and are healthy and happy now.”
Meanwhile, the World Wildlife Fund is working on setting up a turtle monument to raise awareness about the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (GMTCS).
The Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry and The Protected Areas Commission had signed a contract on January 28 for the construction of the Petting Zoo. According to Bayney, the zoo is totally funded by the Government of Guyana. Many modern zoological parks contained petting zoos, which are designed to allow persons to safely feed and physically interact with the animals, providing a contrast to the ordinary zoo experience.
