Petting Zoo is Government’s gift to Guyana’s children - Minister Persaud
Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2015, Source - GINA
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud and his family, along with Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission, Damian Fernandes, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the commissioning of the Petting Zoo.
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, today, officially cut the symbolic ribbon, to commission the Petting Zoo.
Fostered by the Three-Parks Initiative, the facility, located in the National Zoological Park, Vlissengen Road, was commissioned with the hope of enhancing biodiversity conservation, in urban areas for the protection of ‘green spaces’.
At the commissioning ceremony, Minister Persaud thanked all those who contributed toward making the Petting Zoo a reality.
“What we seek to do is to create a family and friendly environment for children, so they can interact more, and understand the rich biological diversity Guyana has, and having a greater appreciation for the flora and fauna.”
Minister Persaud added that the facility also serves to develop a level of awareness on how important it is to care, respect and have an interest in what Guyana has.
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, and other visitors, viewing the duck pond at the zoo.
Acknowledging the fact that when the concept was first reported on, there was a high level of misunderstanding and uncertainty of what the facility would be and attract, he said, “…gradually many who came to the zoo and recognised that we needed to do more, appreciated here, what we were seeking to do.”
He pointed out that plans are on stream for enhancing the bird-watching trail and other facilities, on the eastern side of the zoo.
However, in moving forward with these plans, Minister Persaud called on corporate Guyana, to get involved, as their assistance in greatly needed. A call was also made for citizens to guard the new facilities to come later.
Minister Robert Persaud interacting with children, while viewing some animals of the petting zoo.
In the meantime, he stated that the zoo’s administration would be doing its lot, in terms of guarding the facility, with the installation of more security cameras.
Meanwhile, this new facility, which allows persons to have close interaction with some animals, is open to the public free of cost.
However, it is expected that the facility will contribute to its own upkeep, through rental for children’s birthday parties and reduced food costs, from visitors who will be buying snacks to feed the animals. The petting zoo features ducks, donkeys, goats, cows, rabbits and chickens.
In addition, as the development of the facility continues, patrons, can in the near future, expect more species of animal, coming from as far as Africa.
According to Minister Persaud, a zoo-to-zoo exchange has been signed, which will see the zoo’s forward thrust in becoming home to animals from Africa and Asia. Currently, works are ongoing on the holding facilities for these animals. These new developments are expected to boost the number of visitors to the facility. The number currently stands at 10,000 people per month.
The Zoological Park dates back to 1952 and affords locals and tourists alike, the chance to experience a diverse animal collection, in a safe and accessible environment.
It occupies approximately four acres of land and serves as a shelter for abandoned and abused animals.
This facility also provides a spectrum for educational and recreational facilities, serving to highlight information on and encouragement for the admiration for wildlife in Guyana.
Thank you.