Guyana’s Zoological Park is set to undergo an upgrade, with plans to feature more animals and transform the zoo and the gardens into a family-friendly hub for learning and entertainment, according to Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.
The announcement of the zoo enhancement project was made by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday during his address at the 12th Parliament. The head-of-state had also disclosed that the project will be spearheaded by the Vice President.
During his recent press conference, Jagdeo said, “So, the zoo has been a sore point…this zoo has been languishing for a while.”
Giving some insights on what the project entails, the VP disclosed, “We’re thinking about a zoo [with] more animals in it, maybe a small tramcar to move the kids around, a big learning centre…they can go to a classroom type environment, learn more about the animals. Then they can have a nice, maybe dining area for children,” he shared.
In relation to the Botanical Gardens, Jagdeo explained that a portion of the garden leading to the Chinese Embassy would be repurposed without disturbing the natural habitat for the animals who nest there. He said the concept will give children more opportunities to be exposed to animals, entertainment and learning.
In addition to the zoo enhancement, Jagdeo disclosed plans for a future safari-style zoo which will be a separate project by the private sector, with government support. “So, we will probably give packages, do a prospectus and work with someone who might be interested in that,” he said. The Vice President believes that the safari-type zoo will be an additional attraction for people from North America and the Caribbean.
