Central Zoo, Kathmandu, Nepal
Central Zoo, Kathmandu
After a break of a few weeks I am going to return to writing about my time in Nepal. If you want to read earlier posts about my time in Nepal, click on the appropriate link in the contents section on the sidebar, or choose one of the categories.
One of the things I really wanted to do while in Kathmandu was to visit their zoo. My family and I are keen visitors to zoos and wildlife parks here in Australia. I am a life member of the Adelaide Zoo in South Australia, so it was only natural that I wanted to visit a foreign zoo. I also thought it would be a good opportunity to observe some of the native animals I had missed while exploring different parts of Nepal.
Central Zoo, Kathmandu
Central Zoo in Kathmandu in the only zoo in Nepal. It is within easy reach of most parts of the city. It was very cheap to enter; two Australian dollars if my memory is correct plus another dollar if I wanted to take photos. The day I visited was a sunny, clear day and so there were many visitors, including several large groups of school children.
Overall, my impression of this zoo is one of great disappointment. It was generally clean and well maintained but the animals on show were merely token efforts at representing some of the fauna of this beautiful country. The enclosures were obviously constructed in the late 1800s and have never been upgraded since. Heavy mesh wire cages and bars were everywhere, with no attempts at making the enclosures pleasant for the animals nor aesthetic for the human visitors.
It is a sad reminder of how zoos once were constructed. One cannot blame the zoo authorities for this sad state. Nepal has endured massive political and financial pressures in recent decades; there would have been no sense of urgency or even a perceived need to improve the overall appearance of the displays, nor to care more humanely for the animals on display.
In coming days I will feature some of the animals I photographed.
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Great post. I really enjoyed it. I will have to bookmark this site for later.
I like visiting different zoos. You may find it interesting to go my archives to read more about zoos I have visited. Click on this link:
http://www.trevorstravels.com/category/zoos/
I relly hate those guys who work as volentier workers and security guard.They are such a stupid.
Today I went to Zoo with my family and I have carried plastic bags for my rain coats. They have stoped me to carry that plastic bags in to the Zoo.I surprise that why I can’t carry it. Any way I agreed to change my rain coat in another bag which they gave me instead of my plastic bag. I have rounded around whole zoo and i have fond lots of plastics throwing arond the path.and selling some plastic packing food inside the zoo. Why they control it and they are asking to make emty of peoples loggege.
After I complete to see, I went to return bag to get my plastic bag. But they have lost my bag and gave me another bag.I found there is no management and just sat in the chair.I wanted to complain about me but two of security guard came and pushed me away.
I relly relly hate it and I don’t want to go again.
Thank you for your comments Yogendra. It makes me sad that you were treated in this way. A visit to a zoo should be a happy event. I must say that I did not really enjoy my visit. Many of the animals seemed so bored and unhappy.
I have been to this zoo!! I love it. The best zoo in the world lamo
Hi Dipshikha,
Thanks for visiting my blog. I think you must be trying to be sarcastic when you say that it is “the best zoo in the world.” It is far from being even a good zoo let alone the best. Sadly, it is probably a candidate for the worst zoo in the world, which is a pity as it is in a most beautiful country.
Mr. Yogendra Shrestha,
Thank you for all your concerns. Your recommendation and comments will be forwarded to higher officials of National Trust for Nature Conservation/Central Zoo
well …emm its sad that u were treated lyk that..but i guess the zoo authority n the volunteers are doing great job…its a hioghtym for all ppl around the world to think about the climate change we all are facin..though its jus a small move frm the only zoo of nepal..but i guess we sudnt me underestimating its hardwork…we must think as a member of the whole world before we take it as individual problem!!CAUTION!!me myself is a volunteer member n im workin on a project for betterment of the zoo authority!!those poor volunteers n security guard are at work frm 9 to 5 in da mornin…yes we cannot expect evryone to b perfect but as far as i have seen they realy are workin hard!!rest…emm we all know better!banning plastic within zoo premises may seem useless at first but its a awareness among us about the unknown and unseen harmful effects of plastic bag…alternatives to plastic bag sud be enforced not by others but ourself..!as an environment student myself…i have minimised usin plastic bags……i wud lyk to apologize for watever way u were bahaved with but i sincerely request ppl to take it wid a gud spirit…n learn somethin for savin our natural environment@@
P.S. @ yogendra…>>> plastic bags are nywaz harmful so why do u need some PLASTIC bag when u can have an alternative for that which really can save the environment!@@
Mr. Yogendra shrestha,
the job in the zoo was too ban the plastic not just within the zoo premises but outside it too.Knowing tat plastics cannot be decomposed and are harmful for the environment u must avoid it. Calling others stupid does not make u a genius. If you eyes then u must have, or should have seen a 3 big banners on the way to the zoo and also one in the entrance and many inside the zoo. And if you have any a little brain you should have understood that the banner said NO PLASTIC BAGS. If u were so greedy abt the plastic bag u which probably does not cost a penny you should have read that.
At least people are going one step further in doing something nobel for the environment unlike people who can just complain.
if ur wondering who i am??i am one of the voluteers.n i have went through alot of people like you in the zoo.i would call them uneducated.
look nepal is a 3rd world country …. wat did you expect in the zoo ?? hell im surprised that we even have the animal that we have .. @ yogendra G:A plastic bag is a plastic bag doesnt matter if its frm bhat bhatini or a local fruit shop .. you got a bag to carry your rain coats dint you ?? hell why dint you bring an umbrella two wud be more than enough for a family and is easier to carry around … plastic bags are harmful to the environment inside the zoo and outside of it. and if your so concernd about your plastic bags then take one frm lagankhel there are heaps of it
I thank everyone for contributing to this discussion but please remember that I moderate the comments. Please keep your comments polite and respectful of others.
I almost deleted your comment Ashween because you sounded very angry.
If the tone of comments continues in this angry way I will close the comments down and not allow any more discussion on this important issue.
Let’s keep it friendly and respectful.