Peshawar Zoo (Urdu: پشاور چهڑیاگهر) is one of the largest zoos in Pakistan and the first ever zoo in Peshawar. It opened on 12 February 2018.[2][3][4] It is managed by the Forests, Environment and Wildlife department of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
| Peshawar Zoo | |
|---|---|
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| 34°01′02.3″N 71°29′23.0″E / 34.017306°N 71.489722°E | |
| Date opened | 12 February 2018 |
| Location | Palosi road, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
| Land area | 29 acres (12 ha)[1] |
| No. of species | ~70 |
| Owner | Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Management | Wildlife Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
History
editPeshawar zoo's construction formally started on February 3, 2016, with the ground breaking ceremony being attended by Imran Khan and Chief Minister of KPK, Pervez Khattak. The zoo was officially opened to the public on February 13, 2018. The zoo is spread over an area of 29 acres besides the premises of the Pakistan Forest Institute. It is located next to Markaz-Ul-Uloom Islamia Rahatabad.
Some of the first animals to arrive were brought from Lahore Zoo in October 2017, these included a pair of lions and various species of ungulates including nilgai and blackbucks. Other animals were brought from various institutions across Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, including leopards brought from Dhodial pheasantry and a wildlife park in Malakand and an Asiatic black bear from Nathiagali.
The zoo was formally inaugurated and opened to the public on 12 February 2018.[5] Earlier on following the zoo's opening various animals died due to lack of medical facilities and rising temperatures in the city, these included a female snow leopard named Sonhi which died due to a clogged artery which could not be diagnosed on time and at least 2 leopard cubs which died due to heat related causes.[6]
In June 2018, 3 pairs of Bengal tigers arrived at the zoo from South Africa, followed shortly by the arrival of giraffes and the opening of the snake house.
In November 2018 a herd of Arabian oryx arrived from UAE, making this the first endangered species of ungulate to be imported by the zoo.
Areas and attractions
edit
Lion House
editConsisting of indoor housing, with viewing for guests, and a moated enclosure. The zoo is currently home to a pair of lions donated by the Lahore Zoo. Located adjacent is the Bear House, divided into two moats and two indoor sections for Asiatic black bear and Himalayan brown bear. Currently the zoo only house two Asiatic black bears.
Bird Aviary
editA walk through aviary located in the middle of the zoo. This exhibit is not yet complete, with visitors only being able to see it from the outside . Species housed here include great white pelicans, greater flamingos, muscovy ducks, ring-necked pheasants, chukar partridges, Asian houbara bustards, demoiselle cranes and black-crowned cranes among others.
Leopard House
editConsisting of 4 roofed enclosure with indoor shelters for the animals. Species housed here include an Indian leopard, rhesus macaques, a grey wolf and Bengal tigers.
Others
editOther notable animals present at the zoo include giraffes, blackbucks, markhors, grey gorals, black bears, Javan green peafowl, Himalayan griffon vultures, Peregrine falcons and Indian cobras.
Animals
editMammals
editBirds
edit- Common ostrich
- Great white pelican
- Greater flamingo
- Muscovy duck
- Mallard
- Domestic duck
- Peregrine falcon
- Saker falcon
- Northern goshawk
- Black-shouldered kite
- Himalayan vulture
- Indian peafowl
- Green peafowl
- Common pheasant
- Silver pheasant
- Golden pheasant
- Lady Amherst's pheasant
- Red junglefowl
- Chukar partridge
- MacQueen's bustard
- Common crane
- Demoiselle crane
- Black-crowned crane
- Eurasian collared dove
- Cockatiel
- Sulphur-crested cockatoo
- Rose-ringed parakeet
- Plum-headed parakeet
- Fischer's lovebird
- Yellow-collared lovebird
- Eclectus parrot
- Eastern rosella
- Budgerigar
- Scarlet macaw
- Blue-and-yellow macaw
- Java sparrow
Reptiles
editAnimal births
editThe zoo welcomed 4 Indian leopard cubs on 30, April, 2018. The cubs were born to a pair of leopards originating from the Hazara and Malakand regions of Pakistan.[7] It was reported that at least two of the cubs died due to the increasing temperature in the city.[6] Other births at the zoo include a llama and a Bactrian camel.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Site selected for Peshawar zoo, at last". www.dawn.com.
- ^ "Foundation stone of KP's first ever zoo laid in Peshawar". www.dawn.com.
- ^ "Govt okays site, funds for Peshawar zoo". www.dawn.com.
- ^ "First ever Animal zoo in Peshawar to be inaugurated". timesofislamabad.com.
- ^ "Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's first zoo opens in Peshawar". Gulf News.
- ^ a b "Two leopard cubs die at Peshawar zoo". The Express Tribune.
- ^ "Watch: Common leopard gives birth to 'four cubs' at Peshawar Zoo". The Express Tribune.