I visited Central Zoo (Kathmandu's only zoo) today and thought I'd share the more current map and write a short review. I took this on my phone as a reference and all of the other photos are on my camera so will have to wait until I'm back in Australia.
Initially, I was hesitant about visiting this zoo because I've yet to visit a zoo in a developing country and don't want to be supporting the type of facility that is only in it for the money. After talking to a couple of people who have visited and reading some online reviews I decided that the current management of the Central Zoo is definitely worth supporting and my entrance fee (however small) will be valued.
A few of the major differences between this map and reality are:-
-the leopard exhibit is boarded up and they are currently exhibited in the langur enclosure near the bears. The former leopard cage would have been tiny for any species if big cat, as well as dark and low roofed.
-the two exhibits for blackbuck and spotted deer near the entrance have been combined into one exhibit.
-and there is only one tiger exhibit. The left hand exhibit is still under construction but will be fantastic if the right hand exhibit is anything to go by.
I'd be happy to answer anyone's questions (wifi permitting).
Wow PAT, super jealous! I hope you are going to write up a big thread about your trip to Nepal, not just a review of the zoo (which I definitely want to read too).
In the meantime - what species were exhibited under the map label "small mammals"?
Wow PAT, super jealous! I hope you are going to write up a big thread about your trip to Nepal, not just a review of the zoo (which I definitely want to read too).
In the meantime - what species were exhibited under the map label "small mammals"?
I'm at Chitwan as I type this; rhinos and gharials have been quite easy to spot and I've seen innumerous new species of birds. Some tourists that I've spoken to have had terrible luck in regards to rhinos and have been here for a few days without seeing any, I've seen four in two days. Also, I've only been able to access the internet on my phone for the last few weeks and it's driving me crazy so a full review will have to wait until I have a full keyboard.
In terms of my expectations, the zoo surpassed them but I went in with very low ones. Some exhibits were bad (as you'd expect), a lot of the zoo was average, and a few things were surprisingly good. The small mammal area was a central building surrounded by 6 small meshed exhibits for; Himalayan Palm civet, leopard cat, large Indian civet, Common palm civet, Indian crested porcupine, and jungle cat.
