Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens Saigon Zoo news

I went there once in April, but there was no species count, so some birds and amphibians may not be remembered clearly.

However, in general, the notable animals here include the Clouded leopard, Asian golden cat, Fishing cat, Indochinese tiger, Indochinese leopard, Owston's palm civet, Asian palm civet, Binturong , Vietnamese black bear, Smooth-coated otter, Burmese ferret-badger, Asian elephant, Pygmy hippopotamus, Lesser mouse-deer, Eld's deer, Hog deer, Vietnamese sika deer, Asiatic brush-tailed porcupine, Black giant squirrel, Germain's langur, Annamese langur, Red-shanked douc langur, Black-shanked douc langur, Gray-shanked douc langur, Bornean orangutan, Pileated gibbon, Yellow-cheeked gibbon, Lesser adjutant, Asian woolly-necked stork, Oriental darter, Spot-billed pelican, Indian cormorant, Purple swamphen, Green peafowl, Vietnamese crested argus, Banded krait and King cobra. You might even spot some other surprises that I've overlooked.

The Sunda pangolin is currently not on display.

By the way, don't miss the museum within the zoo. It houses exhibits of many species that were once displayed here but have since disappeared.
Thanks so much!
The zoo seems to have lost some interesting species, but still worth the visit!

I'll surely visit the museum too.

I'll make a species list after my visit.
 
The zoo opens at 7:00 AM. After entering, head straight to the hippo exhibit to see the Burmese ferret-badger (Melogale personata), as they are highly active in the early morning. Be very careful of the red ants on the railings!
Thanks for the information!

I am unfortunately not able to go visit at that time due to flight issues.
I'm planning to spend time at the zoo from around 10 AM to 5 PM.

I'll try to see them!
 
Thanks for the information!

I am unfortunately not able to go visit at that time due to flight issues.
I'm planning to spend time at the zoo from around 10 AM to 5 PM.

I'll try to see them!
The Burmese ferret-badger can be seen at other times, though it may not be as active as in the early morning. Even in that timeframe, it's sufficient since their exhibit area is quite compact. They have four Asian golden cats (*Catopuma temminckii*) and two clouded leopards (*Neofelis nebulosa*) — I hope you get to see them all!
 
The Burmese ferret-badger can be seen at other times, though it may not be as active as in the early morning. Even in that timeframe, it's sufficient since their exhibit area is quite compact. They have four Asian golden cats (*Catopuma temminckii*) and two clouded leopards (*Neofelis nebulosa*) — I hope you get to see them all!
Thanks! I'm really looking forward!
 
Hi,
I will be visiting in December, may I know how many Germain's and Annamese langures does the zoo have ? What is the best time to see Owston's palm civets ?
Thanks, Jakub
 
Hi,
I will be visiting in December, may I know how many Germain's and Annamese langures does the zoo have ? What is the best time to see Owston's palm civets ?
Thanks, Jakub
A number of Germain's langurs (*Trachypithecus germaini*) are present, with several individuals occasionally visible and photographable outside enclosure boundaries. The douc langur collection comprises: two black-shanked doucs (*Pygathrix nigripes*), one gray-shanked douc (*Pygathrix cinerea*), and one red-shanked douc (*Pygathrix nemaeus*). Small carnivore feedings occur daily from 10:30 AM to noon, during which the three Owston's palm civets (*Chrotogale owstoni*) become visibly active in the period leading up to feeding sessions.
 
Sorry, I got it wrong. There are certain numbers of both Annamese langurs and Germain's langurs. The ones outside and freely active are the Annamese langurs.
Do you have an estimation for the wild / ranging Aannames langurs?

I was kind of surprised that whereas they have all species of douc langur, they do not have breeding groups, just singletons... or something. Any idea why?
 
So how is the zoo as far as exhibit quality and the actual grounds?

I ask because I know a lot of Asian zoos are kinda dicey in this regard
 
So how is the zoo as far as exhibit quality and the actual grounds?

I ask because I know a lot of Asian zoos are kinda dicey in this regard
This zoo is quite old, and some of the venues appear relatively small, but perhaps it can be considered an acceptable condition in Vietnam.
 
I always find it kind of bemusing when Americans say something like this, given the appalling zoos spread all over the USA.

Nevertheless, here is a review I wrote in 2017: Saigon Zoo review - 7 March 2017 [Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens]
@Chlidonias, our esteemed Zoochat contributor is very much of PR of China descent. I guess @YuanChang has a good experience of what sub par conditions can exist in some zoos in PR of China. Admittedly, - and I am sure our esteemed friend will too acknowledge that a good deal of zoos in the country are making great strides in state of the art zoo exhbitry, animal husbandry and animal welfare ..., while a part is on the darker side than pale.

However, if the feedback was North American or from any other Western nation, I would agree that we have work to do at home very much too....!:rolleyes::(
 
A number of Germain's langurs (*Trachypithecus germaini*) are present, with several individuals occasionally visible and photographable outside enclosure boundaries. The douc langur collection comprises: two black-shanked doucs (*Pygathrix nigripes*), one gray-shanked douc (*Pygathrix cinerea*), and one red-shanked douc (*Pygathrix nemaeus*). Small carnivore feedings occur daily from 10:30 AM to noon, during which the three Owston's palm civets (*Chrotogale owstoni*) become visibly active in the period leading up to feeding sessions.
@YANG Zhuofan, I see your numbers for the primates differ somewhat from what @Chlidonias mentioned in his excellent 2017 review! Always very appreciative and highly valued contributions and reviews by @Chlidonias!!!!

QUOTE:
"*Red-shanked Douc - at least one pair with young (I couldn't see them well in their cage though)
*Black-shanked Douc - several animals
*Annamese Silvered Langur (Trachypithecus margarita - labelled as Silvered Leaf Monkey Trachypithecus cristatus which is an old pre-split name
*Pileated Gibbon
*Buff-cheeked Gibbon (labelled as gabriellae)"
UNQOUTE

Some queries:
i. Are You sure the 3 douc langur species are down to singletons and a pair?
ii. The Germain's langur Trachypithecus germaini numbers? Breeding group? Inside a zoo designed exhibit???
iii. The Annamese langur Trachypithecus margarita numbers? Outside, free-ranging in the forest surrounding Ho Chi Minh/Sai Gon Zoo?
 
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