Stress minimised at Dusit Zoo
By The Nation
Published on October 9, 2008
Bangkok's Dusit Zoo made special arrangements to protect its 2,300 animals from being stressed out by the explosive noise and smoke from Tuesday's clashes in its neighbourhood between antigovernment protesters and police.
The zoo, located opposite the Parliament building, moved two noisesensitive lesser anteaters to Chon Buri's Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Zoological Park Organisation deputy chief Prayuth Navacharoen said yesterday. Kangaroos and wallabies in cages near the Parliament front road were also moved to a quieter corner of the zoo, he said.
Other creatures such as birds in the zoo's large cage did not seem affected by the noise, partly because they were already used to city sounds, he said. However, zoo veterinarians will closely watch the animals for signs of stress.
"The impact on animals is not clearly seen - but the effect on fearful human visitors is obvious; many have stopped coming to the zoo since Tuesday," he said.
"Normally during the school break in October, parents choose to bring their kids to visit the zoo and we have at least 1,000 visitors a day," he said.
He confirmed that despite the street troubles, the zoo is still open and safe for visiting.
