Peshawar: On the third day of Eid-ul-Fitr, families and children thronged the Peshawar Zoo on Wednesday and interacted with wild animals like eagles, Zarafas and African snakes.
Sixth-grader Malaika Bibi (10) after visiting the country’s largest zoo in Peshawar, where wild animals are kept in their natural habitat, attracted many children and families in a time of celebration and excitement.
Malaika, a resident of Wapda, Peshawar, said, “It was my dream to see wild animals like cobras, lions, falcons and giraffes. Today I thank my father for making my childhood dreams come true.”
After seeing the falcons, he said in an interview to the APP news agency, “I was surprised that the rare wild animals were kept in their natural environment apart from the facilities created for the visitors of the Peshawar Zoo.”
Thousands of children like Malaika visit the zoo on Easter and are fascinated by clowns, tigers, cobras, bears, cows, geese, cranes, reptiles, birds, falcons and falcons.
This tourist spot remains a center of attraction for small children, youth and families from various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to spend leisurely hours among the food stalls enjoyed in the many green lawns.
Along with their parents, children from Khyber, Kohat, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Mohmand, Swabi, Peshawar and KP districts were introduced to wildlife experts.
Spread over 29 hectares of land near the University of Peshawar, it is the largest zoo in Pakistan by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department, which has almost all the species of wild animals and birds found in the country.
At the gate, a large statue of an elephant and a giraffe has been installed in front of the main gate, which attracts the attention of visitors and children while passing through Jalan Rahatabad. The falconry cage has become the focus of tourists, wildlife lovers, students and children because it houses brown and black eagles of three sizes.
On the left and in the middle, giraffes, zebras, camels, geese, ducks, cows and other birds attract the attention of visitors.
A safari bus can help guests see these wild animals in a short time apart from restaurants for food service. Free rides, camels and trains inside the station double the fun for children.
Sumbul Riaz (34), who came to the zoo from Nowshera with his children, told APP that it was a great gift for the people of Peshawar, which not only added to the beauty of Peshawar but also became a symbol of wholesome entertainment.
“I used to visit Islamabad and Lahore zoos to entertain my children. I didn’t go to these cities this year because of Peshawar zoo,” he said.
“Falcons have always fascinated my children and that’s why I came here to see my children’s claims up close,” she said.
“It is not only a place of entertainment but also a great source of education and research for wildlife and zoology students who used to travel to Islamabad and Lahore for other purposes,” he said.
Emphasizing the need for proper shelter shade, trees and proper cold water for the animals, he said the services of DVM doctors can be hired 24/7 to attend to the medical needs of animals in severe weather conditions.
The Zoo has been a welcome addition in providing healthy entertainment and recreational facilities to the residents of Peshawar and adjoining districts.
Residents of Attok Punjab visit the Peshawar Zoo which brings people from all over the province closer together with each other’s culture, language and traditions, strengthening bonds of friendship and love.
He said the playground, train rides, races, action with camels, food and safari trains have added color to the zoo.
He suggested setting up an experimental laboratory in the zoo to treat common diseases and said the facility would avoid the death of precious animals.
He said the zoo’s fees were too high and children should be exempted from it.
Care should be taken to ensure that doctors and zoo staff can provide proper care according to international standards.
Wildlife experts urged visitors not to throw stones or tease animals and to extend full cooperation with zoo staff. They said that the zoo is the identity of Peshawar and visitors should keep it clean and clean for people.
