LAHORE - A record breaking number of visitors arrived to the Lahore zoo during the 3-day Eid Holidays this year, TheNation has learnt.
Data collected from the Zoo revealed that a total of 2,27,000 people visited the Lahore Zoo during the three Eid days, breaking the record of 215,000 visitors of last year (3-days). The Zoo management says that the zoo generated over Rs2.78 million during the festival while Rs 2.6 million was generated last year.
Adding to that as many as 1,48,000 visitors thronged the Zoo during the last three days of the Eid holiday (Friday to Sunday). The administration generated Rs 1.812 million in these three days pushing the grand total to Rs 45,92,000 in six days.
During usual working days the zoo generates around Rs20,000 per day, while around Rs50,000 on Sundays.
According to the data, over 42 thousand people visited the Zoo on the first day of Eid, 90 thousand second day, 95 thousand on third day, 65 thousands on fourth day, 41 thousand on fifth day and over 42 thousand people on the sixth day. 
The visitors including women and children were seen enjoying different sections of the Zoo. They included the animal and bird cages.
Though around 100 children received minor injuries during their visits, the management was successful in catering massive amounts peacefully.
Praising his team, Zoo Director Naeem Bhatti told TheNation that they had ensured special security arrangements on the Eid days. He said security cameras were installed for safety and to monitor activities of the ‘naughty children’ and youngsters nearing cages of dangerous.
He said the administration left no stone unturned for ensuring provision of all the essential facilities like water coolers and parking areas.
He said that no unpleasant incident occurred during three days of Eid within the premises of zoo thanks to the team. The staffers also ensured to keep a smooth traffic flow outside the zoo, he added.
He further informed that the Zoo administration purchased over two hundred new birds in previous years including 100 peacocks and over 100 birds belonging to different species for bird lovers.
He said that the Zoo administration is also planning to bring in more precious birds from different countries.
We were expecting more visitors on this Eid as compared to the previous which why we increased the number of ticket booths at both the entry gates and maximised the parking, he further said.
Director said they had arranged wildlife guides who were deployed at various important points inside the Zoo, especially near the tigers and bears section for necessary information to visitors.
It was witnessed that the cages with tigers, lions, and monkeys remained the centre of attraction for visitors. Children showed their keen interest in riding Suzi, the elephant.
On the other hand a large number of people also visited Bagh-e-Jinnah, Jillani Park (Racecourse Park), Gulashan-e-Iqbal Park, Iqbal Park, Jallo Park, Model Town Central Park and Safari Park and the historical places including Lahore Fort, Tomb of Jahangir, Shalimar Garden and Baradari Khamran, situated in the middle of the River Ravi and other recreation places as well.