Peshawar   -  Peshawar Zoo, constructed by the previous PTI government on 29 acres vast land near University of Peshawar, was a unique recreational facility and was attracting a large number of people, tourists and wildlife lovers following coronavirus pandemic.

The negative effects on people’s mental and psychological health put by coronavirus had almost been ended courtesy by Peshawar zoo which became a main source of recreational and entertainment facility for thousands of people, tourists and wildlife lovers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Peshawar zoo, which was closed due to corona pandemic has been reopened for people and has attracted a substantial number of tourists along with their families and children on Sunday.

Officials in Peshawar Zoo said that up to 2,000 people were visiting the zoo per day while the number of visitors increases up to 5,000 on weekend and holidays. 

The children take keen interest in snakes, giraffe, tigers, lions, bears and inquire questions from the zoo officials and parents about their lifestyle, breeding and role in food chain.

White lion brought to the zoo after his seizure in Kohat and around 500 various types of colourful birds and parrots with beautiful voices, are the main centre of attraction of tourists and children these days.

Great rush was being witnessed on falcons, giraffe, lama, markhor, rare cats, foxes, ducks and snakes. The children expressed great joy after seeing Cobra and others types of snakes being kept in the snakes box.

“In the past, I had visited Islamabad and Lahore zoos to entertain my children. This year I did not go to these cities because of Peshawar Zoo,” said Riaz Khan, a resident of Noswhera district.

“Peshawar Zoo is bigger than others zoos of the country where all important wild animals were kept,” he said adding presence of an elephant would help enhance its attraction. 

More than 27 different types of wild species having strength of about 160 animals besides 43 various types of birds having over 800 numbers mostly brought from abroad were attracting tourists of all age groups. Its strength has increased after breeding of more than 58 new animals and birds in the facility.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had laid Peshawar Zoo foundation on February 2, 2016 and was opened for general public on February 12, 2018.

“The atmosphere of Peshawar Zoo is very peaceful, clean and only Rs40 is being charged from each visitor which is nominal in the prevailing situation,” he said.

The zoo is also an important source for students of zoology and wildlife for conducting research as previously they had to visit Lahore and Islamabad for the same.

Following completion of Swat Zoo, several extra animals would be shifted there besides 37 animals have already been shifted to wildlife parks at D.I. Khan, Lakki Marwat and Kohat for conservation and breeding.

Peshawar Zoo also has unique facilities of play lands, train ride, swings, motion and camel ride, cafeteria and safari trains which are attracting tourists and children in droves these days.