Peshawar Zoo Draws Influx of Children, Families on Eid

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Peshawar: Anaya Bibi, a fourth-grade student at a private school, couldn’t contain her excitement after visiting the Peshawar Zoo during the third day of Eid ul Fitr celebrations.

The sight of wild animals, including cobras, snakes, lions, falcons, and giraffes, left her in awe, fulfilling a childhood dream.

Grateful to her father for making it happen, Anaya, a resident of Pabbi Nowshera district, expressed her joy and gratitude.

Impressed by the zoo’s efforts to provide a natural environment for the rare wildlife alongside visitor facilities, Anaya shared her admiration while observing the falcons.

Her sentiments resonated with the thousands of children and families who flocked to the zoo during the Eid holidays.

From Giraffe to lions, cobras to bears, and an array of birds and reptiles, the diverse animal collection captivated visitors of all ages, sparking laughter and fun-filled moments.

Families from various districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including Khyber, Kohat, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Mohmand, Swabi, and Peshawar, joined the festivities.

Guided by wildlife experts, children and their parents learned about the different species, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of wildlife conservation.

Sprawling across 29 acres near the University of Peshawar, the Peshawar Zoo stood as Pakistan’s largest, established by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department.

With its commitment to creating natural habitats for a wide range of animals and birds found across the country, the zoo served as a beacon for both education and entertainment, fostering a deeper connection between people and wildlife.

At the entrance, big statues of elephants and Giraffe have been installed in front of the main gate that attract the attention of visitors and children while passing through Rahatabad Road.

Falcon cages remained a center of attraction for tourists, wildlife lovers, students, and children, where three large brown and black eagles were kept. 

On its left and middle sides, Giraffe, zebras, camels, dears, ducks, pheasants, and other birds draw visitors attention.

A safari bus is also available for visitors to help them watch all these wild animals in a short time, besides a restaurant for food services. Free swings, camel rides, and train rides inside the facility doubled the joy of the children. 

Sidra Sheraz (30), who came to the zoo along with her children from Nowshera said that it was a great gift for the people of Peshawar, which has not only enhanced the beauty of Peshawar but also become a symbol of healthy entertainment. 

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, she said. 

Falcons have always attracted my children, and that is why I came here to see them closely on my kids’ demands, she said. 

“It is not only a place of entertainment but a great source of education and research for students of wildlife and zoology who otherwise traveled to Islamabad and Lahore for this purpose in the past,”  she said.

Anaya emphasized the importance of providing proper shelter shades, tree plantations, and adequate cold watering facilities for the animals. She suggested hiring DVM doctors around the clock to attend to the medical needs of the animals, particularly during harsh weather conditions.

Dr Muhammad Naeem from Swabi University praised the zoo as a valuable addition to the healthy entertainment and recreational options for the residents of Peshawar and nearby districts. He noted that people from Attock, Punjab, had also visited the zoo, contributing to fostering bonds of friendship and understanding between provinces, enriching cultural exchange.

Highlighting the positive impact of the zoo on people’s mental and psychological well-being, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, Dr Naeem commended the various attractions offered by the zoo, including the playland, train ride, swings, motion rides, camel ride, cafeteria, and safari train.

He proposed the establishment of a testing laboratory within the zoo premises to facilitate the treatment of common animal diseases, thereby preventing unnecessary deaths.

Additionally, Dr Naeem suggested exempting small children from the relatively high zoo fare and emphasized the need for comprehensive training for doctors and staff to ensure the animals’ proper care according to international standards.

Wildlife experts urged visitors to refrain from throwing stones or teasing the animals and encouraged full cooperation with zoo staff. They emphasized that the zoo was a symbol of Peshawar’s identity and urged visitors to maintain cleanliness within the premises for everyone’s enjoyment.