Covid-19: Thailand's Zoo Offers Virtual Tour To Beat Stay-Home Blues

By Linda Khoo Hui Li BANGKOK, April 27 (Bernama) -- Genie – a four-year-old Orangutan at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand’s Si Racha District – was sitting on a wooden bench under the scorching sun, enjoying her fruit-filled block of ice to beat the heat. But unlike normal days, her only visitors for the day comprised a small group of cameramen and videographers who were busy capturing her images. Apart from her caretaker, it could be the first time Genie saw visitors since the zoo – about 100 km from Bangkok – closed its door to visitors on March 18. The Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand instructed all 14 zoos in the country to close starting March 18 following a cabinet decision to limit social gatherings to contain the spread of COVID-19. As a result, the zoo – located on a 2,000-acre (809.3 hectare) land and housing more than 8,000 animals from 300 species – is unusually quiet. But there’s more. According to the Director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Attaporn Srihayrun, the animals seem happier and are behaving in a ‘stress-free’ manner. “We noticed that some of our animals have changed. Some of them are in a happy and relaxed mood. Some of them have ‘mating session’. “However, some animals noticed the quiet surrounding as the onlookers never show up. They are missing human attention following the sharp decrease in interaction while some have been struggling with boredom after missing the attention of a human. “However, the closure of the zoo also gives our animals a rare break,” he told Bernama. Attaporn said the animals’ routines have not changed much and the caretakers are working hard to ensure life goes on as normal for the animals during the closure. Therefore, he said zoo personnel are taking turns to interact with the animals to ensure minimal changes to their routines. Attaporn said the zoo has been live-streaming their attractions on its official Facebook page to enable viewers at home to beat stay-home blues and watch the animals. He said since the start of the programme on April 3, “Zoo to Home” featured close-up videos of animals in the zoo with explanations from a presenter on the animals’ behaviours and habits as well as pointers on caring for the animals. To date, “Zoo to Home” featured 21 animals including the Malayan Tapir, tiger, giraffe, zebra, hippo, pygmy hippopotamus and koala, and each episode is watched by thousands of viewers. “Many are wondering what the animals in the zoo are up to when the zoo is closed. We are not sure when the zoo will re-open; therefore, we decided to offer live streaming for the viewers, especially animal lovers, during their stay at home. We hope the live-streaming will educate and entertain the viewers,” he said. Attaporn said during the closure, the zoo is undergoing minor repair and refurbishment to prepare for its re-opening. “We hope the zoo will re-open soon and animal fans could visit their favourite animals here,” he said. Thailand has declared a state of emergency, in effect nationwide from March 26 until April 30. -- BERNAMA