Taking yet another step towards becoming visitor-friendly, the Delhi zoo has brought in several improvements and made available a hop-on hop-off service on an entirely new route within the complex.
The 10 battery-operated trolleys that the zoo runs have been converted into a drop-off and pick-up service, with visitors now required to begin their walk around the zoo from the right side rather than the left.
“We observed and put some thought into how best to improve the quality of the tour service here. The aim is simple — to ensure that visitors are able to view the animals and birds in a relaxed manner and enjoy the trip. Education through observation in a leisurely manner is the key. Since we get a lot of children and young adults here, we are keen that they enjoy the experience and keep coming back,’’ said Delhi zoo veterinarian Paneerselvam.
As per the new zoo plan, visitors can cover the ‘two-km walk around the zoo” to observe the 130 different species of inmates housed here in a relaxed way.
“There are 1,500 animals and birds in the zoo. If one takes the small by-lanes in the zoo, it is a good four-and-a-half-km walk. Earlier, the trolley service went from left to the right side of the zoo, but we realised that visitors were missing out on seeing a lot of inmates. So the route has been changed. Coupled with the new drop facility, where visitors can get off at any drop point, view the inmates for as long as they want and then take a new vehicle to the out gate, we feel this will definitely lead to an improvement in the quality of the zoo experience,” added Dr. Paneerselvam.
By October, the zoo will have new inmates, including a jungle cat, two wolves and gharials. “The zoo will be giving away a white buck, goral and white tiger in exchange for these animals,” said the veterinarian.
