Soon, bond with birds, turtles at Vandalur zoo

Programme in Jan. to offer visitors chance to spend a day with animals; pre-booking a must

Animal lovers will get to feed and help maintain the enclosures of birds and turtles.

Vandalur zoo authorities are planning to give animal lovers the chance to get up close and personal with some birds and turtles.

Through a special programme, ‘Spend a day with birds or turtles’, set to launch in January, visitors can cut vegetables and fruits for bird feed, feed birds and turtles, and even assist animal keepers in the maintenance of enclosures.

Zoo authorities have already begun groundwork for the programme.

Speaking to

The Hindu , Vandalur zoo director K.S.S.V.P. Reddy said visitors (a single visitor, a couple or a group) will be allowed to spend a day in the enclosures of terrestrial birds, migratory birds and turtles.

The day would begin with cleaning the enclosures, followed by cutting feed for the birds. Then the animal keeper would teach the participant how to feed the birds or turtles.

The programme will provide a unique opportunity to visitors to interact with these animals, he said.

The programme will be implemented on all working days of the zoo. Visitors will have to book the programme at least a week in advance and will have to pay a premium amount. They can choose the birds they want to interact with.

Mr. Reddy said zoos in London charge up to GBP 250 for a similar programme. There, such programmes are booked well in advance and the dates blocked through the following year.

Those interested in the programme can contact: 044-22751089 or email: directoraazp1@gmail.com.