Photos: Vietnam zoo finds alternate ways to sustain amid pandemic blues

Much like other tourist places, Vietnam’s 150 year old zoo in Ho Chi Minh City is also struggling climb back to its previous popularity among visitors due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With 1,400 animals to look after, the zoo is now at the mercy of food donations as well as forced to think of new ways of generating revenue to fulfill the running costs. Zoo authorities say that the return of visitors has been gradual but nowhere close to pre-pandemic levels of footfall in April and May.

Updated on: Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM IST

News

Share via

• 
• 
• 
• 

Copy link

• 

1/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

A giraffe walks in her cage next to an empty restaurant at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City on August 19. The facility dates back to 150 years when it was built during French rule in Vietnam and is remains a popular tourist spot. (Yen Duong / REUTERS)

2/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Mahouts wearing protective masks seen next to an elephant at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City on August 19. The coronavirus outbreak has marred visitors’ footfall to the zoo, from 12,000 a day to hardly 1,400 a day. Visitors find it difficult to frequent tourist spots even after the government reopened and declared them safe for visit post a complete lockdown in April and May. (Yen Duong / REUTERS)

3/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

A zoo worker prepares food after receiving food donations at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City on August 19. With 1,400 animals to look after, the zoo is now at the mercy of food donations as well as forced to think of new ways of generating revenue to fulfil the running costs, i.e. 180 million dong a day. (Yen Duong / REUTERS)

4/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Bananas donated by zoo lovers are seen after a public community call for food donations at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City on August 19. In addition to the donations, the zoo is now doing things such as growing flowers to sell to the public, designing gardens for homeowners and selling fertilizers to farmers. The staff has also taken 30% salary cuts, Pham Van Tan, head of the Saigon Zoo told Reuters. (Yen Duong / REUTERS)

5/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Camels eat in their enclosure at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City on August 19, 2020. While on the other side some animals are also enjoying the cut down attention and have been emboldened by having fewer people peering at them, as per Zoo veterinarian Nguyen Baa Ph. (Yen Duong / REUTERS)

6/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Nguyen Phuoc Thinh, a veterinarian in charge of caring for illegally smuggled rescued animals, weighs a rare turtle confiscated by the police at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City on August 19. According to Reuters, a recent fund-raising drive also raised more than $100,000 in just two days, which has enabled the authorities to suspend plans to exchange animals for breeding internationally. (Yen Duong / REUTERS)

7/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Mahouts bathe an elephant Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ho Chi Minh City on August 19. And while most people are staying away from their favourite animals, production manager Nguyen Thin Quay (not pictured) told Reuters that “Now it’s a good time to visit, since there are not many people.” (Yen Duong / REUTERS)