Taiwan’s Hsinchu Zoo expected to reopen at year's end after closing two years ago

兩年前關閉 台灣新竹動物園預計年底重新開放

Animals in the refurbished zoo will have larger space to move about and rest, and visitors will be able to see the animals at closer range


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Hsinchu Zoo is expected to reopen at year end after it was closed for refurbishment two years ago, Central News Agency (CNA) reported on Aug. 15.

Built in 1936, Hsinchu Zoo is the oldest among zoos in Taiwan that still exist at their original sites. The zoo was closed in May 2017 for a reconstruction project that included refurbishment of animal inhabits and construction of new facilities for housing insects, a parent-child restaurant, and other inviting accommodations.

Hsinchu Mayor Lin Chih-chien (林智堅) said the zoo has been serving for three generations, and visiting the zoo has been part of common memories many locals share, CNA reported. .

He said that after he took office as Hsinchu mayor, he immediately launched the "zoo revitalization project" to do away with the cage-housed pattern and overturn the traditional model of “animals being watched,” the news outlet reported

Hsinchu Zoo director Yang Chia-min (楊家民) said that animals in the zoo will have larger space to move about and rest in the future, and visitors will be able to see the animals at closer range, according to the report.

The zoo revitalization work is nearing completion, and the newly furbished zoo is expected to open at year's end, according to the report. The zoo’s star animal Hippo Lele has recently moved into its new home. The city will hold preliminary zoo visit activities form Aug. 17 - 28, during which families will be led to partial areas of the zoo, including the aged elephant-shaped gate, the fountains of the zoo, and Hippo Lele’s new home, according to the CNA report.