Khao Kheow Open Zoo (Thai: สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว, RTGS: Suan Sat Peot Khao Khiao) is a large zoo in Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand.[1][2] It covers an area of about 2,000 acres and contains more than 8,000 animals from more than 300 species.[3]
The zoo is best known as the habitat of baby pygmy hippopotamus named Moo Deng.
History
Residence camp inside Khao Kheow Open ZooFlamingos at Khao Kheow Open Zoo
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo was established in 1974 with an area of about 200 acres in the foothills of Khao Kheow Mountain due to the increasing number of animals in the Dusit Zoo.
In 1978, the zoo was opened to the public. In 1984, the Zoological Park Organization under Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment allowed on expansion of the area to about 1000 acres. Subsequently, the Thai government decided to expand the area about 800 acres more to support education and research about the environment of wildlife.[4]
The zoo is famous for offering visitors the chance to see the animals up close, whether by renting a golf cart, driving a car or walking through the exhibits.[5]
In 2021, the zoo came under scrutiny for its elephant swimming exhibit when an Australian photojournalist, Adam Oswell, won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award for Photojournalism with a photo taken at Khao Kheow.[6] Called "Elephant in the Room," the photo shows an elephant submerged in a tank with a trainer while people watch through an underwater window. The photo's caption says, "Adam uses his photo to draw attention to the crowd watching, rather than the elephant itself, bringing into question these forms of tourist entertainment. Around the world, animals are held captive and deprived of their natural way of life to serve as entertainment in zoos and touring shows."[7]
Dr. Visit Arsaithamkul, a veterinarian who worked at Khao Kheow at the time, told CNN that the elephants are trained through "reward-based positive reinforcement" and that "they voluntarily get into the pool.”[8]
In 2024, a baby pygmy hippopotamus named Moo Deng was born at the zoo. She quickly became a viral internet meme, boosted the number of visitors to the zoo, and caused the zoo's director to secure copyright and trademark rights for the hippo.[9] Animal welfare groups expressed concern for Moo Deng. A spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said, "She faces a lifetime of confinement," while World Animal Protection said, "Sharing Moo Deng content might seem innocuous, but it promotes cruelty to animals.”[10] The zoo's director, Narongwit Chodchoi, rejected the allegations and maintained that the facility ensures the welfare and quality of life for more than 2,000 animals.[11] The Thai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said that Moo Deng was well taken care of and that PETA was relying on "outdated" information.[12] The pygmy hippopotamus is an endangered species from West Africa, with fewer than 2,000-2,500 adults left, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.[13]
Zones
The zoo is divided into several thematic zones.[14]
Khao Kheow Night Safari: This zone is for visitors who want to explore and experience the zoo after sunset. After dark, visitors can hear the night time sounds of animals and get the atmosphere of a wild night.
Cats Complex Park: This park consists of a collection of graceful and nimble wild animals in the cat family. Visitors can observe 48 species of varying size in eight enclosures that cover a total area of 40 acres. Each enclosure area has each species nature habitats, for example, grasslands, desert, lands, woodlands, wetlands, and mountains.[15]
Walk Through Aviary: Visitors can walk through the aviary area while being surrounded by more than 80 different species of birds. The aviary covers two acres and is decorated with streams, ponds, waterfalls, and many plants.
Eld's Deer Park: The deer park zone is more than an acre in size.
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