Chennai zoos to stay open for Ayudha Pooja

CHENNAI: Chennai Zoos will be open for visitors on Tuesday (October 4) on the account of Ayudha Pooja, as it attracts more visitors on government holiday.

In addition, the park management has been conducting programmes for the public and students for National Wildlife Week (October 2-8).

“Though the Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur Zoo) reopened on August 25, 2021. The park did not receive a good number of visitors during the holiday season. Now, considering the large number of people visiting the zoological park, we keep the zoo open for visitors on account of the Pooja holidays,” R Kanchana, Deputy Director, Vandalur zoo.

On Sunday, over 18,000 people visited the zoo, and the management is expecting around 20,000 visitors for the next few days. Even on weekdays, the numbers were quite high, as schools have been closed. “Usually, on weekends, and government holidays, as many as 10,000 people visit the zoo. Unlike previous years, it has surged because post-pandemic lockdown restrictions have been lifted,” she added.

Recently, the aquarium reopened to attract visitors to Vandalur Zoo, which was closed temporarily due to lockdown, and feared that the public would not follow the protocols.

With renovation going on, the administration has added new elements to the fish tanks, including vegetation, air stones and paintings of fish varieties at the aquarium.

The park is conducting competitions for National Wildlife Week for the public and college students. “The Wildlife Week celebration with special reference to the reptiles’ event with several colleges in the city, including Stella Maris College, Ethiraj College, Quaid-e-Milleth College, and AVC College Wildlife students till October 10. On all days, quiz programs will be conducted for the visiting public, and each correct answer will be rewarded with a gift,” said a senior official at Chennai Snake Park.