TripAdvisor photo of the entrance to the zoo
Being surrounded by the loud squawks and screams of colorful macaws, coupled with the rattling, hissing sound of snakes can leave you with the most natural feeling in the world. Amazingly, Guyana has a place that offers such a feeling in a beautiful, clean and serene environment – the Zoological Park! It’s a perfect place to get in touch with nature and a safe place to bring children, they will love it, especially when they explore the various animals and activities within the park.
Origin Of The Zoological Park
The doors to the zoo were officially opened on the 1st January, 1952. Even before the zoo was opened, animals were already being housed on the zoo grounds. For example, the manatees living in the Botanical Gardens ponds have been there since 1895. (Not the original manatees. The offspring of original manatees are currently living there.) Some other long-term residents of the zoo are the harpy eagles living in the larger cages. These raptors are the very same eagles that came in 1952. Long living birds indeed!
What Is The Purpose Of The Zoo?
The purpose of the zoo is to offer three services to the public and to visitors: 1) Recreation, 2) Education, and 3) Conservation. As said in the introduction, the zoo is an excellent place for family and friends, the relaxing atmosphere makes your visit an enjoyment as you learn about the wild animals of Guyana. Awareness of wildlife enables us to protect them into the future.
Wildlife At The Zoo
- Mammals: Mammals at the zoo includes jaguars, pumas, tapirs, giant otter, monkeys, a tayra and sloths.
- Birds: Some birds at the zoo are eagles and hawks (raptors), parrots, macaws, toucans and owls.
- Reptiles: Reptiles are caimans, anacondas, turtles, and tree boas.
Five Things To Do At The Zoo
The famous Kissing Bridge at the Guyana Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens. | Subhash C Haimraj Photo
- Petting Zoo – Kids especially enjoy this fun zoo; as you enter you will be greeted by cute, fluffy bunnies, admire them as they twitch their noses and dig holes in the ground. You will then see a pond with turtles, gracefully walking and slowly enjoying themselves among the ducks. As you go further there are donkeys which you are free to pet.
- Meet Jada and Jazz (Pumas) – These two fun-loving cats are fierce and entertaining. Admire them as they just lay there, see their huge paws and big teeth and be awed when they open their mouths and begin purring and growling.
- Hype Up With Johnny The Otter – This friendly otter has his own pool and a small playground behind the pool. He is always happy and makes your day as he swims in his pool and perform amusing tricks. He loves getting his head rubbed and he loves the attention from humans.
- Watch The Manatees – The manatees can be fed grass within the Botanical Gardens outside of the zoo. However, they can also be seen inside of the zoo, sometimes they rise up out of the water revealing their upper back or their beautiful, paddle-shaped tail. These manatees are also called water cows in Guyana.
- Playground For Kids – There is a playground for the children, safe and environmentally friendly. There are swings, slides, sea-saws and a monkey bar. The ground has a small benab for parents to rest while they supervise their kids. It is an excellent place for children to exert that extra energy and have safe fun as the ground is filled with sand and grass.
- Picnic on the Grass in the Park –
- Visit the 7 Ponds – The 1969 Seven Ponds on the south of the central avenue in the Botanical Gardens, Georgetown, Guyana is the final resting place of Sir David Rose, the first Guyanese Governor General, celebrated Guyanese poet Martin Carter and former president Hugh Desmond Hoyte (1985 to 1992). Entombed in the nearby Mausoleum is Guyana’s first Executive President, Linden Forbes Burnham.
- Kiss on the Famous Kissing Bridge – many couple shares memories of their first kiss on this bridge.
Location Of The Zoo
The Zoo is located on Regent and Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, Guyana. It can be found inside of the Botanical Gardens.
Contact Information:
- Messenger: m.me/GuyanaZoo
- Telephone No.: 225 9142
- Gmail: [email protected]
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM from Monday to Sunday.
Zoo Of Past Times
Many older ones would be able to tell us that years ago the zoo was filled with a wider variety of snakes, caimans, birds and monkeys. It even had an elephant! They would also reminisce about the beautiful, outstanding exhibits that existed at that time and even the environmental appearance. There was also a building called the aquarium which was filled with different, colorful and beautiful fishes swimming around in their fish tanks and mini ponds. When visiting the zoo, one can still see the building that was once home to these fishes.
Zoo In Guyana
This appealing environment filled with wildlife is a delightful place to indulge in nature, peace and serenity. It is a family-friendly place for a relaxing stroll as you listen to the sounds of the various animals, admire the attractive flora and fauna and have fun at the playground with the kids. At the back of the zoo has a huge, well grown tree where you can sit and watch the flowing water that runs next to it. It is an excellent place to get familiar with the wild animals in Guyana and it serves great for educational purposes. It can be considered as both a relaxing and educational place for children and adults.
Article References:
- http://www.devnet.org.gy/sdnp/iyv2001/guyanazoo.html
- https://www.facebook.com/GuyanaZoo/
- Main Image: Subhash C Haimraj Image
