TO enhance biodiversity conservation in urban areas for the protection of Guyana’s ‘green spaces’ under the Three-Parks Initiative, the zoological park (zoo) petting zoo is slated to open its doors to the public in December. In a brief interview, Ms. Annalise Bayney, the Protected Areas Commission officer who supervises this initiative, disclosed that all the major works as well as minor inputs such as the installation of doors, windows and other petty construction, have been completed.
Therefore, small issues are now being addressed surrounding the animals’ adjustment to the new environment (petting zoo).

FREE ACCESS
Although access to the facility will be free, it is expected that the facility will contribute to its own upkeep through rental for children’s birthday parties and reduced food costs from visitors making purchases to feed the animals.
The petting zoo will feature ducks, donkeys, goats, cows and chickens. The maintenance of these animals will, however, be less expensive when compared to the other animals in the larger zoo.
ANIMAL WELFARE
The zoo’s current primary objective is to implement international standards to promote animal welfare.
The purpose of the petting zoo is to modernise the larger zoological park and to provide a different experience, since wild animals are normally viewed from afar, thus there is no contact.
The petting zoo, on the other hand, will foster physical interaction with the animals and the public, particularly youths.

The zoo’s 45 species of animals are housed in enclosures that are not in line with current best practices and understanding in zoo husbandry, and are becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain.
Therefore the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) and the Protected Areas Commission launched the Three-Parks initiative to modernise the zoo.
Meanwhile, the zoo has established a Master Plan to augment its prime facilities and regenerate as well as develop road and rail networks in all three parks: The National Park, The Zoological Park and The Joe Vieira Park.
The rehabilitation of the zoo will enable visitors to gain greater knowledge of animal species in habitats that are representative of Guyana’s eco-systems. Moreover, it seeks to create new exhibit spaces that are huge enough to accommodate the animals and give them room to roam freely, as in their natural habitats.
MASTER PLAN PROJECTS
According to the Master Plan, five projects are to be completed: the Coastal Wetlands that will cater for the Black Caiman; the Savannah and the Mountain Highlands that will seek to accommodate the jaguars, the Rainforest that will be home to the Harpy Eagle and other bird species and lastly, World Treasures that will hold lions and tigers.
Each habitat zone will provide information on Protected Areas associated with that particular ecosystem, such as a Shell Beach information display in the Coastal Wetlands zone, and a Kanuku Mountains display in the Mountain Highlands zone.
COMFORT STATIONS
Covered climate-controlled structures will provide visitors’ comfort stations where habitat views, small animal exhibits, and interpretive information will be afforded in relative protection from the elements.
The storyline will be conveyed to the visitor through conventional graphics, artifacts, interactive elements, live animals, architecture, and landscape simulation. Visitors will be immersed in zones which are created to reinforce and illustrate the interpretive themes of animal interactions (predator/prey), symbiotic plant and animal associations, indigenous peoples and modern human relationships with the natural world.
The Zoological Park came into existence in 1952 and affords locals and tourists alike the chance to experience a diverse animal collection in a safe and accessible environment.
It occupies approximately four acres of land and serves as a shelter for abandoned and abused animals. It is beneficial for visitors, since it provides a spectrum for educational and recreational facilities that serve to highlight information and encourage admiration for wildlife in Guyana. Given that much of the zoo’s infrastructure was designed in the 1950s, it has not since reflected present international standards, hence the Three-Parks initiative.