The Phuket Zoo was a zoo located in Phuket, Thailand. It was founded as a private zoo in 1997.[2] The zoo was located near the Mueang Phuket district and the Phuket Bay.[3] The zoo had been embroiled in controversy over its lack of animal welfare standards and allegations of extreme cruelty to animals.[4]
The zoo covered an area of 4.8 hectares (30 rai).[5] It was known for having close encounters with many exotic animals including tigers, monkeys and elephants. The zoo had many sections including areas devoted to crocodiles, elephants and monkeys while also having an aquarium and an orchard garden.
The zoo closed in 2020, with the main reason for this closure being the lack of tourists due to COVID-19.[6]
Animal shows
inside Phuket Zoo
Monkey shows
The monkey show consisted of a macaque monkey doing tricks and then taking pictures with the crowd. Some of the monkey's tricks included riding a bike, dunking a basketball and doing exercises, like push-ups and sit-ups. After that, the monkey walked around with an oil-paper umbrella and took pictures with guests.[7]
Elephant shows
An elephants trunk at the Phuket Zoo
In the elephant shows, a group of Asian elephants performed tricks and then there was the opportunity for the guests to meet the elephants. The elephants started off by doing tricks like kicking a soccer ball and also did dances and races. At times, guests were able to feed the elephants bananas and at the end touch their trunks. The elephants have even be trained to ask for tips. Some people thought the shows were demeaning to the elephants involved. The elephants the zoo had were formerly logging elephants.[8][9]
Crocodile shows
While there were no encounters guests could have with the crocodiles, many guests found the shows entertaining. The highlight was when one of the trainers stuck his head in between the crocodiles mouth.[10]
Exhibits
Aquarium
The zoo had a small aquarium with a variety of fish and marine animals including fresh-water and salt-water fish, turtles, frogs, crabs and lizards. They also had display area showing fishing equipment and techniques of Thailand's fisherman as well as seashells.[11]
Bird Park
The Phuket's Zoo Bird Park had a variety of birds including toucans, peacocks, parrots, hawks, emus and ostriches. Some of the birds were allowed to fly freely in the park.[12]
Animal encounters
As well as the opportunities to meet the animals during the shows, the Phuket Zoo allowed guests to meet some of their other animals. Some of those opportunities include getting to take pictures with and pet a tiger. Formerly, guests could take pictures and touch an orangutan, but she was later confiscated by the police. The experiences were an extra fee.[13]
The Phuket Zoo formerly had an orangutan named, Milo. However, a petition garnished more than 10,000 signatures for her to be removed due to her being forced to take photos and her health struggles. Due to the petition, the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division of the Royal Thai Police and Department of National Parks decided to confiscate her after it appeared she was being kept illegally.
When the authorities came to confiscate Milo, she was not at the zoo. All pictures of her on the zoo's website were also deleted. Later in the week, Milo was found in a small cage in the jungle.
Milo later died the following year of a stroke. Her bad health from her time at the zoo most likely contributed to her passing.[14]
Controversy
While many guests enjoyed their time at the Phuket Zoo, many people found the zoo to be cruel and inhumane.[15]
Disappearance of animals
Some guests[who?] have complained that animals at the zoo including snow leopards and camels disappeared without any word from the zoo. Some people[who?] speculated that the animals may have gotten sick and were sold off before they died.
Monkeys
The macaque monkey used in the monkey shows had a rope around their neck and were forced to do tricks. One exhibit held two monkeys, but one is more aggressive than the other forcing it to become malnourished. One gibbon was even in a staff-member's arms all day and stays in a cage with a lock at night with no room to move.
Elephants
In 2019, a 2-year-old elephant died from injuries he sustained after performing for tourists.[16]
Crocodiles
The crocodile exhibit is highly criticized for being overcrowded, small and dirty. Many people[who?] said the water the crocodiles have is too shallow and is filled with feces. They have also been caught on video being poked at with brooms.
Turtle
A video of a turtle at the Phuket Zoo's Aquarium sparked controversy as its exhibit seemed to be too small for it to move.
Bird Park
Some of the birds in the Bird Park are chained up and some guests[who?] said the bird's cages are too small and overcrowded.
Drugging of animals
Due to the fact many animals have encounters with humans, many guests speculated that the animals were drugged so they don't attack humans.[who?]
Inadequate exhibits
Many of the animal's exhibits, including the ostrich and deer, have no grass, shrubbery or enrichment toys. Even one of the Asiatic black bear's enclosure was just a concrete pit.
Efforts to change or close the Phuket Zoo
PETA has called on the zoo to "Improve the Living Conditions of the Animals..."[4] There are also plenty of petitions online including one on Change.org that call for the closing of the Phuket Zoo.
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