Foundation stone laid for petting zoo at Puthur Zoological Park

Foundation stone for a petting zoo of global standard was laid at the Puthur Zoological Park here on Tuesday as part of the park’s expansion project. The ceremony was inaugurated online by Speaker A.N. Shamseer, who said the new facility would elevate the zoological park into one of the finest in the world.

“The visitor-friendly design and thoughtfully created animal and bird enclosures will make this a unique experience for both children and adults,” the Speaker said. He added that studies had shown that human interaction with animals could nurture compassion, and expressed hope that the petting zoo would help cultivate empathy among young visitors.

Presiding over the function, Minister for Forests and Wildlife A.K. Saseendran said the Puthur Zoological Park had been designed to develop harmony among wildlife, pet animals, and nature. “By harnessing modern technology and sustainable design, we aim at making this park one of the best of its kind globally,” he said.

Revenue Minister K. Rajan, who is also the local MLA, noted that the construction of the park was now complete. “It’s no longer a question of when the project will be finished. From now on, the park will continue to evolve, adapting and creating new habitats for every species that joins it,” he said.

Presenting the project report, Special Officer K.J. Varghese remarked that while the idea of the Thrissur Zoological Park dates back to over four decades, “it is the past six years of focussed work that has transformed the concept into this world-class attraction.”

Zoo Director B.N. Nagaraj, Assistant Conservator of Forests M.N. Najmal Ameen, Puthur grama panchayat president Mini Unnikrishnan, Nadathara grama panchayat president Srevidya Rajesh, and others attended the event.