As an apprehensive friend looks on, a woman gingerly feeds an elephant at Yangon Zoological Gardens last week during celebrations marking its 101st anniversary. Pic: Aye Zaw Myo

YANGON Zoological Gardens celebrated its 101st anniversary with a series of colourful events last week.

The five days of anniversary festivities ending on February 10 follow the enormous success of the zoo’s centenary celebrations last year, which attracted nearly 300,000 visitors.

In a speech on February 6 to open the anniversary celebrations, the Chairman of the Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, Major General Hla Htay Win, said the 58.25-acre zoo was one of the most popular recreation destinations in the city.

“People have relaxed at the zoo for generations,” he said.

Maj Gen Hla Htay Win, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Yangon Military Command said the zoo, which opened in 1906, enjoyed a special place among the estimated 600 zoos throughout Asia because it was one of the oldest.

“It brings prestige for our country,” he said.

Maj Gen Hla Htay Win said the government had since 2003 spent more than K600 million upgrading the zoo, operated by the Forestry Department under the Ministry of Forestry.

He said the increasing number of visitors highlighted the popularity of the zoo. The zoo attracted 2.2 million visitors in 2005-2006, up from 1.8 million the previous year and 1.1 million in 2003-2004.

The head of the zoo’s information and education division, Daw Khin May Thein, said the anniversary events were an effective way of attracting more visitors to the zoo.

The huge crowds during the centenary celebrations last year provided proof that special events helped to attract more visitors, she said.

The anniversary program was organised by the Event Master Co Ltd and placed an emphasis on fun and games.

There were group games in which each participant received a prize, a parade of people dressed as famous Myanmar cartoon characters, and model and dancing shows, said an Event Master staff member, Daw Heymar.

Other activities included performances by trained animals, magicians’ shows and a series of concerts featuring scores of well-known singers. The company also organised more than 200 booths which sold products ranging from refreshments to clothing and fashion accessories.

Yangon Zoological Gardens has about 1100 animals representing more than 150 species.