Khao Kheow Open Zoo

Zoo in Thailand

Khao Kheow Open Zoo (Thai: สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว) is a large zoo in Si Racha, Thailand.^[1][2] It covers an area of about 2,000 acres and contains more than 8,000 animals from more than 300 species.^[3]

History

Residence camp inside Khao Kheow Open Zoo

Flamingo at Khao Kheow Open Zoo

The Khao Kheow Open Zoo was established in 1974 with an area of about 200 acres in the foothills of Khao Kheow Mountain due to the increasing number of animals in the Dusit Zoo.

In 1978, the zoo was opened to the public. In 1984, the Zoological Park Organization under Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment allowed on expansion of the area to about 1000 acres. Subsequently, the Thai government decided to expand the area about 800 acres more to support education and research about the environment of wildlife.^[4]

The zoo is famous for offering visitors the chance to see the animals up close, whether by renting a golf cart, driving a car or walking through the exhibits.^[5]

In July 2024, a baby pygmy hippopotamus named Moo Deng was born at the zoo. She quickly became a viral Internet meme and boosted the number of visitors.^[6]

Zones

The zoo is divided into several thematic zones.^[7]

• African Savannah This section is designed to be habitat and environment like the animal’s natural in Africa habitat. Many animals live in the same area such as Grant's zebras, impalas, springboks, East African oryxes, giraffes, white rhinoceros, and South African ostriches. This zone is two acres in size and visitors can feed many of the animals.
• Khao Kheow Night Safari This zone is for visitors who want to explore and experience the zoo after sunset. After dark, visitors can hear the night time sounds of animals and get the atmosphere of a wild night.
• Cats Complex Park This park consists of a collection of graceful and nimble wild animals in the cat family. Visitors can observe 48 species of varying size in eight enclosures that cover a total area of 40 acres. Each enclosure area has each species nature habitats, for example, grasslands, desert, lands, woodlands, wetlands, and mountains.^[8]
• Walk Through Aviary Visitors can walk through the aviary area while being surrounded by more than 80 different species of birds. The aviary covers two acres and is decorated with streams, ponds, waterfalls, and many plants.
• Eld’s Deer Park The deer park zone is more than an acre in size.

References

1. "Zoos in Thailand - Khao Kheow Open Zoo". www.sawadee.com. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
2. "Khao Kheow Open Zoo - Attractions in Pattaya". www.pattayaconcierge.com. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
3. สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว ที่เที่ยวชลบุรี ตะลุยดูความน่ารักเหล่าสัตว์โลกอย่างใกล้ชิด
4. "khao kheow Open Zoo - Pattaya Tourist Attractions Thailand". whampoah.com. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
5. ซอฟต์พาวเวอร์ของแทร่! ‘หมูเด้ง’ เซเลปเขาเขียว คนแห่มาชมความน่ารัก ทำสวนสัตว์เขาเขียวรถติดยาว
6. "Pygmy hippo calf captures hearts at Khao Kheow Open Zoo; fans show interests in pants". Pattaya Mail. 2024-09-10. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
7. "Khao Kheow Open Safari | Wildlife Tours". www.treetopasia.com. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
8. "Greater flamingos at Khao Kheow Open Zoo สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว". kkopenzoo.com. Retrieved 19 October 2016.

13°12′50″N 101°03′36″E / 13.214°N 101.060°E / 13.214; 101.060