LAHORE: Lahore Zoo, like on previous Eid days, remained the most happening place in the city, with thousands of visitors flocking there despite the scorching June heat.

Zoo Director Hassan Ali, talking to Dawn on Saturday showed jubilation over the massive turnout of visitors to the captive breeding facility despite harsh weather. “ The visitors number despite blazing sun gradually increased from the first day of Eid from 25,774 to the third day of Eid when it touched 56,497”.

Mr Ali said usually if there was a rain spell one would expect around 70, 000 visitors on the first day of Eid, however, amidst scorching heat one did not expect more than 30,000 to 40,000 visitors on the first and second days of the festive occasion. This year, the turnout was surprising, he added.

According to officials figures, on the first day of Eid the zoo generated an income of Rs922,700, on the second day when some 56,499 people visited the zoo, it earned Rs1951,360 and on the third and final day of Eid holidays its income was Rs1944,880.

Other recreational spots in the city, such as Race Course and Model Town parks, started receiving visitor’s bulk mostly in the afternoon, but the zoo started witnessing considerable influx of visitors right from the morning, said the director.

Mentioning the condition of animals and birds during Eid holidays, zoo veterinarian Dr Rizwan said: “All the animals and birds remained healthy, except a white tiger who has skin infection. The big cat is on medication and has considerably recovered from the infection.”

Eid, Dr Rizwan said, also brought a happy news for the zoo as on its last day a fallow deer, an exotic species from Europe, gave birth to a fawn. With the addition, the total number of fallow deer at the zoo had reached nine; one male, four females and four fawns.

About the impact of sweltering heat on the birds in captivity, Dr Rizwan said such weather obviously affected them and that was why the birds were being given vitamin C and glucose on a daily basis as summer supplements in their drinking water. The aviary, he said, had been covered with green shades to keep the inside temperature on the cooler side.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2019