Yadanabon Zoological Gardens

22.006°N 96.100°E / 22.006; 96.100

Yadanabon Zoological Gardens
22.006°N 96.100°E / 22.006; 96.100
Date opened	1989[1]
Location	Mandalay Mandalay Division, Myanmar
Land area	55 acres (0.22 km2)[2]
No. of animals	300 (2003)[1]
Major exhibits	Burmese roofed turtle, Burmese star tortoise

The Yadanabon Zoological Gardens (Burmese: ရတနာပုံ တိရိစ္ဆာန် ဥယျာဉ် [jədənàbòʊɰ̃ təɹeɪʔsʰàɰ̃ ʔṵjɪ̀ɰ̃]) is a zoo in Mandalay, Myanmar. The zoo has nearly 300 animals, including tigers, leopards and elephants,^[1][3] and plays a major part in the conservation program for the highly threatened Burmese roofed turtle (Batagur trivittata).

According to a March 2011 report by a Yangon-based news magazine, the zoo reportedly is under consideration for privatization.^[2]

History

The zoo is located at the foot of Mandalay Hill and opened on 8 April 1989. In 2003, its facilities were upgraded for K500 million (approximately US$500K).^[1] Part of the upgrade program included a dedicated enclosure for the K. trivittata turtle with a larger ground pond, built with emergency funds donated by BTG Studios of Sydney and Allwetterzoo Münster of Germany.^[4]

Burmese roofed turtle

Yadanabon Zoo is notable for playing a significant part in the successful conservation program with the Turtle Survival Alliance for the Burmese roofed turtle (Batagur trivittata). Feared extinct until 2002, and still very rare in the wild, several hundred individuals are now kept at the zoo and a turtle conservation center in Lawkananda Park, Bagan.^[5] Yadanabon Zoo also participate in the breeding program of the highly threatened Burmese star tortoise (G. platynota).^[6]

Photos

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  Yadanabon Zoo
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  Zoo Entrance

References

1. Zin Min (2003-07-07). "Upgrade for Mandalay zoo". The Myanmar Times.
2. "Yadanabon Zoo to be privatized". Bi-Weekly Eleven (in Burmese). Weekly Eleven News. 2011-03-27.
3. Phyo Wai Kyaw (2004-06-28). "Baby elephant finds new home at zoo". The Myanmar Times.
4. Gerald Kuchling (March 2004). "Assurance colony for Kachuga trivittata, update March 2004" (PDF). Asia Turtle Network.
5. Turtle Survival Alliance (8 April 2011). TSA Board Members Inspect the New Facilities in Myanmar. Accessed 27 March 2012.
6. "Trip Report, Myanmar and Cambodia, 20-31 Aug 2006". 2006-08-20. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-04.