YANGON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Starting Friday, Myanmar's Yangon Zoological Garden celebrated its 119th anniversary with a three-day event, which attracted a surge of excursion groups, turning the historic zoo into a bustling hub of activity.
Swe Thinzar Hlaing, a teacher at Sunshine International Preschool, said: "We chose the zoo for the excursion because children are interested in animals. At school, they can only see animals in flashcards or books, but here they can see real animals. We also want them to enjoy the experience of a trip with their friends."
"It's important for them to understand that while these are wild animals, they are not necessarily rude, and many of them have been tamed. I want the children to learn kindness towards animals," she said.
Similarly, U Thet Zaw Win, the principal of Myanmar Miracle Education Center, explained the reason for choosing the zoo as a destination for children. "Visiting the zoo provides a valuable opportunity to observe how the animals eat, live and behave," he said.
He added that the trip involved 28 five-year-old students, accompanied by 10 teachers, creating an interactive learning experience for everyone.
Felicity, a teacher at the Hagios International Academy, said: "We arranged a meaningful trip for the students, with the hope that they would enjoy the zoo's 119th anniversary celebration while also learning about animals."
The students observed the animals and linked their observations to the lessons in literature. It is essential for them to understand that living animals depend on each other and to learn to love and show kindness to animals.
Eight-year-old Thiha Min Set, from Hagios International Academy, expressed his excitement, saying, "I'm so happy and excited to be here. I love observing the animals, especially tigers because they are huge, but I also find the tiny animals cute."
"There are so many different kinds of animals including endangered species, and this excursion trip gives me a chance to learn about animals I didn't know before," he said.
The Yangon Zoological Garden, which opened in January 1906, has been an iconic sanctuary for wild animals, an educational hub, and a place for public relaxation, according to its warden Myint Tun.
The zoo, home to over 1,400 animals from 135 species, including mammals, birds, and reptiles, is maintained by over 50 dedicated zookeepers who work to ensure the animals' health and well-being, he said.
On weekdays, the zoo welcomes over 1,000 visitors daily, while on weekends, the number exceeds 5,000, he added. ■
