PESHAWAR
Laughter, excitement, and the sounds of children filled the air at Peshawar zoo on the second day of Eidul Azha as thousands of families from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa thronged the sprawling wildlife park for recreation and entertainment.
Children accompanied by parents and guardians eagerly explored the zoo, marveling at rare wild animals including lions, bears, zebras, giraffes, eagles, camels, falcons, and African snakes housed in carefully designed natural-style enclosures.
At the entrance, giant elephant and giraffe statues welcomed visitors and quickly became favorite photo spots for families arriving through Rahatabad Road near university of Peshawar.
Twelve-year-old Malaika Bibi, an eight-grade student from Nowshera, could barely contain her excitement after seeing wild animals up close for the first time.
“Seeing a cobra snake, lion, falcons, and giraffe with my own eyes was my dream,” she said with a bright smile. “Big thanks to my father for fulfilling my childhood dream today.”
Malaika said she was particularly impressed by the arrangements and facilities provided by the Wildlife Department for visitors.
Like Malaika, thousands of children and families from Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Mohmand, Kohat, Mardan, and Khyber districts spent hours at the zoo during the Eid holidays, enjoying both the wildlife and recreational facilities there.
The giraffes, lions, falcons, pheasants, cranes, parrots, reptiles, and bears remained major attractions for visitors, while sprawling green lawns and food stalls added to the festive atmosphere.
Wildlife experts stationed at different sections briefed visitors about animal species and urged families not to tease or throw objects at animals.
Established on 29 acres near the University of Peshawar, the zoo is considered one of the largest wildlife facilities in Pakistan and houses a wide variety of local and exotic species in near-natural habitats.
The falcon enclosure drew special attention from wildlife lovers and students, where large brown and black eagles fascinated crowds throughout the Eid days.
Visitors also enjoyed safari bus rides, train rides, camel rides, swings, and other recreational activities that doubled the joy of children celebrating Eid holidays.
Professor Dr. Naveed Farooq, who visited the zoo with his daughters from Nowshera, described the facility as a great gift for the people of Peshawar.
“In the past, we had to travel to Islamabad or Lahore to entertain our children at zoos,” he said. “This year, we stayed in Peshawar because this zoo offers almost the same excitement and educational experience.”
He said falcons were his children’s favorite attraction besides cobra snake. “My children have always been fascinated by falcons, and that is why we came here especially to see them closely,” he added.
Dr. Naveed also emphasized the educational importance of the zoo for students of zoology and wildlife studies.
“It is not just a place of entertainment, but also a valuable source of learning and research for students who previously had to travel to other cities for research studies,” he said.
While appreciating the facility, he stressed the need for improved care arrangements for animals, including shaded shelters, tree plantation, cold water supply, and round-the-clock veterinary services.
“Special attention should be given to staff training and medical care of animals according to international standards,” he said, suggesting the establishment of a testing laboratory within the zoo premises for timely treatment of diseases.
Visitors from Punjab’s Attock district were also seen enjoying the Eid festivities at the zoo, reflecting the growing popularity of the facility beyond provincial boundaries.
Many families said the zoo had become a symbol of healthy entertainment and social harmony, bringing together people from different regions, cultures, and languages.
Wildlife experts appealed to visitors to help keep the zoo clean and cooperate with staff to protect the animals and maintain the facility for future generations.
