Panda-monium at Chiang Mai Zoo
The zoo’s pandas are a star attraction
Much that we’ve tried to ignore all the hubris, it just can’t be avoided; we too are succumbing to the Panda-monium surrounding Chiang Mai’s most famous residents.
Ever since two Pandas arrived at Chiang Mai zoo back in 2003, on loan from China, the city has been inflicted with a black and white Panda-emic that has resulted in panda parades, a panda wedding, fertility rites, panda birthday cakes (made from the tastiest bamboo shoots), even panda pornos were involved, but we’ll get to that in a minute.
The whole city, no, make that the whole country recently, has gone panda-crazy, with souvenirs, books, postcards, apparel and more flooding the shops as the media had a field day over these rare, cuddly looking, bears that are native to China.
And then there were three, and the fever pitch of excitement reached unbearable levels as Lin Hui, the stubborn female of the two finally gave birth to a cub on May 12th. This was after countless attempts to produce an offspring, including showing both adults videos of mating pandas. Eventually after a second attempt at artificial fertilisation, and lots of fun – typical to Thailand – a third panda has arrived.
Make no mistake, this little ball of fluff, weighing a few hundred grammes – and looking more pink than black and white, is going to single handedly revive Chiang Mai’s ailing tourist industry. And we’re not joking. While we did our best to ignore it all, the first long weekend after the birth the city hotels were fully booked as Thais from all over the country came to Chiang Mai especially to see the new panda.
Safely esconded in the state-of-the-art air-conditioned Panda hotel, which was built specially for them at Chiang Mai zoo at a cost of three million baht, the little tyke had to contend with thousands of onlookers who crowded into the zoo to see mother and cub. They have since been withdrawn from public view, but continue to draw the crowds who are content to see the bambino playing around on cctv.
They certainly have been making the press, with a nation-wide naming contest that drew hundreds of thousands of entries. And it’s boosted the fortunes of Chiang Mai’s exemplary zoo. Recently a skytrain was added and three storey car park, so that vehicles can be banned from the sprawling, hilly grounds.
The new cub has been eagerly anticipated
Earlier in the year a world class aquarium was opened in the zoo grounds, boasting the largest collection of freshwater fish in Asia and one of the world’s longest walk through tunnels. No mean feat for a landlocked province.
Chiang Mai zoo has a large collection of native and foreign animals and pretty grounds set among native sub-tropical jungle. It’s an ideal family day out for locals and tourists alike, and is located at the foot of Doi Suithep mountain, just beyond the university entrance.
Among the interesting species who live there are Asian black bears, local dear (which roamed the countryside abundantly when Chiang Mai was founded seven centuries ago), Bengal tigers, Asian Elephants and more. But you can also get a taste of other continents. Numerous safari species such as giraffe, zebra, lion, hippo and buck can be seen at the zoo.
And speaking of Safari, the zoo has competition. Across town is the newer, million dollar Night Safari – one of only two in Asia. They are currently part of a promotion that allows you free entry if you’ve already paid to go to the zoo. The Night Safari is an 800 acre wilderness park where you can see the animals in the wild.
Uniquely, you get to drive in among the animals, some of which roam beside the tram cars. The predators are safely behind natural barriers, but you do get the feeling of being on Safari. This all takes place at night of course, but it’s advisable to arrive at dusk so you have at least an hour of daylight to wander the Jaguar Trial. It’s a two kilometre foot path that circumnavigates the pretty central lake and has zoo-like enclosures around the perimeter.
Although the zoo is easily found on a rented scooter or by taxi, getting to the Night Safari is a different matter, and it’s best to arrange this through a tour operator who will take you to and from the location, southwest of Chiang Mai. But of course, it has no pandas! You’ll have to contend with the special laser and light fountain show that is put on daily at 8pm – it’s far more impressive in our opinion and there’s a lot less attention lavished on it.
Chiang Mai zoo is open daily 8am to 9pm, tel: 053 22 11 79, entrance 100 baht for adults, 50 baht for kids, additional fees for pandas and aquarium (tourist tier pricing applies).
