Anniversary Celebration: 120th anniversary of Yangon Zoo celebrated

The 120th anniversary of Yangon Zoo was celebrated on January 31 at the zoo in Mingalataungnyunt Township of Yangon Region.

Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein gave an opening speech. The event featured musical performances by artists, and presentation on the zoo's operations. Founded in 1901 with 240,000 Kyats of public funds, the Yangon Zoological Gardens was developed on 61 acres of cleared virgin land.

The zoo officially opened on January 25, 1906, and was initially named Victoria Memorial Park and Zoological Gardens in honor of Queen Victoria. The zoo's rich history continues to be a part of its charm, and today, it houses two important museums, the Natural Museum, opened on May 1, 1966, and the Elephant Museum, which opened on March 3, 2019. The impressive numbers of fauna and flora highlight the zoo’s dedication to preserving a variety of wildlife and plants, offering both educational and recreational experiences for visitors.