Botanical Gardens to get large, modern zoo this year

Last Updated on Monday, 3 February 2025, 18:56 by Writer

Guyana is this year spending GY$2 billion on a complete overhaul and expansion of the Zoological Park in the Botanical Gardens, Minister of Governance Gail Teixeira said Monday during consideration of the 2025 National Budget estimates of expenditure.

Responding to APNU+AFC parliamentarian, Christopher Jones’ question about how the GY$2.8 billion for the National Parks Commissions would be spent, she said GY$2 billion would be used to upgrade the zoological park. “This means that most of it will take over the Botanical Gardens as you know it,” she told the House Committee of Supply.

The minister said the project would include a habitat for animals, a training school, nature school among other facilities aimed at educating young children and adults about climate resilience and wildlife protection.

She said designs have already been provided to the government.

Meanwhile, she said GY$600 million has been allocated for the planting of trees in urban parks to increase Guyana’s carbon coverage under the Low Carbon Development Strategy.

Zoning, guardrails, water supply, modernisation of concessionaire area, security outposts, washrooms, administrative building and rehabilitation of the storage facility as well as several pieces of equipment to maintain the park would attract an allocation of GY$200 million. “I think the most fascinating thing in the budget, which I’ve always longed for and personally I’m delighted about: the upgrading of the zoological park,” Ms Teixeira said.

The price tag for the project comes months after Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo held a public consultation on the future of the zoo.