Cash Bonanza for Chiang Mai Zoo

Panda Cub Helps Rake It In

The Chiang Mai Zoo took in more than Bt1 million last weekend, thanks to the panda cub going on direct public display for the first time.

Panda project chief Prasertsak Boontrakulpoontawee yesterday said 4,078 tickets were sold to visitors wanting to see the cub on Saturday and another 3,779 on Sunday. The number of tickets sold was much higher than the maximum of 2,000 a day that had been expected.

However, he insisted the baby panda's direct display would not be extended even with the long holiday lasting until tomorrow.

"We're concerned about the panda's health and safety, and taking the cub from its mother, Lin Hui, too many times will reduce Lin Hui's trust in her caretakers," Prasertsak said.

The cub weighed 2.07 kilograms yesterday, 40 grams more than on Sunday.

Prasertsak expects her right eye to open in the next two days. Her left eye opened last Saturday, and the cub should see clearly with it soon.

A poll conducted by Chiang Mai's Maejo University showed about 92 per cent of respondents believed the cub's direct public display and activities celebrating its birth helped tourismrelated business in the province.

A total of 1,100 visitors to the zoo were surveyed on Saturday. Of those, 60.5 per cent came from outside of Chiang Mai.

64% said they wanted to buy souvenirs decorated with panda logos. Also, 76.5 per cent wanted to see another direct public display organised after the cub was older and stronger, while 23.5 per cent did not think that was a good idea, due to the risk of infection.

Source: The Nation 7th July 2009