Chime-Long Night Zoo began its trial run Thursday in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province in south China, becoming the country’s first zoo that reveals animals’ night activities to visitors.
Chime-Long Night Zoo, covering an area of 200 hectares, is said to be the largest zoo of its kind in the world, which currently accommodates more than 200 kinds of nocturnal animals. Some of the 3,000 animals at the zoo came from South America and Africa, and have rarely been seen in other zoos in China.
The zoo was built under the principle of ecological protection. A group of foreign designers led by Bernard Harrission, vice-chairman of the World Zoo Organization, used many natural materials and green plants during the construction work to create an image that looks like real nature.
According to zoologists, 90 percent of animals habitually eat at night, and many even sleep in the daytime and only move at night.
(Xinhua 12/28/2000)
