KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — Kaohsiung's Shoushan Zoo (壽山動物園), a popular wildlife attraction in Taiwan's southern port city, announced Monday (June 23) that it will waive admission fees for all children under 12 throughout the summer season while extending its weekend operating hours until 6:30 p.m. Zoo officials unveiled plans to enhance visitor experiences with several seasonal attractions, including an eye-catching inflatable meerkat art installation designed specifically for the summer months.
The zoo's summer program will feature several new animal residents arriving in July from Leofoo Village Theme Park (六福村), one of Taiwan's largest amusement parks known for its safari zone. Visitors will have the opportunity to see bison "Amei" (阿梅), a pair of Bengal tigers named "Asheng" (阿生) and "Erniu" (二妞), and an African lion called "Bulei" (布蕾). Zoo educators have scheduled informative keeper talks adjacent to the Bengal tiger and African lion enclosures at 10 a.m. on July 27 and August 10, designed to deepen public understanding of these magnificent predators and their conservation needs.
Kaohsiung's Department of Tourism Director-general Kao Min-lin (高閔琳) revealed that the zoo has established a partnership with the Taiwan Insect Museum (台灣昆蟲館), a specialized educational institution dedicated to entomology, to present a special exhibition throughout the summer. This collaboration will include expert-led lectures scheduled for every Saturday and Sunday during July and August. Kao also highlighted upcoming entertainment options, noting that the zoo's Water Plaza (親水廣場), an open-air gathering space, will host lively performances on August 9 and 10 featuring an array of street performers and family-oriented entertainers designed to appeal to visitors of all ages.
To address potential transportation challenges, zoo officials recommend that visitors utilize public transportation options by parking near Kaohsiung Metro (高雄捷運), the city's rapid transit system, specifically at Yanchengpu Station (鹽埕埔站), and then completing their journey on Bus No. 56 due to limited parking facilities at the zoo itself. The summer program will also feature a community engagement opportunity on July 18, when the zoo will host an animal adoption event designed to foster public participation in wildlife conservation efforts. This initiative allows individuals and families to symbolically adopt animals, with proceeds supporting enhanced animal care and habitat improvements throughout the facility. ◼