AustCham, Embassy Support Refurbishment of Beijing Zoo
By Ran (Kathy) Li
| AustCham Beijing last week joined with the Australian Embassy in
supporting Beijing Zoo through Hong Kong’s Golden Bird Foundation. Funds provided by the Embassy and AustCham were used by Beijing Zoo for the refurbishment of an exhibit housing some of China’s top-level protected primate species. AustCham Beijing Chairman, Roger Wolfe and secretariat staff traveled to Beijing Zoo for the opening of the exhibit. The donation facilitated the development of enclosures more closely matching inhabitants’ natural environments, as well as other features aimed at promoting animal health. During the visit, AustCham met with Zoo Director, Wu Zhao Zheng and Deputy Researcher Director, Zhang Jinguo. Zoo staff conducted a tour of the new exhibit before the official opening ceremony. |
AustCham’s funds were used to plant suitable vegetation in each enclosure, as well as installing equipment to control temperature and humidity. The funds were also used for the installation of low-impact lighting systems. The systems will ensure enclosures are more similar to animals’ natural rainforest environments. These refurbishments are not only important for animal health, but also contribute to the environmental education programs run by the zoo.
“Beijing Zoo’s environmental education program is particularly important as the children being educated now are China’s future leaders,” said Roger Wolfe. “Children have a strong influence over other sections of society, particularly their parents, who are the main decision makers in today’s society.”
Beijing Zoo director Wu Zhaozheng noted that other recent refurbishments had been conducted with the assistance of Melbourne Zoo and said that international cultural exchange is also an important element of the zoo’s education program. “We value not only the zoological exchange between Australia and China, but also the communication of each other’s culture,” Wu said.
