Nakhon Si Thammarat zoo set to close after 40 years of public service
The only public zoo in the upper southern region, Thung Talard in Nakhon Si Thammarat, is to officially end its four-decade-long service at the request of local authorities.
The reasons behind the closure are still unclear, but the zoo was criticised on social-media platforms last month about its hygiene, animal health and living standards.
The request to end the service was initiated by the mayor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, and put forward to the Natural Parks, Wildlife and Plants Department on April 9.
Thung Talard, the only public zoo in the upper region of the South, has been operating for about 40 years.
The department last week ordered the provincial municipality to follow the wildlife-protection law requirement to transfer the animals to other public zoos within 180 days.
A source said Thung Talard officials were currently listing the animals so that the process could be completed within the set period.
The animals are like to be transferred to a public zoo in Songkhla province, he said.