Nine natural enclosures get glass viewing panels at Bondla zoo

Panaji: In a world-class experience likely to bring visitors closer to nature, Goa’s only zoo, located in the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, introduced a new viewing setup for its visitors after recently being upgraded. The zoo now features nine natural enclosures, each designed with glass viewing panels, allowing visitors to have an immersive experience of observing animals in their habitat without the obstruction of traditional steel cages.
“The new installation is designed to provide a ‘close encounter’ visitor experience as visitors will be able to see the animals easily and up-close through toughened glass that maintains its transparency and clarity. These new enclosures will bring a major shift in the way wildlife is viewed and displayed, providing a more natural and open setting for the animals,” a forest official said.
Covering an area of 7.98sqkm, the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the smallest protected areas in Goa and a paradise for nature lovers due to the presence of the small zoo. The animals, including species like the leopard, jungle cat, jackal, barking deer, four-horned antelope, palm civet, emu, blue and gold macaw, and peafowl are now housed in spacious, open-air enclosures with the glass barriers.
“The glass is made of toughened material, giving visitors the sensation of being right inside the enclosure with the animals, while ensuring safety and security for both humans and wildlife,” the official said. This new style of enclosure not only enhances the aesthetic and educational appeal of the zoo but also prioritises the well-being of the animals. “The earlier enclosures were completely closed, but the new setup is open to the sky, mimicking a more natural habitat,” the official said.
There is a lot of stimuli given to the animals to keep them engaged, such as scattering insects or rodents to simulate their habitat and stimulate hunting. To further enrich the animals’ environment, additional stimuli such as foggers simulating rain drizzle and resting logs simulating tree branches, have been added. “We’ve created spaces that allow the animals to feel more at ease, while giving visitors an enhanced opportunity to observe them in a setting that closely resembles their natural environments,” the official said.
The changes are part of a larger masterplan for the zoo that was approved by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) through to 2042. The phased upgrade is expected to continue with more enclosures and features being added in the upcoming financial year.