LAHORE — Lahore Zoo is set to offer visitors a new and exciting experience as it prepares to introduce night-time visits from next month, with extended hours, special lighting arrangements and weekend entertainment, officials said on Sunday.
Director General of the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department, Mobeen Elahi, confirmed that the initiative, likely to begin in February, will allow visitors to explore selected areas of the zoo after sunset. The move is aimed at enhancing public engagement and providing a family-friendly recreational option in the city.
According to Mr Elahi, only specific sections of the zoo will be accessible during night hours. These include the lion enclosures, the Reptile House, the fish aquarium and the Hologram Zoo. He said these areas were chosen carefully, keeping animal welfare in mind. “Only those enclosures housing nocturnal animals will be opened at night to minimise stress caused by noise and lighting,” he explained.
To enhance the overall experience, the zoo will feature ambiance lighting across key areas such as the food court, lake, trees and the hill located within the premises. Children visiting the zoo at night will also be entertained with puppet shows, while live music performances will be organised on weekends to attract larger crowds.
The zoo will remain open until 9pm during night visits. However, ticket prices will vary depending on the day. While weekday tickets are expected to be moderately priced, weekend entry fees will be higher due to additional attractions such as live music and puppet shows. Final ticket rates for night visits, particularly for weekends, are yet to be finalised by the wildlife department.
Addressing concerns about affordability, Mr Elahi said the standard zoo entry fee remains Rs100, which allows visitors to explore the entire zoo during regular hours. He noted that additional facilities such as the Hologram Zoo, Reptile House and fish aquarium currently require separate tickets, a practice that will continue.
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In addition to extended hours, plans are underway to revamp the zoo’s food court. Mr Elahi said the facility would eventually be outsourced to an international food chain, while bids from local food vendors have already been invited through a transparent tendering process.
Sources within the department revealed that the concept of the night zoo has been inspired by similar initiatives at international attractions, including the Singapore Zoo.
Night zoo to remain open to visitors till 9pm, except Saturdays and Sundays. https://t.co/KQ6IdUC4U8
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The introduction of night-time visits marks a significant shift in how Lahore Zoo engages with the public, promising a unique blend of education, entertainment and recreation while maintaining a focus on animal welfare.
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