Shoushan Zoo Introduction
Shoushan Zoo in Kaohsiung City is the largest public zoo in the southern part of Taiwan, managed by the Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau. It is one of three municipal zoos in Taiwan and is second in scale only to Taipei Zoo. In 2022, the zoo improved the living spaces and outdoor activity areas for animals and established animal-friendly aerial observation corridors, allowing residents of Kaohsiung and tourists to closely observe adorable animals in their daily lives from different perspectives with minimal disturbance. It is an ideal educational place for family leisure, outdoor teaching, and ecological science popularization. The Shoushan Zoo enhances friendly observation of animals and their habitats by softening boundaries with plantings. Aerial walkways wind through the animals' habitats, surrounded by elevated mesh fences that allow visitors to blend in and watch animal interactions from above. Entering the two lofty mountain houses on the sky bridge and the four observation corridors suspended below the sky bridge, visitors can see animals in environments closely resembling their natural habitats through large floor-to-ceiling glass panels. You may witness capybaras leisurely soaking, lions lazily sunbathing, or Formosan black bears scratching trees to relieve itching. The delightful and authentic appearances of various animals make it feel as though you've stepped into their homes, providing a multifaceted experience of their living spaces. After renovation, Shoushan Zoo has become a harmonious place integrating nature, with improved park pathways and roads. A park tram is provided to tour the area. Along the visitor route, engaging videos and informational signs have been installed to help people of all ages deepen their understanding of animal behavior. The water square has transformed into a fun fountain area, with water mist resembling a chimney, allowing children to play water games in the refreshing pool. Additionally, old animal enclosures have been renovated, opening parts of the roofs to introduce sunlight and rainwater, improving ventilation, cleanliness, and drainage functions to create a comfortable living space for the animals. The new star of Shoushan Zoo is the capybara. The zoo has introduced capybaras and mixed them with various herbivores, such as llamas and miniature donkeys. Visitors can enjoy observing the animals' resting behaviors from above or walk down to the exhibition hall for a close-up view at eye level, watching them comfortably eat, sleep, and play in the water in their own homes. Don’t miss the "celebrity animals” at Shoushan Zoo, which are treasures of Kaohsiung, including the Formosan black bear—Bobby, the orangutan couple—A-Hung and Mimi, the dashing white tiger—Zhao Hai, and the elder African elephant—Ali. Visitors can also see the adorable meerkat family, whose every move is sure to melt hearts.
