Yadanabon Zoological Gardens, Zoo at the foot of Mandalay Hill, Myanmar
Yadanabon Zoological Gardens is a 55-acre facility at the foot of Mandalay Hill that houses around 300 animals in specially designed habitats. The grounds feature landscaped areas with enclosures for tigers, leopards, elephants, and numerous other species.
The facility opened in 1989 as a starting point for organized wildlife conservation in the Mandalay region. Major improvements to animal enclosures and visitor facilities took place in 2003 to upgrade the overall conditions.
The name Yadanabon comes from traditional Burmese language and means 'jewel of the land', connecting the gardens to local heritage. You can feel this cultural link as you move through the landscaped areas and see how the space reflects regional identity.
The facility sits at the foot of Mandalay Hill and is easily accessible, with shaded areas and walking paths throughout the grounds. Good walking shoes are recommended since the terrain covers a large area with some slopes.
The facility runs specialized breeding programs for the Burmese roofed turtle, a species that has bounced back from near extinction. These conservation efforts have been central to restoring this remarkably rare species.
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