HYDERABAD, Nov 23: Children badly missed lion, elephant, crocodiles, giraffe and a few other animals at Rani Bagh’s zoo which was opened for families on Saturday evening after its formal inauguration by Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ibad Khan and handing over to the Qasimabad Taluka Municipal Administration by the Hyderabad district government.

Families have started coming to the refurbished Rani Bagh after about a year. A large number of people, including families, couples and friends in groups were seen strolling on the pathways watching animals in zoo on Sunday. Their number had started increasing in the evening thanks to provision of adequate lighting arrangements which were non-existent until recently.

Children accompanying their parents were visibly excited to see parrots of different species, pony, ostrich, lioness and other animals. But they badly missed elephant, lion, crocodiles and snakes. Several children approached for their views said that these species should have been brought to Rani Bagh because they have heard from their parents that elephant used to entertain people in Rani Bagh. “Birds are very nice but I am sad that I don’t see lion here. And why even crocodiles are not brought here?”, complained a visitor.

Samina Aftab, who came here from Karachi, was also delighted to see that Rani Bagh has been renovated to such an extent. But she was critical of the fact that people won’t take care of this infrastructure and would feel free to pollute the place. “They should take care of it”, she said.

A bearded man quipped that the pathways are good to provide an opportunity to people for brisk walk. A team of a private English learning institute was enjoying in the zoo along with their head, Ahmed Ali Dal. The students were busy singing different Sindhi folk songs and attracted other people to gather around them on the lawn. “We came here for our weekly outdoor class as part of our course. Since Rani Bagh has been re-opened again so we opted to visit this place”, Dal said.

A young Safa who was there with her cousins and maternal uncle was too delighted to see pony, zebra and colour parrots. But she couldn’t help expressing her disappointment that elephant and fox are not there. “I liked the park but more species should be brought here”, said Safa, who studies in fifth grade.

Various families believe that some eateries should be allowed inside the park and more drinking water outlets are needed because the area has become too big for people. They will certainly need some food and water during their stroll and visit. A free entry has been allowed for visitors but parking fee is being charged. In some cases well-connected people are allowed to drive their vehicles right up to the zoo’s main entrance.

While there were many to express their pleasure over renovation, there were some who found fault with the project’s expenses. There were views that cages are too big for only one pair and then they were told that after breeding the same could become small for these species. Some visitors said that expenditure of Rs150 million is not justified.

Some groups enjoyed sitting in the lawns and taking snacks under bright sunlight. Since there are big grassless patches there, most of the visitors were of the view that lush green lawns will also add to the beauty of the garden provided the tile drainage system that has been laid under during its development works properly.

District government renovated Rani Bagh, Abbas Bhai Park, open air theatre and zoo at a cost of Rs150 million through a consultant in one year time. Now it has been handed over to TMA Qasimabad as the garden fall in TMA’s jurisdiction.