Seoul Grand Park Zoo and Theme Garden to Close One Hour Earlier Starting Next Month 1

Viewing hours are from 9 AM to 6 PM from March to October, and until 5 PM from November to February

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul Grand Park announced on the 26th that starting March 1, it will move the closing times of the zoo and theme garden one hour earlier than before to enhance animal welfare and prevent safety accidents.

The Seoul Grand Park Zoo and Theme Garden are paid admission areas open year-round, requiring rest time for the animals. The ecological explanation sessions for each animal enclosure end at 4:30 PM, and some animals move indoors before 6 PM, making it difficult to see them after 6 PM. Additionally, to promote animal welfare, lighting is minimized after sunset, making it dark and challenging to see or move around the animals after sundown.

The new operating hours have been adjusted to match the average sunset time, moving closing times one hour earlier in both summer and winter seasons. From March to October, visiting hours are 09:00 to 18:00, and from November to February, 09:00 to 17:00.

Long visiting hours can cause stress to animals due to noise from visitors’ conversations, announcements, and lift operations. The decision was made by referencing operating hours of domestic and international zoos. For example, Moscow Zoo in Russia, Ueno Zoo in Japan, and Cheongju Zoo in Korea designate closure days. Leading international zoos operate until before 6 PM in summer and before 5 PM in winter. Similarly, domestic zoos such as Children’s Grand Park, Jinyangho, Cheongju, Daejeon O-World, and Gwangju Uchi Zoo follow this schedule.

Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine measures within the zoo have also been strengthened. In front of the zoo’s main entrance ticket booth, floor markers and barrier posts guide social distancing to minimize crowding, and inside the zoo, efforts are made to prevent people from gathering in one place. Thorough disinfection of animal enclosures and viewing paths is conducted to prevent transmission to animals. The change in closing times is also expected to help implement social distancing measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

The adjusted closing times apply only to the paid zoo and theme garden areas, while the free-access park areas remain open for walking at any time.

Park Director Lee Soo-yeon said, “We have moved the closing time one hour earlier to ensure safe returns before sunset and to improve animal welfare,” adding, “The one hour of consideration from visitors will help provide sufficient rest for the animals, allowing us to see happier animals.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.