From Simple Viewing to a "Site of Respect for Life": Surge in Uchi Zoo Visitors

110,000 Visitors in the First Quarter, Double Last Year’s Figure

Public Engagement Grows Through Rescue Stories, Treatment, and Animal Welfare

The number of citizens visiting Gwangju Uchi Zoo is on the rise. As the zoo has shifted its operation from simply focusing on viewing animals to publicly sharing the processes of rescue, treatment, and recovery, observers note that its role is expanding into a "site of life education."

According to Gwangju City on April 23, the number of visitors to Uchi Zoo in the first quarter of this year reached approximately 110,000, more than double the figure from the same period last year (50,000). The annual number of visitors last year also increased 1.4 times year-on-year, reaching 310,000. The city anticipated that if this trend continues, the total number of visitors this year could exceed 400,000.

Gwangju Uchi Zoo. Photo by Bohyun Song

The increase in visitors is attributed to the zoo's new operational approach, which shares the processes of animal rescue, treatment, and recovery with the public. Educational programs centered on surgeries performed on endangered animals with disabilities, along with a memorial space for Hippo the hippopotamus, have established themselves as venues delivering messages about respect for life. The commentary program "The Man Who Lives with Animals," featuring veterinarians and zookeepers, has also attracted attention as a program sharing on-site experiences.

Since its designation as the Honam region’s central zoo in June of last year, Uchi Zoo has expanded its public animal medical services. The zoo supports animal medical treatment and surgeries in areas such as Haenam, Yeosu, Suncheon, and Jeju, and during the wolf escape incident at Daejeon O-World, it promptly dispatched veterinarians to the site.

Citizens visiting Uchi Zoo are gathered around the viewing area to listen to the explanation for the interpretive program “The Man Living with Animals.” Provided by Gwangju City

Rescue activities are also ongoing. The zoo is currently protecting four farmed bears rescued from bile extraction facilities, and "Seokgomi," rescued in 2022, has successfully adapted after being introduced to other bears. "Hogwang-i," a Bengal tiger rescued in Bucheon, is undergoing medical training, and animals injured through smuggling or abandonment are also being transferred to the zoo for protection. In this process, the zoo also successfully performed the nation's first vasectomy on a snake.

Amid these changes, Uchi Zoo received the Excellence Award at the 7th Korea Animal Welfare Awards and ranked fourth in the citizens' vote at the "2025 Gwangju Metropolitan City Policy Evaluation Contest."

Sung Changmin, Director of Uchi Park Management Office, stated, "By sharing the processes of rescue, treatment, and recovery with citizens, empathy for respect for life is leading to an increase in visitors," adding, "We will continue to strengthen our animal welfare and educational functions."

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