Eco Safari, an effective model of livestock farming combined with tourism

On weekends, Eco Safari, a mini zoo located on National Highway 61C, Nhon Thuan Hamlet, Nhon Nghia Commune, Phong Dien District, Can Tho City, bustles with hundreds of visitors. 

Nestled within the over 10-hectare Can Tho Eco Resort, Eco Safari spans 1 hectare and nurtures over 10 animal species with approximately 200 individuals, including deer, goats, sheep, ostriches, pheasants, peacocks, turkeys, quails, starlings, teals, civets, and rabbits. This new service, launched by Can Tho Eco Resort in early July 2024, offers a fresh summer attraction for tourists.

To maintain a green space and create a natural, semi-wild environment for the animals, the zoo is interspersed with various fruit trees like mango, papaya, star apple, and mulberry. Additionally, Eco Safari showcases the agricultural and rural characteristics of the Southwest region of Vietnam.

Early in the morning, a team of three to four staff members makes rounds to clean the pens, cut grass, and feed the animals.

Nguyen Van Hung, the internal supervisor of Can Tho Eco Resort and the technical officer in charge of breeding and veterinary activities at Eco Safari, mentioned that each animal species has its own living habits. To help the animals adapt to the climate conditions of the Mekong Delta, he and his colleagues studied the living habits, dietary needs, and common diseases of each species before developing the zoo. They then designed appropriate enclosures based on the animals' characteristics.

Additionally, after the animals are brought to the zoo, each species is separated and monitored for their health status for 2-3 days. The pens are regularly sprinkled with probiotics to reduce odors and break down animal waste. Outside, the staff clean daily to ensure that visitors to Eco Safari experience a fresh and clean environment.

Speaking about the disease prevention process for the animals, Mr. Hung noted that deer and stags, which are accustomed to living in natural environments, are relatively easy to care for. However, they are prone to blood parasite diseases, making daily deworming a mandatory preventive measure.

When the weather changes, with unpredictable rain and sun like it is now, regularly monitoring forecasts to proactively implement disease prevention measures for the animals is essential. Specifically, Eco Safari periodically collaborates with local livestock and veterinary sectors to implement safe breeding solutions, ensuring all necessary vaccinations are administered.

Visitors to Eco Safari can experience feeding the animals, but they must adhere to rules that prohibit teasing, chasing, or disturbing the animals, creating a friendly environment for their development.

According to Mr. Vo Nguyen Minh Thai, Director of Sales and Communications at Can Tho Eco Resort, the facility currently has a veterinary team of 5-7 members, including one veterinarian, dedicated to caring for the distinctive animals.

This team handles nutrition, health care, regular disease prevention, and daily herding of the animals. In the near future, the facility plans to add more staff, leverage the existing green space, and increase the number of animals to over 20 species.

"Eco Safari can be considered one of the large-scale zoos with a convenient location, attracting the interest of visitors. Although it has only recently begun operations, the initial positive feedback and experiences from both domestic and international visitors show that the model is on the right track and bringing enjoyment," emphasized Mr. Thai.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Vinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine in Can Tho City, stated that the unit is currently reviewing all pet breeding points. For animals of wild origin that fall under the management of the forestry sector, permits from the relevant authorities are required.

As for common livestock, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine in Can Tho City also closely coordinates with local authorities and breeding units to manage quarantine, origin control, and guide disease vaccination according to the list issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.