On January 1, 2025, Lahore Zoo visitors faced a steep hike in entry fees, with the cost rising from 100 to 300 rupees.
In addition to the original 100-rupee entry fee, visitors are now charged an extra 200 rupees to access the snake house, leaving many disappointed and opting to leave. One visitor expressed frustration, stating that forcing people to buy tickets for additional attractions was unfair, as they should have the freedom to choose whether to visit the snake house. It’s important to note that the zoo has been privatized, with a private company awarded the contract worth 50 crore rupees.
Following the Lahore Safari Zoo, the Lahore Zoo has also been auctioned off. The contract for entry tickets, parking, and various facilities was awarded for 500 million rupees, significantly higher than the reserve price of 320 million rupees. The successful auction raised 180 million rupees more than anticipated, thanks to strategic efforts by the Lahore Zoo Management Committee and the DG Wildlife. The second-highest bid was 480 million rupees.
The auction included contracts for parking, entry tickets, and attractions such as the aquarium, aviary, virtual reality, and snake house. Entry fees for the zoo are now set as follows: 100 rupees for the zoo, 100 rupees for the aquarium, 200 rupees for the snake house, 100 rupees for the walk-through aviary, 100 rupees for mixed reality, 200 rupees for virtual reality, and 300 rupees for zoo holograms. Parking fees remain separate.
Mudassir Hassan, the Project Director, expressed pride in the auction’s success, attributing it to the strong strategy by the DG Wildlife and the zoo management committee. He also mentioned that future auctions for electric swings, horse rides, jumping castles, and canteen contracts would generate additional revenue for the zoo.
Under the new arrangement, the contractor will be responsible for maintaining machinery, property, and the care of birds, reptiles, and fish in the zoo’s facilities. However, the zoo administration will continue to manage the care and treatment of other animals. The contractor’s staff will handle parking areas and ticket counters, while the zoo staff will manage other operations.
The revamping of Lahore Zoo began under the caretaker government in 2023, with 183 million rupees invested. New animals, birds, and reptiles have been introduced, with plans to bring in more from abroad. The zoo has also launched a new hologram virtual reality feature, costing 20 million rupees, with 60 million rupees spent on construction and 200 million rupees on equipment.
The zoo will be handed over to the private company for a three-year period, starting in January. The contract amount will increase by 10% in the second year. The zoo is expected to attract 2.8 million visitors annually. If visitor numbers exceed this estimate, the contractor will pay 10% of the entry fee for each additional visitor to the zoo administration. The company will also be responsible for utility bills, including electricity.
Authorities have reassured the public that privatization will not lead to higher costs for general visitors. While new attractions will have separate tickets, the basic entry fee remains at 100 rupees, and there will be no increase in parking charges.
