Seoul Zoo — Attraction in Gwacheon-si

The first things you need to know are actually pretty important if you are not from the Seoul area. This location is approx. 11K from central Seoul. This zoo is also part of Grand Park, a sprawling outdoor area that comprises no less than three or four additional paid attractions, various non-cost (basically, walking) options, and a for-fee tram system. That said, the cost for entry and the cost for the tram are minimal. So, on a good day, you might want to make a while day of it and see the other sites to be had at Grand Park. For my group, this was about the Zoo only (though we had a nice stop for refreshments at the café at the entrance too).

Though its history dates back to the Japanese occupation, this location started construction in the late-1970s. The site shows its age unfortunately. It is very rough around the edges and even in places beyond those corners. But I am happy to see that they are undertaking some extensive renovations that hopefully make this zoo a better place to visit . . . and a better place for the animals as well; as I see it, zoos are a litmus test for how we act as well).

The exhibits show signs of their age. Water damage. Closed or shuttered interior displays. Scuffed and distorted viewing panels. The concessions are in a similar state (not that I used them). The gift shops are quite sad, displaying items for sale that seem like they have been up for display for a decade or more. Exterior and interior walkways have signage that is occasionally non-existent (if you are using a color code, you need to make sure people can see it) or uneven (steps are often loose) if there is a decline or incline (and, at this park there are a lot of those ups and downs). A bright spot? The bathrooms are clean! And the restrooms looking out at the giraffes are an idea I think more zoos should use.

What saves this place? Simply, the animals on display (and, if you like zoos, like I do, you have to admit that) seem healthy and happy. The giraffes had brightly colored fur. The rhinos were thunderously sized and lacking nicks and scars that signal internal scuffles/issues. The primate area was lively and informative, if occasionally in a way that suggests just how ‘wild’ animals are when they can just be themselves! We spent several hours here and found the animals to be acting as they should when they are, as it is, stuck in outdated enclosures that, that said, still provided for living space (and have, in some cases, feeders/minders who show true concern for them).

I can’t imagine what it will cost to update this place. And the updates they are working on seem to be massive . . . and a long time in coming. Do they need digital and QR-based guides? Yup. Do they also need updated lighting and more multi-lingual signage? Ditto. And steps that don’t shift under your weight and color-coded maps that actually match the scuffed and weathered paths? Certainly.

Thing is, we left satisfied. We saw quite a bit in our three hours there and saw a lot of seemingly content animals. But, I always want more for them. And I also think I deserve more. Answer to this quandary? Charge more and provide more. Or, more specifically, make the tram free and increase the zoo fee by double, if not triple or quadruple.

Qualified...

If you have the option, come early and on a workday day. Else, you would be in a constant danger of being mowed over with strollers and wagons, and the whole place would become a minefield of kids just running around. Buy tickets in advance, not only for the zoo entry but also for any of the rides you wish to take. It will save you time. Just don't forget to exchange your voucher (or QR code) at the kiosk for a paper ticket before queueing for the ride.

The zoo is quite big, so there's an option to wait for the bus, which runs in a circle and has multiple stops. There's multiple strategically placed food courts, and toilets are on each corner. The accessibility could be a bit better, to be honest.

When it comes to the enclosures, I think this is the best Korea can do. Korea just treats animals differently, and I have a really hard time coming to terms with it. Oftentimes, the enclosures are just plain cement and empty spaces. Or cages with no toys, no greens. This zoo is a mix of both. Some enclosures look good, some are meh. Like the one with the alligators in it. Poor animals had no water in their enclosure, and one of them was looking extra derpy, almost dead like. Some animals seemed to be droopy and some pacing nervously. Behaviours in animals I've unfortunately seen in Korean zoos before.

Lots of the bird enclosures were closed when we visited, such as Birds of Prey and Peafowl village. The birds were still there, you just couldn't go in. There was no notice on their website about it, which made me a bit sad since I researched it prior to coming here. Lots of enclosures are also designed in a weird way, where you have to stand in one spot with group of other people, squishing together, because around the fence are planted bushes over which you can't see anything. Now imagine you are in a wheelchair.

Also, nothing says "save the animals" like souvenir shops full of plastic toys and other plastic knick knacks which people kept losing around the park. Not to mention, I saw about two rats. Never in my life have I seen rats just parading around the enclosures, and I've been in...

Visiting this zoo was a disheartening experience. It's clear that animal welfare is not a priority here. Many enclosures are small, barren, and fully cemented, with no outside shelter from the sun and no enrichment or stimulation for the animals. There is little to no effort made to replicate a natural habitat.

The most heartbreaking were the orangutans and chimpanzees. Their fur was matted, and they looked utterly defeated-sitting listlessly in corners or covering their heads with bags. It was difficult to watch and left me fighting back tears. These animals showed clear signs of emotional and physical neglect.

In one building with birds and crocodiles, rats were running around freely.. Unsanitary and disturbing given the already poor conditions.

Several other enclosures appeared empty, adding to the eerie atmosphere of neglect.

I originally came for the botanical garden, which was decent but partly shut down. In hindsight, I regret supporting this zoo financially. There are better botanical gardens elsewhere-ones that don't come at the cost of animal suffering

This zoo is in urgent need of reform. If it cannot provide a basic standard of care, it should not be operating. At the very least, it must start investing in proper facilities, enrichment, and ethical treatment. Animals deserve space, stimulation, and dignity-not...