İzmir expects wild money from Sasalı
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hurriyet DailyNews
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Haziran 03, 2009 00:00
İZMİR - Sasalı Natural Wildlife Park is about to hit the one-million visitors mark but the municipality expects even more from the area this summer. With about 1,500 animals from 120 species, Sasalı is touted as one of the world’s largest wildlife parks, and is a center of attraction for children, students, environmentalists and nature lovers.
Sasalı Natural Wildlife Park in İzmir, one of Europe’s largest natural wildlife parks and home to 1,500 free-roaming animals from 120 species, is expected to surpass 1 million visitors in June. The park, one of the prestige investments of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, is attracting visitors from all over Turkey. It lies between the Gediz River and Tuzla Street on 425,000 square meters of land containing 3,000 trees and 250 kinds of plants. With its variety of animals and rich vegetation, the park’s attractions are expected to bring a tourism boom to the city.
Entry a bargain
When the park opened, 60,000 people visited on the first day. The first month drew 500,000 people, and the first six months, 828,000. The park has a capacity for 15,000 visitors at a time. According to park management, with the warming weather, the number of visitors is on the rise. In April, 98,000 people, including 41,774 students, visited the park. As of this year, the entrance fee is 50 kuruş for students and 1.5 Turkish Liras for adults. Before 2009, admission was free.
Visitors have the chance to closely watch the animals in facsimiles of their natural environment. An area comprising 15,000 square meters of open land and 50 sheltered square meters has been built for elephants in the nature park.
For lions, tigers and pumas, a 10,000-square-meter area has been allocated. Monkeys live on two islands, both 6,600 square meters each. Bears and wolves roam a total of 10,000 square meters. Giraffes, zebras and African antelopes all live together in the "African Savannah" section. Wild birds are housed in an area of 500 square meters.
Between 500 and 700 square meters have been allocated for each animal among the five species of deer, wild goats and camels. Swans and ducks swim in a 3,000-square-meter pond area. A further 600 square meters is reserved for visitors to feed parrots.
For domestic animals, including horses, rabbits, chickens, geese and dogs, there is a special garden where children can ride the horses or visit them in their barns. There are also recreational areas for parents who want to enjoy the park along with their children, and an 8,450-square-meter pond at the park’s entrance.
Children can explore watchtowers, tracks and playgrounds in the park. Instead of wires or cages, natural barriers such as creeks or ditches separate human visitors from the animal residents of the park, adding excitement to the interaction. Training and exhibition halls, a lounge, a granary and a 500-space car park are all available to visitors.
Entry a bargain
When the park opened, 60,000 people visited on the first day. The first month drew 500,000 people, and the first six months, 828,000. The park has a capacity for 15,000 visitors at a time. According to park management, with the warming weather, the number of visitors is on the rise. In April, 98,000 people, including 41,774 students, visited the park. As of this year, the entrance fee is 50 kuruş for students and 1.5 Turkish Liras for adults. Before 2009, admission was free.
Visitors have the chance to closely watch the animals in facsimiles of their natural environment. An area comprising 15,000 square meters of open land and 50 sheltered square meters has been built for elephants in the nature park.
For lions, tigers and pumas, a 10,000-square-meter area has been allocated. Monkeys live on two islands, both 6,600 square meters each. Bears and wolves roam a total of 10,000 square meters. Giraffes, zebras and African antelopes all live together in the "African Savannah" section. Wild birds are housed in an area of 500 square meters.
Between 500 and 700 square meters have been allocated for each animal among the five species of deer, wild goats and camels. Swans and ducks swim in a 3,000-square-meter pond area. A further 600 square meters is reserved for visitors to feed parrots.
For domestic animals, including horses, rabbits, chickens, geese and dogs, there is a special garden where children can ride the horses or visit them in their barns. There are also recreational areas for parents who want to enjoy the park along with their children, and an 8,450-square-meter pond at the park’s entrance.
Children can explore watchtowers, tracks and playgrounds in the park. Instead of wires or cages, natural barriers such as creeks or ditches separate human visitors from the animal residents of the park, adding excitement to the interaction. Training and exhibition halls, a lounge, a granary and a 500-space car park are all available to visitors.