The Leofoo Village Safari Park, the first natural habitat zoological garden in Southeast Asia, and the 40th in the world, was formally opened on Aug. 10 this year at Kuanshi near Hsinchu in northern Taiwan. In traditional zoos, animals are locked in cages for people to look at. In a safari park, it is the people who are enclosed in vehicles while they watch the animals running wild.

Before the opening of the Leofoo Safari Park, there were only three zoos in Taiwan--in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Hsinchu. All of them were relatively small and filled with animals not in their prime of life and health. But in the Leofoo Safari Park, the freedom given to the animals as they roam at will, keeps them in peak condition. For men and animals alike, the safari park concept is superior to the old idea of zoos made of concrete and metal bars.

The safari park, located in a mountain area about an hour's drive from Taipei, is 13 times the area of the Taipei Yuanshan Zoo, and 11 times bigger than the Taipei New Park. It is located in a mountain area covered with trees and long grass which provide an ideal habitat for the animals. The idea of establishing the park first came to Chuang Fu, board chairman of the Leofoo Village Co. when he visited a similar facility in Japan three years ago, and was deeply impressed. "The natural environment should not be monopolized by man," he contends. "Wild animals also have a right to exist. The purpose of the safari park is therefore to provide a place of education and recreation for our countrymen, and to awaken man's respect for the dignity of life by enjoying the beauty and grace of these wild animals in their natural surroundings."

The park is stocked with 1,100 animals imported from the United States, Japan, Argentina, Kenya, South Africa and Sierra Leone, valued at US$1.2 million. Included are six African elephants, nine white rhinos, 14 zebras, five giraffes, 30 lions, 14 Bengal tigers, 12 American black bears, eight southern European goats, two camels, 24 ostriches, four secretary birds, 500 guinea fowl, 80 flamingoes, 19 peafowl, 16 swans, 50 mandarin ducks, and a host of other birds and animals. Many of these animals are on view in Taiwan for the first time, and the Leofoo Park management plans to import many more new species in the future.

The park is divided into three areas, housing carnivorous, herbivorous and tame animals respectively. Visitors must drive their cars or take tour buses into the first two areas. Windows must be kept closed, however, since some of the animals are dangerous. Maximum speed is 25 kilometers an hour, and animals have the right-of-way at all times. Horn-blowing and feeding the animals are forbidden. In the tame animal section, however, people are allowed out of their cars and may even stroke or fondle such creatures as sheep, ponies and camels.

Mr. Chuang Fu is not satisfied with the scope of the present park, and plans to establish an African-style restaurant, hotel, animal hospital, children's playground, museum, aquarium and an open theater. Extra attractions such as dolphin and flamingo shows, sheep shearing demonstrations and camel and elephant riding are also planned for the future.

On the first Sunday after the park opened, thousands or people from all over Taiwan flocked to the area, and the access road was blocked for 20 kilometers. This demonstrates that the people of the Republic of China have the prosperity, freedom and leisure time to engage in constructive and meaningful recreation.

[Picture Caption]

1. An African-style restaurant. 2. In the tame animals section, people are allowed out of their cars, and may even stroke or fondle the animals. 3. Posing for a picture with lion cubs is a highlight of any visit to the tame animal section. 4. In the near future, flamingo shows will be an extra attraction in the park. 5. Goats passing over a suspension bridge. 6. Domestic sheep from the U.S.

1. Tigers watch the tourists passing by. 2. Alaskan bears love to frolic in the water. 3. Baboons are skilled tree-climbers. 4. The awe-inspiring King of the Animals. 5. Tigers may sometimes fight for their territory or mates. 6. Leopards.

1. Zebra 2. Camel 3. An ostrich struts by in the herbivorous animal area. 4. Gnu 5. African elephants 6. White rhinoceros.

In the tame animals section, people are allowed out of their cars, and may even stroke or fondle the animals.

Posing for a picture with lion cubs is a highlight of any visit to the tame animal section.

In the near future, flamingo shows will be an extra attraction in the park.

Goats passing over a suspension bridge.

Domestic sheep from the U.S.

Tigers watch the tourists passing by.

Alaskan bears love to frolic in the water.

Baboons are skilled tree-climbers.

The awe-inspiring King of the Animals.

Tigers may sometimes fight for their territory or mates.

Leopards.

Zebra.

Camel.

An ostrich struts by in the herbivorous animal area.

Gnu.

African elephants.

White rhinoceros.