LAHORE: Expecting a large number of visitors on Eidul Fitar Lahore Zoo has begun its preparations in respect of public facilities and security.

Zoo on every festive occasion is the most frequently visited place where a multitude of children along with their families come for enjoyment.

The Lahore zoo administration has plans to put on display face painting and stuffed animal stalls. It will set up stalls for providing information about captive breeding of wildlife animals. Some 20 new benches have been placed at different locations in the zoo and five water chillers have been installed as well.

Zoo Deputy Director Mr Zahid told this reporter that a number of steps had been taken for comprehensive Eid arrangements.

`We have installed six walk-through gates,two at the side of Lawrence Garden and four at the main entrance,` he said and added that seven metal detectors had also been given to security guards.

Zoo had 32 CCTV cameras installed some years ago which were upgraded and the faulty ones were replaced with the new gadgets.

Now Lahore Zoo also has an effective communication system with the help of 12 wireless sets. The management has written to police department, bomb disposal squad and Red Crescent to provide the zoo with manpower during Eid days.

After four years, the entire zoo staff has been provided with two sets of new uniforms.

The summer arrangements for animals such as dumping ice blocks, providing shelter and generous water supply to cages are already in place.

Director Lahore Zoo Muhammad Shafgat told this reporter that they were trying their utmost to provide maximum facilities to visitors during Eid days.