Visiting Bangkok’s Pata Zoo, now known for Cher’s attempt to rehome resident gorilla.

Visiting Pata Zoo in Bangkok shortly before COVID-19. The gorilla Bua Noi is not the only animal that needs a new home.

Updated: December 15, 2020

Cher recently made a plea for the rehoming of the gorilla Bua Noi. Brought to Thailand in 1988, the gorilla lived nearly her entire life behind bars and glass in this dilapidated zoo above a shopping mall in Bangkok. I first heard about the Pata Zoo a few years ago and in an effort to bring more attention to it, I showed up with my Sony Alpha camera hidden in my bag. To avoid being identified as press, most of my photos were quick shots and unfortunately not the best quality. I apologize in advance for any blurry images.

The owner of the zoo, Kanit Sermsirimongkol, has on numerous occasions affirmed that the animals are not mistreated. The zoo, however, was in poor condition by any standard including a multitude of fat rats scurrying along in broad daylight. The animals were kept in enclosures of concrete and metal fencing or bars, and all showed signs of boredom or distress (pacing or rocking).

Another unfortunate fact about the zoo is that for a few dollars anyone could buy a bucket of bananas to feed animals through the fencing (excluding the gorilla which was behind glass). This sort of human-animal interaction should never happen with animals in captivity.

For full disclosure, these are photos and my experience are from 2019 so I cannot speak for the state of the zoo today or the current health of the animals. There was an unconfirmed rumor that some animals may have been transferred however I am not aware if it was before or after I visited. If you have any information I would be happy to publish updates.

Zoos and aquariums remain controversial in the minds of many people yet they play many crucial roles. From breeding programs, to providing homes for animals who are injured or can no longer live in the wild, to adding to our knowledge of psychology and health of wildlife. In my 39 years on earth, I remember many other zoos looking like this one when I was a child. Now thanks to activists, press, public pressure, and organizations like the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, many zoos can act as a better refuge for animals with more natural enclosures, regular enrichment, and better feeding and attention to care. The Pata Zoo, unfortunately is far from meeting basic standards.

See more images from animals at the Pata Zoo here below: