| Unknown by many tourists, Cambodia boasts of a rich | | | | zoo is drastically different from others in the region as |
| variety of wildlife including many that are endemic to | | | | all animals enjoy being in large compounds that closely |
| the region. Though it is not one of the country's major | | | | mimic their natural habitat. One is left in awe of the |
| tourist attractions, the country has been recognized as | | | | majestic tiger prowling around in its enclosure while the |
| one of the region's bio diversity hotspots. However | | | | tame deer at the entrance are favorites of the |
| access to the Cambodian wildlife remains difficult for | | | | children. More importantly the zoo is responsible via the |
| the average traveler due to underdeveloped road | | | | Free the Bears Fund for rehabilitating Asiatic black |
| infrastructure and the difficult terrain that can only be | | | | bears and sun bears that were injured as a result of |
| handled by experienced trekkers. | | | | animal smuggling. |
| The Phnom Tamao Zoo, located just a short drive | | | | Another striking difference from most Western zoos is |
| outside the city of Phnom Penh allows visitors to | | | | that visitors are encouraged to feed the animals and |
| experience the diversity of Cambodia's wildlife without | | | | some budding entrepreneurs have even set up small |
| trekking in to the rainforest. The zoo was set up to | | | | food stalls adjoining the compounds of the inmates. |
| help the conservation of rare and endangered species | | | | The Phnom Tamao Zoo is truly an experience that |
| that are endemic to the region but today it also serves | | | | many tourists would love to experience and can easily |
| as a sanctuary for animals that were victims of the | | | | be accessed by those staying at a Phnom Penh hotel. |
| unabated wildlife trade. | | | | Though the zoo is slightly outside the big city, it is still |
| Constructed on a vast expanse of 1,200 hectares the | | | | within reach of many a hotel Cambodia and can easily |
| Phnom Tamao Zoo is easily the largest of its kind in | | | | be visited while on your way to the Killing Fields |
| Cambodia. Breaking away from the norm of keeping | | | | Memorial. |
| animals inside small enclosures and steel cages, this | | | | |