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During the Spring Festival holidays, Shenzhen Safari Park will stage a series of colorful activities and programs to entertain visitors.

In November last year, the zoo introduced more than 100 fighting cocks from Henan Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. After more than a month of feeding and training, these game cocks, weighing four to five kilograms each, are well prepared for fighting contests, which the zoo has scheduled to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Rooster.

On a newly built street beside the Waterfowl Lake in the zoo, visitors will be able to watch more than 1,000 rare pheasants recently acquired by the zoo from all over the world.

Located in the middle of the Love lake, the newly completed Snake & Turtle Longevity Island will also open to the public during the Spring Festival.

On the island are more than 600 turtles introduced from all over the world as well as dozens of huge snakes the zoo received from the customs authorities of Hong Kong and Macao as special donations after they confiscated them from smugglers.

From Feb. 9 through March 3, the zoo is planning to hold a lantern exhibition to call on city residents to be more caring toward wild animals in the new year.

Last Wednesday, the zoo began receiving various lanterns, made in the shape of any kind of animals, from individuals and businesses. All visitors who donate animal lanterns will get a free entrance ticket to the zoo during the festival.

When the exhibition is over, the laterns will be appraised by the public and winners will be awarded with special prizes.

Editor: Catherine