Shanghai Zoo is to combine education with entertainment during
the Spring Festival with a special exhibition for children.
To celebrate the Year of Mouse, the zoo has moved the warm tanks
in which the rodents are kept to grass areas for children to
observe at close hand to compare the different breeds and their
behavior.
More than 100 wild, pet and laboratory rodents, of 17 breeds,
will be featured in the exhibition. Some rare breeds , such as
naked mole rats and chinchillas, will be on show.
A member of the rodent
family looks forward to greet children at the Shanghai Zoo where an
exhibition marking the Year of the Mouse is to be held. (photo:
Shanghai Daily)
To explain the huge variety of rodents, the zoo will be weighing
the largest-coypus, or nutrias-and the smallest-tiny hamsters-in
front of visitors.
"In people's minds, mice are fat, gray and black, and harmful to
human beings. We wish to change that stereotype through this
exhibition," said Pan Xiuwen, a zoo official.
Zoo officials will also tell children about ancient Chinese
tales about the creatures.
The exhibition is from today to March 7.
(Shanghai Daily February 2, 2008)
