Education and leisure Shoushan Zoo/ 寓教於樂─壽山動物園
Ecological education center
Kaohsiung's Shoushan Zoo (formerly called Hsitzuwan Zoo) was founded in 1978. The zoo ranges between 25 and 125 meters above sea level and is located in the south-east of Shoushan. Facing Kaohsiung City, it is in a geological basin whose geology is limestone and the area of which is 12.89 hectares. Within the zoo remain many coral reefs of the original Tzaishan Area, prototype plants, and many native middle-sized and small-sized undomesticated animals that live there. 80 kinds of animals are on display in the zoo. Their numbers reach to over 700 animals, including wildlife animals and animals from abroad. This zoo is the largest area for the environmental ecology of rest and education in the south of Taiwan.
Treasure our lives
Recently, in this zoo, the female elephant, Annie, died of illness. After her death, the male elephant, Ali, cries, screams and feels sad. Mayor Hsieh specially went out to Shoushan Zoo to take a look at Ali and wish him all the best. Mayor Hsieh made use of this chance for educating children that all should treasure their family and lives. Mayor Hsieh said that Kaohsiung City government was collecting old photographs of the female elephant, Annie, to remember "her". So far, many citizens have offered their photos. Also, in order to make Annie into a memorable specimen, the City government will announce an activity of "all citizens raising funds to make Annie into a specimen." Contributions of even one or two dollars will be acceptable, so it is hoped this will become an activity for all citizens of Kaohsiung. Mayor Hsieh stated: the relationship between Ali and Annie, considering these animals' intelligence and Annie's contribution to Kaohsiung City, make us feel moved and inspired so that we have another view towards animals. I hope that we will all love our animals and treasure them.
Varoius ecological activities
Besides those popular elephants, among the animals on display there are rare little pandas, the world's first Taiwanese black bear naturally bred in the zoo, etc. that are now also famous celebrities. There is also a show allowing people to feed the elephants and DIY involving parents and children─activities that have never been organize before in Taiwan, allowing parents to bring their children to experience pleasure and surprise in contact with wildlife animals. In order to put environmental education into practice and encourage understanding of the role that animals play in ecological protection, the zoo set up a team of volunteers who can fully supply visitors with Chinese explanation and guidance. Groups of over 20 people can apply for the service of a special guide one month in advance.
Diverse services
To supply more choices for leisure and improve its functions, the Shoushan Zoo that first created a water fountain plaza is becoming one of the most popular sites for tourism and for strengthening relationships of parents with their children in the hot South of Taiwan. This Zoo also continues to increase its software equipment for education and displays, improving its beautiful green environment, and scheduling the import of more novel animals for display in order to show off this small but fully-developed area for animals and plants education and offer everyone better quality for both educational and leisure visits.
生態教育園區
高雄市壽山動物園源起於民國六十七年成立的「西子灣動物園」，位於壽山東南方，海拔高度介於25~125公尺之間，是一個面向高雄市區的盆地，屬石灰岩地質，面積12.89公頃。園區內保留多量原始柴山地區的珊瑚礁岩地形，以及原生植物，亦有許多本地原產中、小型野生動物出沒其間，加之園區內圈養展示的八十種七百餘隻各類野生動物、外來植物，為高雄地區，乃至於南台灣地區最大的環境生態教育休憩園區。
體會生命可貴
日前動物園的母象安妮因病猝逝，公象阿里在安妮走後流淚、哀嚎，黯然神傷。謝市長專程前往壽山動物園探望阿里，為阿里加油，並藉此「機會教育」小朋友，期勉大家珍惜身旁親人及生命的可貴。
謝市長表示，市府現在正在募集安妮的老照片，已有很多市民提供，希望能藉照片來紀念牠。另外，為能將安妮做成標本，市府將發起「全民募款為安妮做標本」活動，希望從一元、兩元的募集，讓這項活動變成全市的運動。謝市長說，從動物的靈性看阿里和安妮的關係，以及安妮這一生對高雄市的奉獻，都令我們有所感動，有所啟發，讓我們對動物有另一種看法，希望大家都能愛惜動物，並珍惜現在所有的一切。
多樣生態活動
除了近來受到眾人矚目的大象外，動物園展示動物中，還有稀世珍貴的小貓熊、世界第一隻由動物園自然繁殖的台灣黑熊...等，都是名氣響亮的明星動物，並且還有全國首創大象餵食秀親子DIY活動，讓爸爸媽媽帶著小朋友親身體驗和野生動物近距離接觸的樂趣與驚奇。為落實保育宣導，積極扮演動物園在生態教育推廣上的角色，動物園成立有志工服務隊，提供參觀民眾完善的解說導覽及諮詢服務，只要是二十人以上的團體，都可以於預計來園參觀前一個月向園方申請團體導覽解說服務。
多元發展服務
為提供民眾更多休憩選擇，更加發揮遊憩功能，壽山動物園首創國內動物園先例，於園區內開闢親水噴泉廣場，成為炎熱的南台灣最受到家庭親子歡迎的休閒旅遊地區之一。動物園正持續改善教育展示軟硬體設施、加強環境美化綠化，並規劃引進新的教育展示動物，以期呈現雖小卻精緻的動物植物教育園區，提供大家更好的參觀遊憩品質。
Open houre
9:00~17:00 (tickets available before 16:30), Tue-Sun.
開放時間
每日上午九時至下午五時（售票至下午四時卅分），週一休園（若逢國定假日則照常開放）。
http://www.kcg.gov.tw/~kssc enic/zoohtm