A 41-year-old pelican and other animals wait for their food at Nepal’s only zoo
A pelican follows program officer Ganesh Koirala as he arrives at the animal kitchen at Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, Feb. 21, 2024. At the stroke of 10 every morning, the pelican arrives at the entrance of the animal kitchen, waiting patiently for Koirala to arrive. The pelican knows that with Koirala will come his breakfast - a one kilogram 2.2 pound) fish. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper mixes vegetable to feed animals at the animal kitchen inside Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper feeds a Mona monkey at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A pelican picks fish from a basket at the animal kitchen in Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, Feb. 23, 2024. Inside the busy kitchen, zookeepers wash vegetables and fruits in potassium permanganate and strain out the water from soaked beans and other nutritious grains. Meat and fish are cut, cleaned and weighed for distribution among various carnivores. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Zoo keeper Rojina Shrestha, 35, feeds milk to a baby roe deer at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Zoo keepers get ready to feed animals at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Food for various animals are kept at the animal kitchen before distributing them inside the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A Chimpanzee eats its food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 22, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Students receive food from a zoo keeper to feed animals at Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper gets ready to feed a bear at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 22, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zookeeper feeds a Carabao buffalo at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Zoo keepers chop fruits and vegetable to feed animals at the animal kitchen inside Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Zoo keepers prepares food for animals at the animal kitchen inside the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper prepares food for various birds at the animal kitchen inside the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper feeds an elephant at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper feeds a Tantalus monkey at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zookeeper feeds a one horned Rhinoceros at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zookeeper feeds a one horned Rhinoceros at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper feeds a baby deer at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zookeeper feeds a Sarus Crane bird at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Parakeet birds have food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Visitors watch a hornbill bird eating food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A snow leopard, typically inhabiting higher altitudes, lies inside a cage at the Central Zoo, after being captured from the southern plains of Nepal which was noted an uncommon occurrence by wildlife experts in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Jan. 26, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A Royal Bengal tiger waits for its food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 16, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A Royal Bengal tiger eats its food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A pelican follows program officer Ganesh Koirala as he arrives at the animal kitchen at Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, Feb. 21, 2024. At the stroke of 10 every morning, the pelican arrives at the entrance of the animal kitchen, waiting patiently for Koirala to arrive. The pelican knows that with Koirala will come his breakfast - a one kilogram 2.2 pound) fish. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A pelican follows program officer Ganesh Koirala as he arrives at the animal kitchen at Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, Feb. 21, 2024. At the stroke of 10 every morning, the pelican arrives at the entrance of the animal kitchen, waiting patiently for Koirala to arrive. The pelican knows that with Koirala will come his breakfast - a one kilogram 2.2 pound) fish. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper mixes vegetable to feed animals at the animal kitchen inside Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper mixes vegetable to feed animals at the animal kitchen inside Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper feeds a Mona monkey at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper feeds a Mona monkey at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A pelican picks fish from a basket at the animal kitchen in Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, Feb. 23, 2024. Inside the busy kitchen, zookeepers wash vegetables and fruits in potassium permanganate and strain out the water from soaked beans and other nutritious grains. Meat and fish are cut, cleaned and weighed for distribution among various carnivores. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A pelican picks fish from a basket at the animal kitchen in Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, Feb. 23, 2024. Inside the busy kitchen, zookeepers wash vegetables and fruits in potassium permanganate and strain out the water from soaked beans and other nutritious grains. Meat and fish are cut, cleaned and weighed for distribution among various carnivores. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Zoo keeper Rojina Shrestha, 35, feeds milk to a baby roe deer at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Zoo keeper Rojina Shrestha, 35, feeds milk to a baby roe deer at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Zoo keepers get ready to feed animals at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Zoo keepers get ready to feed animals at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Food for various animals are kept at the animal kitchen before distributing them inside the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Food for various animals are kept at the animal kitchen before distributing them inside the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A Chimpanzee eats its food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 22, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A Chimpanzee eats its food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 22, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Students receive food from a zoo keeper to feed animals at Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Students receive food from a zoo keeper to feed animals at Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper gets ready to feed a bear at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 22, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper gets ready to feed a bear at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 22, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zookeeper feeds a Carabao buffalo at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zookeeper feeds a Carabao buffalo at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Zoo keepers chop fruits and vegetable to feed animals at the animal kitchen inside Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Zoo keepers chop fruits and vegetable to feed animals at the animal kitchen inside Nepal’s Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Zoo keepers prepares food for animals at the animal kitchen inside the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Zoo keepers prepares food for animals at the animal kitchen inside the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper prepares food for various birds at the animal kitchen inside the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper prepares food for various birds at the animal kitchen inside the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper feeds an elephant at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper feeds an elephant at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper feeds a Tantalus monkey at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper feeds a Tantalus monkey at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zookeeper feeds a one horned Rhinoceros at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zookeeper feeds a one horned Rhinoceros at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zookeeper feeds a one horned Rhinoceros at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zookeeper feeds a one horned Rhinoceros at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper feeds a baby deer at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zoo keeper feeds a baby deer at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zookeeper feeds a Sarus Crane bird at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A zookeeper feeds a Sarus Crane bird at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Parakeet birds have food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Parakeet birds have food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Visitors watch a hornbill bird eating food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
Visitors watch a hornbill bird eating food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 23, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A snow leopard, typically inhabiting higher altitudes, lies inside a cage at the Central Zoo, after being captured from the southern plains of Nepal which was noted an uncommon occurrence by wildlife experts in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Jan. 26, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A snow leopard, typically inhabiting higher altitudes, lies inside a cage at the Central Zoo, after being captured from the southern plains of Nepal which was noted an uncommon occurrence by wildlife experts in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Jan. 26, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A Royal Bengal tiger waits for its food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 16, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A Royal Bengal tiger waits for its food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 16, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A Royal Bengal tiger eats its food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
A Royal Bengal tiger eats its food at the Central Zoo in Lalitpur, Nepal, on Feb. 21, 2024. The only zoo in Nepal is home to more than 1,100 animals of 114 species, including the Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Red Panda, One-Horned Rhino and the Asian Elephant. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — At the stroke of 10 every morning at the only zoo in Nepal, a 41-year-old pelican arrives at the entrance of the animal kitchen, waiting patiently for program officer Ganesh Koirala to arrive. The pelican knows that with Koirala will come breakfast — a one-kilogram (2-pound) fish.
Inside the busy kitchen, zookeepers wash vegetables and cut meat and fish for the zoo’s residents.
The Central Zoo in Kathmandu is home to more than 1,100 animals and 114 species, including Bengal tigers, snow leopards, red pandas, one-horned rhinos and Asian elephants.
More than 15 of 38 local endangered species reside in the zoo, which welcomes around 1 million visitors per year.
The zoo originated in 1932 as the private collection of a ruler, but now is managed by a government trust and is open to the public.
“When I am on my day off, I cannot stop thinking whether the animals got their food on time. They are like small babies,” said Rojina Shrestha, a zookeeper for over a decade.
Some of the animals were brought to the zoo with injuries, were orphaned, or were causing a nuisance to communities, Koirala said. But space is limited to accommodate them in the 6-hectare (15-acre) site.
Authorities hope to move the zoo to a different location outside the capital, but government resources are limited.