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THUMBNAIL	DESCRIPTION
	Hanoi zoo is on is in a beautifully landscaped park northeast of Hanoi's centre. The zoo is built around a lake and part of the zoo grounds are an island connected to the rest by bridges. These improvements can be seen in the first two photos. The red streamers in the top photo (and belwo) proclaim a celebration being held at the time, the 40th anniversary of the withdrawal of French troops from Hanoi in 1954. Renovations in 1992-3 which added to the beauty of the zoo, did not extend to the animal housing, some of which was relocated from the colonial-period zoo downtown. Thanks to international support and university educated young new staff, conditions are improving, though of course there is a long way to go. When I first visited in 1989, the zoo was more a place for animals to die. Now Hanoi zoo is exchanging animals with other international zoos.
	The next photo shows caging for small carnivores, part of an internationally sponsored program for captive breeding of the highly endangered Owston's Palm Civet Chrotogale owstoni. This laudable experiment is none-the-less in an exposed area with many passers-by, which is inadequate for nocturnal civets, who sleep during the day. Note the informational signs in Vietnamese and English. Western readers may be surprised that these signs identify the 'use' of each animal. The second photo shows a young soccer player, demonstrating his muscles and enjoying the sun just in front of this cage. In the distance is a large cage containing gobbons.
	These photos show in order: a tree-covered walkway, the main gibbon cage, deer and elephant enclosures. Location: Hanoi Zoo Date: March, 1993 and October, 1994. Credit: Vern Weitzel

Prepared by Vern Weitzel <vern@coombs.anu.edu.au>
Australia Vietnam Science-Technology Link