Happy Farm
Hong Kong’s been so hot and humid lately that hugging warm furry animals may not sound all that appealing. But rest assured there’s going to be air-conditioning at Happy Farm, the city’s first indoor petting zoo.
Live out your zookeeper fantasies at Happy Farm, where there are baby goats to feed, bunnies to cuddle, horses to ride, ponies to go “awwww” over, parrots and turtles to gawk at, and much more. In addition to giving you the chance to interact with animals, this child-friendly environment also aims to encourage learning about the creatures’ history and habits. And if the kids get tired of getting acquainted with their furry friends, there are booths offering activities such as art jamming, cooking classes, organic planting workshops, origami and face painting.
As part of AsiaWorld Expo’s 5th Anniversary celebration, Happy Farm features appearances and performances by over 30 local artists. Janice Vidal represents the event as Animal Caring Ambassador. But apparently this isn’t just another occasion for bubbly Hong Kong pop stars to flaunt their stuff, one of the primary functions of Happy Farm is to teach visitors to regard animals as co-inhabitants of our world rather than as beasts of burden whose lives are shaped around our own. As part of this effort, Heifer, an international non-profit organisation that aims to stop world hunger and poverty through gifts of livestock and training, will be working in partnership with AsiaWorld-Expo.
Over 200 Animal Care Child Ambassadors between the ages of six and 12 have been recruited to promote long-term caring for animals. Furthermore, AsiaWorld-Expo is sponsoring four goats to be donated to an impoverished family in Mainland China, three of which will be named by the Animal Care Child Ambassadors (the fourth was named by Vidal).
Don’t let Hong Kong’s fascination with manufactured pop stars spoil the mood. Although celebs hanging around animals for the sake of publicity may induce an eye roll or two, Hong Kong’s first ever indoor petting zoo features enough animals to justify checking it out. And, hey, at least the animals don’t have to try hard to look cute.
Heidi Yeung
Happy Farm is taking place at the AsiaWorld-Expo from July 30 to August 1. Tickets are available from 7-Eleven outlets at MTR stations. Enquiries: 3606 8880.
Add your comment