Taipei Zoo has invited the public for the first time to participate in a memorial service for animals that recently passed away at the zoo.
The memorial is to take place from today until Aug. 30 and coincides with Ghost Month.
In Taiwanese culture, Ghost Month is the seventh month of the lunar calendar. It began on Wednesday and runs through Sept. 14 this year.
Photo courtesy of the Taipei Zoo
It is believed in local folklore that the gates of the underworld open during the period and spirits are released to visit their families and loved ones.
In a news release on Friday, the zoo said that in the past it held a “Soul Comfort Ritual” which was not open to the public.
This year people are welcome to join in the event billed “Learning from Life, Memorial to Star Animals,” it said.
A message board would be set up at the zoo’s “Life Memorial Cenotaph” for people to write a note or letter of remembrance and gratitude to animals that still hold a special place in their hearts, Taipei Zoo director Chen Yi-tsung (諶亦聰) said.
The deaths of several animals at Taipei Zoo in recent years included giant panda Tuan Tuan (團團), male giraffe Chu Chung (菊忠), female giant anteater Koudaisha (口袋莎) and Malayan tapir Moko (貘克), the release said.
This year’s special arrangement was made to offer a memorial service to fans of the zoo’s stars, to ease their sadness and heartache over the losses, and to respect all lives, while also prompting people to hold wildlife populations in higher regard, it said.
“Zoos play an important role in society,” Chen said. “They teach people to ‘have reverence for all life,’ provide the public with programs on giving respect and dignity to all living animals, an aspect which has become essential for modern zoos, as well as in the promotion of wildlife conservation.”
“Kids can learn about pets and other animals, and of their meaning and significance in people’s everyday lives, and this event can nudge them toward inquiring about why we would organize a memorial service for these zoo denizens that have passed away,” Chen said. “We hope that schools and parents could use the event to lead young students in a discussion on exploring life education issues.”
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