SIEM REAP: Siem Reap’s newest attraction, Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium, officially opened to the public on Tuesday, 1 November, with the Governor of Siem Reap and over 1000 people present for the grand opening day.
Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium (AWA Park) is Cambodia’s first world-class Wildlife Park and Aquarium, which will provide educational, preservation and conservation awareness on Cambodia’s natural fauna and flora
Located about 30 km southeast of Siem Reap along National Road 6, the aquarium consists of three main areas. The fresh water area is located near the aquarium’s entrance and features many different varieties of fresh water species coming from Cambodia. Towards the end of the river fish exhibition, visitors can also see different aquatic species from the Amazon.
“The tank has been designed with one side [dedicated to] fresh river water [species] which, I would say, 80% of the species come from Cambodia,” said Benoit Jancloes, the General Manager of Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium.
“When you finish the [fresh water] section, you will be presented with a comparison of Amazon species, then you will be brought to the ocean tank which has a [diverse array of] fish species, within the gulf of Thailand as well as abroad. And lastly, we have a touch pool with very friendly species that children and adults can touch.”
Jancloes said he was very excited about finally opening Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium’s doors to the public. He stressed that the main aim of the AWA Park is to educate the Cambodian people on how to look after the country’s wildlife.
“I have my own core values for Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium, or AWA,” he said. “A is for awareness, so it is educational, with information about our fish and our animals. W is wonder, which basically the splendor you see all around us. And the last one (A) is attention. We bring a lot of attention to our fish and to our animals.”
The AWA Park will be completed in three stages. The first stage of the park was built on eight hectares of land and includes the wildlife area and the aquarium. Phase 2 will cover fourteen hectares, which will include an elephant walk and more flora and fauna for guests to enjoy. Finally, the last phase will include a resort and fun area for children to play.
The Governor of Siem Reap, Tea Seiha, was one of the special VIP guests invited to the official opening. Speaking with EAC News, Governor Seiha said that he was very happy that the AWA Park had chosen Siem Reap as its location.
“We are very happy to come here, and especially [because] this amazing aquarium is in Siem Reap, Cambodia,” he said.
The Governor spoke further about how he expects the new attraction will help tourism in Siem Reap, and also support the local people who live near the park area.
“In this area, we now have this [attraction], but we never had anything like this before in Cambodia,” he said. “Now we have this in Siem Reap. It makes us very happy, especially for our people in Siem Reap.”
In the touch pool area of the aquarium, many students were excited to be able to touch the different fish and aquatic species.
Dom Dek High School students Kosal Neang and Makara Yoeurn said they could not believe how lucky they were to be able to actually touch different species of fish they had never seen before.
“I am very excited to see all fish in Cambodia and from the Amazon,” said Makara Yoeurn. “I am so proud to have this aquarium in Siem Reap province. It will attract guests from all around the world to see it.”
Another visitor, Pich Virakvisal, said it was amazing for him to be able to experience the aquarium for the first time, and also get the chance to feel some of the fish.
“It’s amazing to be here because it’s my first experience ever,” he said. “I think [the touch spool species feel] soft, it’s the first time I’ve ever tried this, it feels like it’s not [usual that we get] to touch these kinds of fish. I’m so happy.”
There were many families present enjoying the aquatic surroundings and different animal enclosures. Two young toddlers at the otter enclosure laughed with joy every time the little creatures swam past.
One of the crowd favorites was definitely the sun bear enclosure, as visitors got to watch the cute and cuddly mammals play with each other and snack on coconuts.
Entrance fees for Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium are at two tiers. For Cambodian nationals and expats living in Cambodia, tickets are US $5 for children and US $10 for adults (expats will be required to show their work permit or passports at the entrance to receive this rate). Meanwhile, for international guests, tickets are priced at US $10 for children and US $18 for adults.
Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium is open everyday from 9 am to 6 pm.
Tel: 081 502 555 or 012 444 568
Email: contact@awa-sr.com
https://web.facebook.com/AWASRPark
