Overseas returnee realizes dream by opening indoor petting zoo

An overseas returnee realized a childhood dream by establishing an indoor petting zoo, providing a great place to bring children closer to nature in Chongqing,Southwest China, Aug 5, 2018.

Zheng Pengchun, born in 1992, fell in love with animals when he was young and each time he visited the zoo he didn't want to leave. He always felt sad as he couldn't get closer to the animals and touch them.

After returning home from overseas study in Australia in 2016, Zheng first established an eco-agricultural company, specializing in domesticating, breeding and incubating of parrots.

Then to get more involved in animal-themed business, Zheng decided to open an animal-themed dessert shop one year later, so he went to France to learn dessert making.

However, his childhood's regret was always in his mind, Zheng suddenly got an inspiration to open an indoor petting zoo and he started right away by investing tens of millions of yuan with business partners from Shanghai in February 2018.

"Although we don't have big animals such as lions and elephants, our zoo is small but excellent," Zheng said.

Currently, about 60 to 70 animals can be seen in the zoo and there are plans to expand the place.

Zheng, who has not rested for six months, plans to introduce more animal species to the zoo, providing visitors better experiences by getting along harmoniously with the animals, which was his original intention behind the zoo.