During the past long weekend, visitors flocked to Pata Zoo at Pata Department Store in Thon Buri to catch a glimpse of "Bua Noi", or "Little Lotus", Thailand's one and only captive gorilla.
It was a popularity boost that followed news that Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa will back a plan to send the 34-year-old gorilla back to the zoo in Germany from where the owner purchased her three decades ago. It is reported that the compensation on offer for the zoo's loss is around 30 million baht. But Pata Zoo's executive board has denied any intention to let Bua Noi leave.
