2.5 tonnes of orchids will be grafted on ancient trees by Saigon Zoo and Botanical as part of their orchid conservation programme. — Photo tuoitre.vn

HCM CITY — HCM City’s Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden is now home to 2.5 tonnes of orchids as part of an orchid conservation program.

The orchids, originally from forests like Hòn Hèo, Nam Cát Tiên, and Bù Gia Mập and belonging to varieties such as Phi Điệp and Ngọc Điểm, were propagated from their genes at sanctuaries around the country.

Dr Nguyễn Thanh Khiết, who represents one of Saigon Zoo’s partners, was quoted by Tuổi Trẻ newspaper as saying Vietnamese orchids have been losing their habitat due to extreme deforestation, and people are scouting for exotic, high-value varieties.

Huỳnh Thu Thảo, chairwoman of Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, said: “We will graft the orchids with our ancient trees to help them grow better. Visitors to the zoo, especially children, can get to know more about natural orchids.”

The programme is a collaboration between the zoo, Việt Nam Association of Civil Engineering Environment and Yến Thạch Hộc Ltd.

The zoo has more than 1,500 animals and 900 plants, and gets thousands of local and foreign visitors every day. — VNS