Key Takeaways
- Islamabad Zoo introduces a café where guests can drink and interact with ten imported alpacas
- The attraction follows EU wildlife‑handling guidelines and aims to attract European tourists
- A three‑month pilot will be reviewed by Pakistani authorities with possible expansion in 2027
The Islamabad Zoo has launched a new attraction called “Coffee with Alpaca”, Euronews reported on 30 October 2026. The initiative allows visitors to sit in a purpose‑built café area, order drinks and snacks, and interact with ten alpacas that were imported specially for the project. According to zoo officials, the alpacas are the first of their species to be kept in Pakistan, and the attraction is intended to boost attendance and promote wildlife education. The move reflects a broader trend of European‑inspired experiential tourism and animal‑welfare standards that have been adopted in South Asian zoos. The European Union’s guidelines on captive wildlife handling, promoted through the EU‑Asia Partnership on Sustainable Tourism, encourage member states to share best practices on enrichment and visitor engagement. By aligning with such standards, Islamabad Zoo hopes to attract European tourists travelling the Silk Road corridor and to position itself within regional cross‑border leisure networks. For local visitors and businesses, the café offers a new revenue stream and a family‑friendly leisure option, while animal‑rights groups will monitor the welfare of the imported alpacas against EU‑aligned protocols. The zoo plans to evaluate visitor numbers and animal health after a three‑month pilot, with results to be presented to the Ministry of Climate Change in January 2027. If successful, similar attractions could be rolled out in other Pakistani parks and in neighbouring Afghanistan’s emerging zoo projects.
Source: Euronews. Read the original report ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Will European visitors need any special permits to enjoy the café?
No special permits are required; the attraction is open to all visitors, but standard entry rules and any COVID‑19 health measures in place at the zoo apply.
What welfare measures are in place for the alpacas?
The zoo follows EU‑aligned animal‑welfare protocols, including regular veterinary checks, suitable climate‑controlled enclosures, and supervised feeding sessions to ensure the alpacas’ health and safety.