New Delhi – Burma's government, on Wednesday, inaugurated a new zoo near its nascent capital of Naypyitaw, approximately 320 miles north of the former capital of Rangoon.

The zoo, built two years ago on the site of a former prisoner's concentration camp, was officially opened by Secretary (1) of the Burmese junta, also known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).

The inaugural ceremony began at about 8:30 a.m. (local time) and was attended by foreign diplomats and consuls, who have arrived in Naypyitaw to witness tomorrow's Armed Forces Day celebration.

The zoo, which was reportedly built on the whim of Burma's Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, was constructed by 22 companies at a cost of approximately $4.5 million, sources said.

Hosting over 200 animal species, including white tigers, kangaroos and penguins, the zoo has an area of over 240 square hectares, a forestry official told Mizzima. Most animals, he added, were relocated from Rangoon Zoo.

The zoo is part of the government's plan to urbanize its new capital, following the junta's decision to construct the city in November 2005.

Naypyitaw, meaning Royal City, is now home to all government offices and most government ministries.

While the junta continues to lavishly spend huge amounts of money on building an all new capital city, UN and other international agencies say Burma's governmental contribution to the health and education sector accounts for less than five percent of its overall expenditure.