Phnom Penh Safari, the first major zoo in Cambodia's capital, opened to visitors yesterday.

Prime Minister Hun Sen took a brief break from preparations for next month's elections to attend the inauguration ceremony of the US$9 million (S$12.2 million) zoo that will house 89 types of animals, including bears, ostriches, kangaroos, giraffes, tigers and deer.

The zoo is run by a company owned by tycoon Ly Yong Phat, a senator from the ruling Cambodian People's Party.