Dusit Zoo has relocated a number of animals ahead of the planned red-shirt rallies scheduled for this weekend.

The zoo is close to the Royal Plaza and Parliament, which are among the rally sites of the pro-Thaksin Shinawatra protesters.

Zoo director Karnchai Saenwog told reporters that 14 animals whose cages are close to U-Thong Nai Road had been already relocated to provincial zoos, as the zoo was worried they would be affected by the noisy protests.

Six red kangaroos, three elephants, three wallabies and two cranes have been relocated. The elephants were transported to Songkhla Zoo, while the other animals went to Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo.

When the situation returns to normal, the animals will be moved back to Dusit Zoo.

As regards Dusit's 2,000 other animals, the zoo authority will have teams of vets and officials take care of them around the clock.

It will have a stock of food enough for 10 days for the animals, and cages will be prepared in case emergency relocation proves necessary, said Karnchai.

If the situation gets out of control, the authority may have to temporarily close the zoo.