National Zoo of Malaysia

National Zoo of Malaysia
3°12′35″N 101°45′28″E
Date opened	November 14, 1963
Location	Ulu Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
Land area	120 acres
No. of animals	5137
No. of species	459
Memberships	ISO 9001:2000
Major exhibits	Reptile Park, Monkey/Lesser Apes, Malaysian Elephants, Lake Birds, Bird Aviary, Nocturnal Exhibits, Wallaby/Kangaroo/Pademelon, Humbolt Penguin, Children's World, Bear Complex, Savannah Walk, Nile Hippopotamus, Mammal Kingdom, Freshwater Aquaria, Cat Walk, Ape Centre
Website	http://www.zoonegara.org.my/index.htm

Zoo Negara (literally National Zoo in Malay) is a major zoological park in Malaysia located on 120 acres of land in Ulu Klang, near Taman Melawati on the north-east of Kuala Lumpur. It was officially opened on November 14, 1963. The park is managed by a non-governmental organization known as the Malaysian Zoological Society. Fully funded by its gate collection, Zoo Negara greatly relies on the support from donors and sponsors.

This zoo has about 5137 animals of 459 different species.

History

In 1957, the Malayan Agri-Horticultural Association (MAHA) opened a miniature zoo. After the creation of the mini-zoo, the idea of proper zoo was mooted in the public. As the idea gained momentum, the federal government chosen a spot in Ulu Klang, Selangor which is right beside the border of Kuala Lumpur. In the 1960s, Ulu Klang was an undeveloped green area. In 1963, the first Prime Minister of Malaya (now Malaysia) YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman officially opened the zoo to the public. Zoo Negara was known as the "Zoo in the Jungle" due to the greenery that surrounded the area.

The zoo welcomed its millionth visitor on February 14, 2000.

Current issue

The area surrounding the zoo was covered with thick vegetation until the late 1970s. That changed as Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia in general underwent economic boom. Given Ulu Klang proximity with Kuala Lumpur, the area was opened for large scale development as a planned residential area in the 1980s. It has expanded in term of population ever since. The development has caused the zoo's surrounding to change from being in the jungle to being in the middle of the city. Development also increases the land value the zoo sits upon.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, there were plans to move the zoo to other locations in Selangor. However, the plans were largely unpopular among the public as it is seen as an effort by some developers to capitalise on the value of the zoo's large track of land. With the support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Selangor State Government, Zoo Negara will not be relocated.

Getting There

• Using Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) - from Ampang, u-turn at the Taman Melawati exit and take the first left; from Gombak, take the first left after the Taman Melawati exit flyover.
• Hop on the Metrobus bus 16 from Central Market. This bus will bring you to the zoo entrance.
• Using Kelana Jaya Line LRT, get down at the Wangsa Maju LRT station and take a taxi or the feeder bus to the zoo.

Exhibits

There are 16 exhibits in this zoo. They are:

• Reptile Park
• Monkey/Lesser Apes
• Malaysian Elephants
• Lake Birds
• Bird Aviary
• Nocturnal Exhibits
• Wallaby/Kangaroo/Pademelon
• Children's World
• Bear Complex
• Savannah Walk
• Nile Hippopotamus
• Mammal Kingdom
• Freshwater Aquaria
• Cat Walk
• Ape Centre
• Amphibian World

Achievements

Zoo Negara has managed to breed over 200 highly endangered Milky Stork. The zoo is currently working on a release programme with the local Wildlife Department. Other notable breeding achievements include hornbills and the freshwater crocodile- False Gharial.

Education is one of the main objective of Zoo Negara. The zoo strive in providing free educational services to schools and group visits. Amongst the free activities include guided tours, talks, seminars and interactive sessions. The zoo has also published its first storybook on 'Manja' the orangutan which covers the life story of 'Manja' the tame orangutan at the zoo and conservation facts on orangutans. Other notable publication is the Animal Classification Workbook which is distributed for free to primary school students.

Zoo Negara has recently received its MS ISO 9001:2000 accreditation.

Latest Attraction

Zoo Negara's Tunku Abdul Rahman Aquarium is now open for public viewing. The aquarium is the first ecological-based freshwater aquarium that highlights the Malaysian river and wetlands.

The Birds Photo Corner is the latest attraction at the Bird Aviary where you can take souvenir photos with a variety of macaws and cockatoos.

The Amphibian World center at the Reptile Park has a variety of frogs and toads that originate from their various habitats in Malaysia.

External links

• Official website