Malacca Zoo
| Malacca Zoo | |
|---|---|
| File:Mezoo.jpg | |
 | |
| 2°16′40″N 102°18′6″E / 2.27778°N 102.30167°E | |
| Date opened | 1963 August 13, 1987 (To Public) |
| Location | Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia |
| Land area | 54 acres |
| No. of animals | 1200 |
| No. of species | 215 |
| Memberships | ISO 9001:2000, SEAZA |
| Website | http://zoomelaka.gov.my/index.html |
Zoo Melaka (English: Melaka Zoo) is a major zoological park located besides Lebuh Ayer Keroh (Federal Route 
FT 143) in the town of Ayer Keroh in the state of Malacca, Malaysia. More than 1200 animals of 215 species can be found at the Melaka Zoo[1]. It is the second-largest zoo in Malaysia behind Zoo Negara.[2] In 2007, along with the "Visit Malaysia" campaign, Zoo Melaka was visited by 619,194 visitors; the highest number ever recorded.[3]
History
The zoo was established in the year 1963, although its management later were took by the The Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Malaysia in 1979. It was used as a wildlife rescue base before it was opened to the public by the then Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohammad on August 13, 1987. Although it has long been opened to the public, it's primary roles as a rescue base and an animal sanctuary are still kept and never changed.[4][5][6] Within decades, it greatly expanded to become a large zoo and now houses a great number of birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, insects and even grown to be the second biggest zoo behind Ulu Klang's Zoo Negara and subsequently bigger than Zoo Taiping.[2]
The Zoo
Zoo Melaka was the first zoo in Malaysia to exhibit the critically endangered Sumatran Rhinoceros. It also houses overseas as well as local beauties such as the White Rhinoceros, Asian Elephants, Red Panda, Malaysian Gaur, the Serow, the Squirrel Monkey, the Molurus Python, the Grey Wolf, the Mongolian Wild Horse, the Green Tree Python, the Giraffe, the Blue-and-yellow Macaw and also the Indochinese Tiger as well as the Malayan Tiger[7][8][9]
Zoo Melaka is now a famous attraction in Melaka and are listed in many official tourism websites.[10] Now, it is visited annually by 400,000 visitors; averaging 1093 visitors a day.[1]Although, in 2007, the zoo was visited by 619,194 visitors with an average of 1619 visitors per day; the highest number since it was opened. In that year, the zoo collected as much as RM 3.99 million (USD 886,666); collecting a gain of RM 130,000[3]. It also maintains a healthy, cool green background by planting exotic and rare plants while labeling them. This can potentially cool the zoo in very hot days and symbolically mimics the rainforest. It also has a tram facility to help its visitors get from one place to another with the ticket prices as low as RM 2.00. In addition to that, it also has eating facilities at an A&W restaurant and a caféteria near the watch tower at the Mini Safari.
Breeding plans
The zoo is planning some programmes to ensure the survival of some endangered species. Some of them are captive breeding.
Since the Malayan Tiger (Panthera Tigris Malayenis) was found as a tiger sub-species, the zoo had raised over 40 tiger cubs and sent them to various types of places such as the United States. Two of them was Mek Degong and its mate Awang Relak; Malayan Tigers that were sent to San Diego Zoo in 2004.[11][12]Besides that, it is also been used as a captured animal sanctuary for a temporary time until it is sent locally or abroad.[4]
Attractions
The Zoo Melaka has many creative attractions to attract visitors both abroad and local ones. Some of them includes:
- A Mini Safari[13]
- A Multi-Animal show [14]
- An Elephant Show
- Elephant & Horse rides
- A Souvenir shop at the exit
- Night Zoo[15]
Location
The Zoo is strategically located in the town of Ayer Keroh besides the Lebuh Ayer Keroh at the entrance of Melaka; 13 Kilometres from Malacca Town. It neighbors with the Ayer Keroh Crocodile Farm, Melaka International Trade Center, Kolej Yayasan Saad, Melaka Manipal Medical College. At the Highway, it has a noticeable gate in the Minangkabau design.
Gallery
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The Indochinese tiger; a star attraction at Zoo Melaka -
The Zoo was the first zoo to house the Sumatran Rhinoceros -
The Gaur -
The Green tree python is a renowned snake attraction. -
The gharial; a ferocious animal that is exhibited by the Melaka Zoo. -
The Blue and Yellow macaw at the Melaka Zoo. Visitors can take photographs at the entrance.
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See Also
References
- ^ a b Zoo Melaka info at Cuti.com. - Melaka Zoo Retrieved on 10 August 2008.
- ^ a b Melaka Zoo's history.
- ^ a b Utusan Malaysia. Zoo Melaka's report at a notable Malay Paper. The News
- ^ a b Kelantan --The Star
- ^ A gharial mission --The Star
- ^ Crocodile capture The Star
- ^ List of mammals --Mammals.
- ^ List of birds --Birds.
- ^ List of Reptiles --Reptiles.
- ^ Melaka Zoo at Tourism Malaysia --Melaka Zoo
- ^ Mek Degong's profile at San Diego Zoo homepage. - Mek Degong Retrieved on 10 August 2008
- ^ Awang Relak's surgery News Archive
- ^ Zoo Melaka --Mini Safari
- ^ Zoo Melaka's Attraction --Attractions/Activities
- ^ Zoo Melaka --Night Zoo notification