Malacca Zoo

Malacca Zoo
Zoo Melaka (Malay)
马六甲动物园(Chinese)
Date opened 1963
13 August 1987 (to public)
Location Ayer Keroh, Malacca, Malaysia
Coordinates 2°16′40″N 102°18′6″E / 2.27778°N 102.30167°E / 2.27778; 102.30167Coordinates: 2°16′40″N 102°18′6″E / 2.27778°N 102.30167°E / 2.27778; 102.30167
Land area 54 acres (22 ha)
Number of animals 1200
Number of species 215
Memberships ISO 9001:2000, SEAZA[1]
Website zoomelaka.gov.my

Malacca Zoo (Malay: Zoo Melaka) is a 54-acre (22 ha) zoological park located besides Lebuh Ayer Keroh (Federal Route 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 Malacca Zoo.[2] It is the second-largest zoo in Malaysia behind the National Zoo of Malaysia.[3] In 2007, along with the "Visit Malaysia" campaign, Malacca Zoo was visited by 619,194 visitors; the highest number ever recorded.[4]

History

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks; they took the management of Malacca Zoo in 1979

The zoo was established in 1963, along with the National Zoo of Malaysia (Zoo Negara), but its management was later taken over by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Malaysia in 1979. This enhanced its operations and upgraded its services for the public's benefit. 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 13 August 1987. Although it has long been opened to the public, its primary roles as a rescue base and an animal sanctuary remain unchanged.[5][6][7] It now houses many birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, insects, and is the second largest zoo behind the National Zoo in Ulu Klang.[3]

The zoo

Map ofMalacca Zoo

Malacca Zoo 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[8][9][10]

Malacca Zoo is now a famous attraction in Malacca and are listed in many official tourism websites.[11] Now, it is visited annually by 400,000 visitors; averaging 1093 visitors a day.[2] 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 (US$886,666); collecting a gain of RM 130,000.[4] It also maintains a healthy, cool green background by planting exotic and rare plants while labelling 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 the A&W restaurant and a cafeteria near the watch tower at the Mini Safari located near Marina Zenorai.

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.[12][13] Besides that, it is also been used as a captured animal sanctuary for a temporary time until it is sent locally or abroad.[5]

Attractions

A blue and yellow macaw at the zoo

Some other attractions at the zoo includes:

Location

The Zoo is located in the town of Ayer Keroh besides the Lebuh Ayer Keroh at the entrance of Melaka; 13 kilometres from Malacca Town. It neighbours with the Ayer Keroh Crocodile Farm, Melaka International Trade Center, Kolej Yayasan Saad, Melaka Manipal Medical College. From the highway, it has a noticeable gate in the Minangkabau design.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "SEAZA Membership List". seaza.org. SEAZA. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  2. 1 2 Zoo Melaka info at Cuti.com. – Malacca Zoo Retrieved on 10 August 2008.
  3. 1 2 Melaka Zoo's history.
  4. 1 2 Utusan Malaysia. Malacca Zoo's report at a notable Malay Paper. The News
  5. 1 2 Kelantan --The Star
  6. ↑ A gharial mission --The Star
  7. ↑ Crocodile capture The Star
  8. ↑ List of mammals --Mammals.
  9. ↑ List of birds --Birds.
  10. ↑ List of Reptiles --Reptiles.
  11. ↑ Malacca Zoo at Tourism Malaysia --Malacca Zoo Zoo
  12. ↑ Mek Degong's profile at San Diego Zoo homepage. – Mek Degong Retrieved on 10 August 2008
  13. ↑ Awang Relak's surgery News Archive
  14. ↑ Zoo Melaka --Mini Safari
  15. ↑ Malacca Zoo's Attraction --Attractions/Activities
  16. ↑ Malacca Zoo --Night Zoo notification
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