Taiping zoo gears up for more visitors

Khairul Amir looking at the herd of elephants at Taiping zoo that has a new member. . — Photos: RONNIE CHIN/The Star

THE Taiping Municipal Council expects to welcome more than 90,000 visitors to the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari every month.

Council president Khairul Amir Mohamad Zubir said with the interstate travel ban lifted since October last year and easing of Covid-19 standard operating procedures, more visitors were expected to visit the zoo.

“Before the pandemic, we were able to draw up to 780,000 visitors annually. However, during the movement control order, ticket sales dropped,” he said at a press conference to introduce several new additions to the zoo.

“From 2020 to 2021, there was an increase in visitors from 24.9% to 28.3%.

“We are expecting more visitors, especially with some new additions to our stable,” he said.

Among the new additions is a pair of tarsiers, obtained from an exchange programme.

“We are currently the only zoo in the country to have this species of primates.

“These are nocturnal animals and can only be seen during our Night Safari sessions,” Khairul Amir explained.

Other new animals are the nyala, zebra, eland and impala, which are showcased in the African Savannah section.

The zoo has also welcomed a new female baby elephant, adding to the current herd of 11 elephants.

The calf was born on Jan 1 and weighs nearly 80kg.

In 2021, the zoo became home for several other baby animals, including a Malayan porcupine and baby birds of various species.

On upgrades at the zoo last year, Khairul Amir said work done included fixing the roof of the pavilion at a cost of RM800,000, which was allocated by the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

“The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry together with the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) had also allocated RM1.81mil for several upgrades, including the cages for leopards, bears, lions and hornbills.

“We received frozen food donations from various agencies, including 12 tonnes of frozen meat worth RM144,000 from Perhilitan, while the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry donated two tonnes of frozen meat.

“Several other companies contributed to our adoption programme, with donations totalling RM52,000,” he said.

Khairul Amir added that the zoo would continue to focus on its breeding and conservation efforts.