It’s a virtual zoo in there, really

App-solutely exciting: Those missing the action at the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari can instead ‘travel’ there via MyZooTaiping, which gives round-the-clock virtual access to visitors from anywhere in the world. — Bernama

IPOH: Animal lovers who are unable to be present physically at the zoo now have an app that allows them to take a virtual tour.

Those missing the action at the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari can instead “travel” there via MyZooTaiping, which gives round-the-clock virtual access to visitors from anywhere in the world.

Some of the features of the app are free, while those looking for more in-depth interactions must pay a monthly or annual fee.

Perak Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi described the app as a milestone in the digitalisation of the tourism sector in Taiping.

She said the platform must be advertised and marketed, especially among industry players, for better traction as Taiping Zoo and Night Safari has a lot of potential for an international audience as well.

“With this new digital platform, I am hoping that all personnel are well equipped as they are directly ambassadors for the zoo,” she said at the launch of the platform at the zoo yesterday in conjunction with International Zoo Day.

Also present at the event were Taiping Municipal Council president Khairul Amir Mohammad Zubir, zoo director Dr Kevin Lazarus, and Eco-tourism and Conservation Society Malaysia (EcoMy) president and chief executive officer Andrew Sebastian.

Khairul said the platform developed by EcoMy was an idea mooted during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said many visitors who are far away and unable to visit the zoo physically could always get on the platform.

“The digital platform is a new dimension for education, animal conservation, environmental awareness and, at the same time, can attract visitors around the world to visit the zoo physically.

“This is the latest effort from the zoo to digitalise the tourism industry, not only for local but also for global viewing,” he added.