Primate resort: Children walking past the orangutan enclosure at Zoo Negara that will soon see renovations to improve the primates’ accommodations. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The Bornean Orang Utan Showcase at Zoo Negara has received a RM1.1mil sponsorship from the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) to upgrade the facility.
MPOGCF general manager Zamakhshari Muhamad said the sponsorship was part of the foundation’s ongoing efforts to advocate a harmonious coexistence between humans and oran gutan, especially in promoting its concept of “Living Together in Harmony”.
Introduced at the beginning of August, it puts forth the idea that endangered species such as the Bornean orang utan are part of the nation’s inhabitants, through its “The Other Malaysians” campaign.
“MPOGCF’s sponsorship of the Bornean Orang Utan Showcase will allow Zoo Negara to make significant improvements to its open-concept enclosure including restoration and conservation work.
“It will also ensure that the Bornean orang utan currently housed at the Ape Centre continue to live well under the zoo’s care and supervision,” he said at the event to handing over the cheque yesterday, Bernama reported.
Also present were Zoo Negara president Datuk Zaharin Md Arif and deputy president Rosly Rahmat Ahmat Lana, as well as MPOGCF board of trustees member Hairulazim Mahmud.
Zamakhshari said the decline of the orang utan population was often linked to the oil palm plantations in Malaysia and this contributed to a negative perception of the country’s palm oil industry to the extent it receives unfair treatment internationally.
