JOHOR BARU: The almost century-old Johor Zoo at Jalan Gertak here is set to get a facelift and will resume operation at the end of this year.
In a statement on Facebook, Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar said that the 95-year-old zoo should be turned into a tourism destination that could attract local and international visitors.
"Johor Zoo was donated by Almarhum Sultan Sir Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar and is the oldest zoo in the country.
"The state government must focus on various elements when carrying out upgrading works. This includes improving the drainage system, placement of animals, ticket prices and many more to attract visitors.
"It should be turned into one of the new tourism destinations in Johor that could attract visitors from local and abroad," he said.
Earlier, the Sultan granted an audience to state housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, who presented the plans for the upgrading works of the zoo.
He said that the upgrading works are expected to begin soon and the zoo would resume operation by the end of this year.
"The state government has allocated almost RM1mil for the zoo, which is used for maintenance, paying workers' salary, feeding the animals and various other costs.
"Currently, the price of the tickets is RM2 for adults and RM1 for children. We are also studying the price of the tickets but we will make sure that it will not be a burden for visitors and will also be cheaper compared to other zoos," he said.
The 95-year-old zoo, located at the heart of Johor Baru town is the oldest zoo in the country.
It was opened in 1928 by Almarhum Sultan Sir Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar and was then known as 'Kebun Binatang'.
