Claims of missing lion and birds is untrue, says Melaka Zoo

MELAKA: The Melaka Zoo has refute accusations of the "disappearance" of a white lion and 150 parrots.

Its director, Zanariah Khamis, said a state executive councillor would call for a press conference to clear the air about the matter upon consultation with its legal team.

“The statement on the missing lion and birds is incorrect, and it’s not the final audit report.

“A private and confidential document has been leaked to the media, and the false allegation has now smeared our reputation,” she said when contacted on Monday (Dec 4).

Zanariah was responding to claims that the 2022 Auditor-General’s Report mentioned that 150 parrots and a white lion purchased in December 2020 and April 2021 for RM12,000 and RM60,000, respectively, were nowhere to be found at the zoo.

A vernacular media has reported on the matter based on what it says to be the report that was released on Nov 22.

The "missing" animals issue was also raised by Ayer Keroh assemblyman Kerk Chee Yee at the state assembly last week.

Zanariah claimed that the auditors had cleared the menagerie over the disparity in the initial stage of their audit, and the outcome was registered in its final report.

She said the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council, which oversees the zoo's management, has all the documents on the procurements of animals.

“It’s unfair for us as the issue of the missing animal does not reflect the truth.

“Anyway, the truth will prevail when the press conference is called to clear the air,” she added.