MELAKA: Melaka Zoo is celebrating the birth of a healthy male cheetah cub.
Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council's (MPHTJ) President Datin Sapiah Haron, shared that the cub is the sole survivor from a litter of two, as its sibling sadly died shortly after birth.
“We are currently holding a competition to name the cheetah.
"Initially, MPHTJ had proposed the name ‘Jebat’, but a suggestion was made to open the naming process to the public,” she said during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at Melaka Mall in Ayer Keroh here on Thursday (April 17).
The event was also attended by the Chief Minister of Melaka, Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, along with other state leaders.
Sapiah, who recently visited the zoo, said that the 50-day-old cub is “absolutely adorable”.
"Now we have six cheetahs in Melaka Zoo," she said.
Sapiah also announced that the zoo is offering discounted admission fees in conjunction with World Tourism Day, which will be celebrated in Melaka.
"We’ve seen a noticeable increase in tourist numbers since the discounted rates were introduced,” she added.
In a separate matter, Sapiah stated that MPHTJ enforcement officers will continue efforts to clamp down on unlicensed roadside stalls operated by foreigners within its jurisdiction.
She noted that many of these individuals were seen selling food items in industrial areas.
“We have consistently carried out operations to stop these unauthorised businesses,” she said.