Animal house: (right) Nurlyana sharing a moment with daughter Hairul Ivy Dhia Iris Khairul Johari and their pet porcupine Blacky, while a civet sits on her shoulders; (left) Nurlyana feeding the family’s pet guinea pig beside their home’s crocodile enclosure.
PETALING JAYA: He has about 30 pets, effectively turning his home into a mini zoo.
“These animals are not just pets. They are part of our family. They teach us about acceptance and unconditional love,” said Khairul Johari Mohd Denie, 42.
He has crocodiles, civets, porcupines, pigeons and birds, to name a few.
Among his animals, Dino the monitor lizard holds a particularly special place in his heart, as he has cared for it since 2015.
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However, it is his seven porcupines that have recently captured attention online, following Khairul’s upload of a photograph featuring his youngest daughter, just two years old, sleeping peacefully beside their pet porcupine, Blacky, completely unfazed by its prickly spines.
Khairul said that the porcupines are affectionate in nature and not aggressive if properly cared for as household pets.
These rodents, he said, would only raise their quills if they felt threatened.
“And captive-bred porcupines are accustomed to humans. The porcupines enjoy playing with my children because they love the affection and attention from the kids,” said the father of four.
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Khairul, a former nurse who quit his job in 2017 to become a full-time goat herder, animal keeper and farmer, said his routine now includes checking the animal enclosures every day, feeding the animals, and cleaning their cages.
He said the monthly expenses of keeping the animals at his home in Kajang, Selangor, are “surprisingly manageable” at about RM150 to RM200.
He explained that he buys chicken heads from sundry shops to feed his crocodile, while discarded vegetables from these shops would go to animals that prefer greens.
“The challenge is to ensure each animal gets the right kind of care, as every species has different sets of needs.”
He said his wife, Nurlyana Nazmi Nazir, 34, supported his passion, with their home drawing curious looks.
“Our children are growing up in an environment filled with animals, which fosters a natural compassion for the.”
Khairul said that he has registered his animals with the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) and encourages others to do the same, adding that it is a safeguard for the animals and owners.
“Get a licence. And get the animal from registered breeders so that it is easier to obtain a licence.”
Khairul spoke about the different categories of licences, adding that a “normal licence” to keep a porcupine was just about RM20.
“My first pet was a python that I found near a bush while playing football. My father allowed me to keep it, but at that time I was unaware that certain animals require licences.
“If you find an animal, don’t just keep it quietly. Call Perhilitan.
“You may not know which type of animal is actually under special protection.”
Citing an example, he said that he once found a squirrel.
“So I kept it. But, Perhilitan informed me that keeping it requires a special permit.”
Since he has licences to keep his pets, Khairul said that Perhilitan officers conduct annual checks, which he welcomes saying: “It makes owners accountable.”
Khairul’s dream is to open a wildlife conservation centre, just like his idol the late Australian conservationist Steve Irwin, famously known as the Crocodile Hunter.
