Friday, November 19, 2010

National Zoo Zoo Negara 国家动物园

Zoo Negara (literally National Zoo in Malay) is a zoo in Malaysia located on 110 acres (45 ha) of land in Ulu Klang, near Taman Melawati, in north-east Kuala Lumpur. It was officially opened on 14 November 1963. The park is managed by a non-governmental organization known as the Malaysian Zoological Society. For funding, Zoo Negara relies on gate collections and on support from donors and sponsors.
Zoo Negara is home to 5137 animals of 459 different species. Over the years, the zoo has transformed itself to an open concept zoo with over 90% of its animals kept in spacious exhibits with landscape befitting its nature.

Zoo Negara received MS ISO 9001:2008 certification in July 2007, and is a member of the South East Asian Zoos Association (SEAZA). The President and chairman of the zoo is Y. Bhg. Dato’ Ismail Hutson.
In 1957, the Malayan Agri-Horticultural Association (MAHA) opened a miniature zoo. After the creation of the mini-zoo, the idea of proper zoo gradually gained momentum, and the federal government chose a spot in Ulu Klang, Selangor next to the border of Kuala Lumpur. In the 1960s, Ulu Klang was an undeveloped green area. In 1963, the first Prime Minister of Malaya (now Malaysia) YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman opened the zoo to the public. Zoo Negara was known as the "Zoo in the Jungle" due to the greenery that surrounded the area.
The zoo welcomed its millionth visitor on February 14, 1966, just three years after opening, and by 1986, the zoo was welcoming over 1 million visitors per year.[1]
The area surrounding the zoo was covered with thick vegetation until the late 1970s as Kuala Lumpur underwent an economic boom. Given Ulu Klang's close proximity with Kuala Lumpur, the area was opened for large scale development as a planned residential area in the 1980s. It has expanded in terms of population ever since. The development has caused the zoo's surrounding areas and also increases the land value where the zoo is located.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, there were plans to move the zoo to other locations in Selangor. However, the plans were largely unpopular among the public as it is seen as an effort by some developers to capitalise on the value of the zoo's large land. With the support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Selangor State Government, Zoo Negara will not be relocated.
Reptile Park

Crocodile at Reptile House
The Reptile Park has both indoor and outdoor exhibits, and includes estuarine or saltwater crocodiles, freshwater crocodiles, false gharial, and African dwarf crocodile. It also exhibits tortoises and terrapins, including the Aldabran tortoise (the second largest tortoise species in the world) and the local Tutong or river terrapin. Snakes in the collection include the reticulated python, and many venomous snakes.[5]
The Amphibian World center at the Reptile Park has a variety of frogs and toads that originate from various habitats in Malaysia.
Monkey/Lesser Apes
The zoo's collection of monkeys and lesser apes include gibbons, siamang, silver leaf monkey, long tailed macaque, and pig-tailed Macaque.[5]
Malaysian Elephants
The Malaysian Elephants exhibit is home to three Malaysian elephants: Siti (24 years), Sibol (23 years) and Triang (male, 21 years), which have all been in the zoo since they were very young.[5]
Malaysian Elephants

Lake Birds
The Lake Birds exhibit includes Painted storks, ibis, egrets, swans, pelicans, and milky storks.[5]
Bird Aviary
With over 100 species of birds from all around the world, walk in Aviary is also home to a variety of free flying birds.[5] The Birds Photo Corner in the aviary lets visitors take souvenir photos with a variety of macaws and cockatoos on weekends.

Milky stork

Cat Walk
The Cat Walk includes African lions, Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, and Malayan tigerss.

Malayan Tiger in the water.     
Ape Centre
The Ape Centre is home to Bornean and Sumatran orangutans, and chimpanzees.
    
Other Animals
Other animals in the zoo's collection include Swamp Deer, guanaco, nyala, Red Lechwe, Sugar Glider, barasingha, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Sika Deer, wild boar, bearded pig, Banteng, gaur, and seladang.
 Barasingha 

Wild boar

  

[edit] Other attractions


  • Sea Lions, macaques and macaws are part of a Multi-Animal Show that is shown twice daily.


  • Train rides and guided tours are available on weekends.


  • The Mini Bee Museum is located at the heart of Zoo Negara and helps educate visitors about the many types of bees in the country.


  • The Multi-Animal Photo Corner is located by the zoo's main entrance, and is opens on weekends. Visitors can have their pictures taken with snakes, miniature horses and birds


  • Bird with small bill, black back and head, white forehead and belly and red breast facing right on branch


  • Address:
    Zoo Negara Malaysia
    Jalan Ulu Kelang
    68000 Ampang
    Selangor Darul Ehsan

    Tel: +60 3 4108 3422
    Fax: +60 3 4107 5375
    Adults: RM15.-
    Children: RM 10,-

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