Johor Zoo Welcomes Corporate Companies, Individuals, NGOs To Foster Animals - Exco

JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- The Johor government welcomes corporate companies, individuals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to participate in Johor Zoo’s foster-an-animal programme, especially in financing the cost of food supplies for the 275 animals housed there.

State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the campaign on the programme began a few months ago as part of efforts to ensure the welfare and management of animals can be carried out continuously.

"The work (of adopting animals) has started. There are several state and federal agencies including state government-linked companies (GLCs) that are very interested in becoming adoptive families to these zoo animals and we welcome them very much,” he told reporters after carrying out an inspection on the first day of the reopening of the Johor Zoo here today.

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“The campaign is important as feeding animals in the zoo is quite expensive. For example, we spend RM250,000 on food alone to feed an elephant a year."

In relation to the reopening of the Johor Zoo, he said that as of 9.45 am today, the zoo, which will operate daily from 9 am to 6 pm, received 3,500 visitors.

"Visitors queued up from as early as 7.15 am, resulting in the zoo opening its doors earlier today at 8.30 am instead of 9 am. We expect over 10,000 people to visit the zoo by 6 pm today," he said, adding that the Johor Zoo is home to 53 species of animals comprising four groups, namely mammals, primates, reptiles and birds.

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Mohd Jafni said from today until Sept 30, in conjunction with the zoo's reopening, the state government is offering a 50 per cent discount for RM10 adult tickets, while it is offering free entry for children, the elderly and disabled.

Meanwhile, a visitor Elena Ho, 63, who used to work in a bank, said the last time she visited the Johor Zoo was 40 years ago, so she was excited to bring her grandchildren on a visit there.

“The zoo is neater and nicer. Previously, there were fewer animals but it is different now. My grandchildren were also happy to see so many animals,” said Elena, who adds that there should be more ticket counters for smoother operations.

A factory employee, S Angelena, 29, from Ulu Tiram said this is her first time visiting the Johor Zoo with her three-year-old son.

“Last year, I came here with my son but the zoo was closed. I have been following its developments on social media and found out that the zoo was reopening today. I suggest the zoo increases the number of activities that allows visitors to interact with the animals," she said.

The Johor Zoo, located on Jalan Gertak Merah here, first opened in 1928 and is the country's oldest zoo covering an area of ​​4.73 hectares. It has been closed to visitors for more than three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and followed by work to upgrade facilities and infrastructure.

-- BERNAMA