New Zoo Exhibits, Reopening Of Bukit Larut Resort, To Spur Tourism In Taiping

IPOH, Feb 5 (Bernama) – The opening of ten reptile enclosures, a dedicated amphibian house (House of Reptiles & Amphibians), and the Colours of Amazon exhibition are among the latest attractions at Taiping Zoo & Night Safari (ZTNS) for the Chinese New Year and school holiday season.

Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) president Khairul Amir Mohamad Zubir said the new exhibits feature a diverse collection of reptiles and amphibians from various habitats.

“The new exhibits allow visitors to get a closer look at the unique characteristics of these species,” he said in a statement.

Among the featured species are the boa snake, vine snake, monocled cobra, king cobra, reticulated python, temple viper, Asian river toad and Weber’s sailfin lizard. 

Meanwhile, the Colours of Amazon exhibition immerses visitors in the beauty and biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest, showcasing species such as the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), orange-winged Amazon parrot (Amazona amazonica), black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) and scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber).

He said the new attractions are part of ZTNS’s efforts to raise awareness about the importance of protecting endangered reptiles, amphibians as well as tropical wildlife species.

“This initiative also aims to cultivate visitors’ interest in biodiversity and the significance of preserving nature’s ecosystem,” he added.

In a separate development, he said the Bukit Larut hill resort in Taiping is set to reopen on April 1, after being closed since November 2019 due to landslides.

The reopening follows the completion of repair and upgrading works on four bungalows atop Bukit Larut last year, which was funded by the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT).

During the closure, the Public Works Department (JKR) carried out repairs on landslide-affected slopes and roads in stages.

“The reopening of this resort, with several operational improvements, aligns with preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (TMM 2026) next year. MPT does not want to be left behind in our effort to boost the tourism sector, especially in Taiping,” he said.

Three bungalows, Beringin, Angkasa, and Tempinis will be available for overnight stays, with rental rates ranging from RM500 to RM1,000 per night.

Visitors can choose to rent the entire bungalow or one of the rooms in the bungalow. Individual rooms within the bungalows can be rented for RM150 to RM500 per night. 

Additionally, the jeep rental service for transportation up Bukit Larut will resume, but only for guests staying in the bungalows.

For adventure seekers, the campsite at Bukit Larut will begin operating starting Feb 17. Visitors are required to fill out an indemnity form and scan the QR code provided upon entering and exiting the Bukit Larut resort area.

-- BERNAMA