KUALA LUMPUR – Zoo Negara will finally be reopened to the public tomorrow. This follows closure for the duration of the movement control orders in recent months.
It is resuming opertaions on the back of the announcement that the Klang Valley would move to Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) on September 10.
According to a New Straits Times report, Zoo Negara deputy president Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana said they were eagerly anticipating visitors.
In conjunction with the reopening, the zoo will be providing special offers.
"Visitors on Friday will enjoy a 20% discount on ticket prices, ranging from RM18 (Malaysian children under 12), RM23 (Malaysian senior citizens), RM45 (Malaysian adults) to RM88 for foreigners," said Rosly.
He added the first 500 visitors would also be given unlimited access to the zoo from January to March next year, except on weekends and public holidays.
The zoo management and staff were relieved at finally being able to reopen.
"The zoo depends on ticket sales for income, which goes not only towards care of the animals, but also staff salary. During the months of closure, we were only able to survive thanks to savings put aside, as well as donations, for which we are very grateful."
Among the highlights in store for visitors is the new giant panda cub born in May this year.
Rosly said this was the third panda cub to be born in Malaysia.
"With the addition of the latest cub, we now have four giant pandas in the exhibit."
The zoo had also added 26 new exhibits. There is a new tapir calf, a Reptile House and four ring-tailed lemurs which it had received from Singapore.
The Reptile House, he said, hosted a selection of reptiles from across the globe.
"We also have a very rare King Cheetah, one of just 32 in the world, and born right here in our zoo back in 2018."
On the new norm, Rosly said face masks were a must and visitors would have to enter in groups to avoid congestion. – The Vibes, September 30, 2021
