RM1.3 mil boost for Zoo Negara in June, ministry says

KUALA LUMPUR –  The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry (KeTSA) has channelled a RM1.3 million Wildlife Welfare Caring Fund to Zoo Negara in June.

Minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, in a statement yesterday, said the fund, through the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), was aimed at helping cover the cost of providing food supply to the animals to face the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said KeTSA had provided an allocation of RM10.2 million under the Wildlife Welfare Caring Fund programme for the affected Zoo and Permanent Exhibition (ZPT) premises.

He said the allocation was aimed at alleviating the burden of the operating costs of the premises to ensure the welfare of wildlife in all ZPT continued to be protected.

He said 21 ZPTs had submitted applications, and funds had been channelled in stages starting May.

 He further explained that, apart from that, KeTSA has also implemented several short-term actions to ensure the welfare of the wildlife at all ZPT was looked after.

In addition, Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said it included specifically extending the 15% monthly electricity bill discount for six months to ZPT under the Economic Stimulus Package.

"Also, distributing 15 tonnes of donated items by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department, including meat, vegetables and fruits to ZPT premises.

"And, providing technical assistance to ZPT, especially in husbandry management," he said in the statement.

He said this after issues relating to Zoo Negara went viral, which led to questions on the role of the government in overcoming the problem of economic activities of ZPT operators affected by the movement control order. – Bernama, November 17, 2020