5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Zoo Negara

Pique Your Curiosity At Animals Galore

Take a walk to the wild side and marvel at over 5137 animals from 476 species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and birds. From the beautiful, majestic to downright bizarre; be amazed at animals that are uniquely different from the next. With their animated antics and charming personalities, you’re in for a visual treat.

The majestic tiger at Zoo Negara

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor Australia

Fun For The Whole Family

The perfect way to spend a day with your family; a visit to the zoo promises to be an eye opening experience for all. From watching monkeys swinging from tree to tree, turtles basking on logs to seals putting on an exuberant performance, there’s truly something for everyone.

A Gibbon Monkey at Zoo Negara

Photo Credit: Kipling Malaysia

Fosters Environmental Awareness

Visiting a zoo can help you gain a better understanding about the importance of caring for the environment and how it plays an important role on the welfare and lives of animals. Learn more about how different animals are taken care of and how conservation efforts are carried out. Visitors can also acquire insights at how each animal go about living their daily lives at the zoo with each exhibit.

A volunteer feeding a turtle at Zoo Negara

Photo Credit: The Rocket

Get A Hands-On Experience

Many zoos offer petting areas and Zoo Negara is no different! Interact with deers, goats and miniature horses to get an idea of how each animal behaves amidst their enclosures. Let your kids be entertained at the Children’s World where they can compare the size of an elephant’s foot and tooth or marvel at the shape of an emu’s egg. Visitors may also check out the Cave where the skulls of primates and different parts of animals are showcased.  

The Cave at the Children's World In Zoo Negara

Photo Credit: Zoo Negara Malaysia

Great Value For Money

At a little under RM80 for foreigners or RM42 for Malaysians, going to Zoo Negara is an affordable experience for the whole family. From fishing at the zoo, witnessing the of creepy mannerisms of arachnids, pandas lazing about to feeding cute and furry animals; there’s never a shortage of picture perfect moments.

A panda spotted at Zoo Negara

Photo Credit: World of Buzz

 

5 Endangered Animals At Zoo Negara That Deserve The Spotlight

Zoo Negara is more than just a home for hundreds of animal species, it’s also a conservation centre for endangered and vulnerable wildlife. Contrary to popular belief, not all zoos are unethical and cruel. Zoos take part in conservations efforts to improve and preserve any vulnerable wildlife. Take the giant panda, for instance. They were once classified as an endangered species, but with the help of sophisticated captive breeding programs, their numbers are increasing and they’ve been downgraded to vulnerable status instead.

Zoos play an important role in preserving biodiversity, on top of educating the public about these threatened species. One of Zoo Negara’s missions is the conservation of Malaysian wildlife.

Here are some of the amazing creatures you’ll have the opportunity to see when you’re at Malaysia’s National Zoo!

1. Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus)

Malayan Tapir at Zoo Negara, 2006 (Photo Credit: zoochat.com)

The Malayan Tapir is classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which means they’re at a high risk of extinction in the wild. Also known as the Asian or Malay Tapir, these Tapirs are threatened by habitat destruction in Thailand and Myanmar especially. However, the Malayan Tapir population in Malaysia and Southern Thailand are considered to be the largest and most resilient.

2. Orangutan (Sumatran – Pongo abelii & Borean – Pongo pygmaeus)

Orangutan at Zoo Negara, 2013 (Photo Credit: wikipedia.com)

Both species of orangutan at the zoo, the Bornean Orangutan and the Sumatran Orangutan, are classified as critically endangered animals. This means they’re facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Habitat degradation due to logging activities is one of the main reasons the orangutan population is declining. The IUCN reports that both these species are expected to suffer a population decline of more than 80% over a three-generation period, if the previously observed rate of decline continues.

3. Malaysian Giant Turtle (Orlitia borneensis)

Malaysian Giant Turtle (Photo Credit: wikipedia.com)

The Malaysian Giant Turtle is also called the Bornean River Turtle and they’re the largest freshwater turtle species in Southeast Asia. Large numbers of these turtles are being illegally traded in the East Asian food market for their meat despite official protection, leading to their decreasing population and endangered status.

4. Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis)

Siamese Crocodile in Bangkok (Photo Credit: Ben Dupon, flickr.com)

Here’s another critically endangered entry on our list – the Siamese Crocodile. In 1992, these crocodiles were believed to be “virtually extinct”, with their status recorded as critically endangered and remaining unchanged since 1996. One of the most endangered crocodile species out there, these crocodiles are under threat because they’re being hunted for their skin and their eggs are being collected illegally as well. Due to their smaller size, the Siamese Crocodiles are also in danger of being accidentally captured in fishing gear.

5. Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)

Bengal Tiger (Photo Credit: wikipedia.com)

Perhaps one of the more well-known endangered animals is the Bengal Tiger. Although it’s the most abundant tiger species in Asia, their numbers are dwindling with fewer than 2,500 individuals. These tigers are at risk because of poaching and habitat fragmentation. The IUCN states that the Bengal Tigers are facing a population area decline of 50%, and will continue to decline unless conservation efforts are increased.