MELAKA: The Malayan sun bears at Melaka Zoo are real and have even given birth to two cubs, says a Melaka exco member.
State housing and local government, climate change and disaster management committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin said there are now four sun bears at the menagerie but he was unsure whether these animals had previously stood up on their hind feet.
“I am not sure whether they can wave at people but the bears here is original and not humans in costumes,” he said on Saturday (Aug 5) when asked about a recent trending topic of a sun bear named Angela from Hangzhou Zoo in China that apparently looked like a human in a costume.
Hangzhou Zoo addressed the wild allegations by stating the sun bear standing up and staring at bemused-looking visitors was not a human but the animal itself.
The video of the bear drew attention as spectators noticed its slender legs and folds of fur that made the creature appear as if it was a human in a bear costume.
Rais said the sun bear at Melaka Zoo has given birth twice and he even had the chance to get a glimpse of the animals when visiting the menagerie.
The Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) earned its name from the bright golden patch on its chest.
It is the smallest member of the bear family, and can be found in the dense lowland forests of South-east Asia.
Earlier, Rais launched the World Tiger Day at the zoo together with Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) president Datin Sapiah Haron and Melaka Wildlife and National Park (Perhilitan) director Petra Sulai on Saturday (Aug 5).
Rais said the state is committed to spearhead conservation and preservation of the Malayan tiger with only four of the animals available in the zoo.
He said the tiger population, which was previously widespread in the country, has seen its numbers dwindle to less than 150 animals in the wild and it’s crucial now to embark on programmes to help the tiger population to thrive.
“These tigers would go into extinction if there were no exceptional conservation efforts and commitment to conserve the species.
“We must not forget that the Malayan tiger is a symbol of our nation’s Jata Negara (coat of arms) and we can’t let it go extinct,”he said.
Rais said he had also requested Perhilitan to reconsider Melaka Zoo as the centre of Malayan tiger conservation and rehabilitation.
He said Melaka Zoo had once had a captive-breeding programme for Malayan tigers when the management of the managrie was under Perhilitan.
“Therefore, I have requested Perhilitan to look into reviving the zoo as a Malayan tiger conservation site by providing the expertise in animal care,”he said.
Rais said a safari is also in the pipeline to add more attractions to Melaka Zoo.
He said the proposed safari will occupy a 220ha site including incorporating the nearby Ayer Keroh Aviary Park as part of the package for the concept.
Rais said he is rushing for the safari project to take-off and expects the groundbreaking for the project to be held early next year in view of Visit Melaka Year 2024 (TMM 2024).
