Mohd Jafni presenting the upgrading plan for the Johor Zoo to Sultan Ibrahim.
THE Johor Zoo is planning to introduce an Animal Adoption Programme for the private sector to help with food, upkeep and veterinary care of the animals once the zoo reopens next month.
Johor state housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the state will also be working with Zoo Negara and Zoo Melaka to conduct an animal exchange programme as part of the government’s conservation efforts.
“This is something we are currently looking at after our working visits to Zoo Negara and Zoo Melaka earlier this year.
“The private sector conducted their adoption programme as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to lower the cost of animal care.
Mohd Jafni (second from left) visiting the Johor Zoo to oversee the progress of the upgrading works.
“We also plan to embark on an animal exchange programme. Some of the animals at these three zoos lack female or male populations, so we hope to conduct an exchange programme so that we can breed them,” he said when met at his office in Kota Iskandar.
He shared that the upgrading works have now reached more than 90% and are expected to be completed by next month.
The overall cost of upgrading works is about RM8.1mil, of which about RM7mil was allocated for the first phase.
“We initially targeted to reopen the zoo in April. However, there was an issue with the sewage treatment plant, so we decided to resolve the matter first and postpone the reopening,” he said.
“One of the changes we have made is that the public can view the animals from outside even after closing hours. Previously, they were not able to do so due to the fences and surrounding trees.
“In addition, an e-ticketing system will be introduced to enter the zoo. The walkway at the entrance has also been upgraded so that visitors will feel more comfortable as they walk around the zoo.
An e-ticketing system will be introduced to enter the zoo, and the walkway has been upgraded to enhance visitors’ comfort as they explore the grounds.
“There are also areas where visitors can rest and gather, as well as playgrounds for children,” he said, adding that the government will also look into upgrading facilities for the handicapped during the second phase of upgrading works.
He said the upgrading works include covered walkways and the main road transformation project from two lanes to single lanes to enable more parking spaces, besides making it easier for buses to make a U-turn.
“Once completed, we will have about 50 parking spaces. Previously, there were only a few parking spaces available by the roadside. We plan to have more parking areas in the second phase as well,” said Mohd Jafni.
The second phase of upgrading works is expected to start at year end, he added.
He also expects the number of visitors to increase by at least 30% once the zoo reopens.
“Before the zoo’s closure in 2020, we recorded more than 600,000 visitors every year.
“The number of visitors daily is about 1,700, which is quite a lot. So, we might need to look into limiting the number of entries per session or limiting the visiting time inside the zoo so that more people can enter.
“Our zoo is quite small and it would take an hour to complete a tour of the place,” he said, adding that it is about 4.2ha in size.On the possibility of opening the Johor Zoo at night, Mohd Jafni said that would need to be discussed.
The overall cost of upgrading the Johor Zoo is about RM8.1mil.
“There are requests to emulate what has been practised at the Singapore Zoo, but their night safari uses vehicles which require a lot of space to move around. We do not have that kind of space in our zoo.
“But we hope to be able to give the same level of experience and convenience to those who visit the Johor Zoo,” he explained.
He said the ticket prices will still be affordable and cheaper than other zoos in the country.
“We have not finalised the ticket prices. Previously, the tickets were priced at RM1 for children and RM2 for adults. The new prices will be announced later.
“But His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has previously decreed that the ticket prices must be affordable for all visitors,” he said adding that Sultan Ibrahim is passionate about animals and hopes to replicate Johor’s efforts in other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Johor Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association chairman Jarod Chia said the reopening of the Johor Zoo is expected to increase hotel bookings in the city.
Among the zoo’s many attractions is the silvery gibbon, also known as Hylobates muelleri or Ungka Borneo.
“It is an important tourist spot in the city centre and the more such places we have, the more visitors will come here.
“It can also be listed as one of the tourism packages when coming to the state, so visitors would have more programmes and stay here longer,” he said.
Johor Tourist Guides Association chairman Jimmy Leong concurred, saying that the Johor Zoo will complement other existing tourist attractions in the city.
“Families would have more options on where to spend their time, which in turn will positively impact our local economy, especially in the tourism industry,” he said.
Johor Zoo, which is located in Johor Baru, was first opened in 1928 and is the oldest zoo in the country.
It was opened by Almarhum Sultan Sir Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar and was then known as Kebun Binatang.
There are currently 320 animals in the zoo, comprising 83 species of mammals, 135 species of reptiles, 14 species of primates and 88 species of birds.
