Zoo Negara, Malaysia, 14th April 2007

It was one of those Saturdays where there are no good movies to catch and no friends to chill out with. A few options came up and somehow the idea of going to the zoo captivated me. I had visited the zoo in Melbourne, Singapore and Malacca, but never the our own national zoo.

The drive to the Zoo is simple enough. Hit the MRR2 and drive northwards (if you are coming from the southern area like PJ) or drive eastward if coming from the city. Since I had passed that area a few times, I just looked for the sign pointing to Kuantan till the road signs showing "Zoo Negara" appeared.

There were ample parking spaces at the first parking lot (there are 2). Under the blazing sun, I was glad to find a spot below some shady trees.

There weren't any customer at the ticket counter, so I quickly walked up and asked for one adult ticket (RM15). The lady was quite surprised and confirmed with me that I only needed one ticket. I guessed most people go to zoos in a bigger group. Instead of getting a traditional ticket, I was given a paper wrist tag that has a barcode. Visitors have to wear this tag and scan it at the entrance upon entry and exit.

Despite the empty lines outside, there was already quite a lot of people in the zoo. Instead of the drab and unkept environment I was half expecting, I was glad that the place looks very lively, with lots of little shops selling souvenirs and snacks at the entrance.





Opposite the entrance to the multi-animal show there's this big pool with HUGE fishes.


Entrance to the aquarium. Very nicely done, it's as if you are walking down into a cavern.



The inside of the aquarium with display cases. The display is arranged according to the type and location the fishes can be found, from the highland river to the ocean.





After leaving the cool airconditioned aquarium, it's face to face with ....




Pygmy Hippopotamus / Badak Air Kerdil
choeropsis liberiensis
NOCTURNAL CREATURES
- They seek food at higher and drier ground and are most active from late evening till midnight.
- A secretion of mucus keeps its hide moist and shiny, while protecting it from the sun's rays.
- Solitary; avoid encounters with others of the same species. As with the Nile Hippo, they mark their territories with dung.
HABITAT
Streams, wet forests and swamps
DISTRIBUTION
Liberia to Sierra Leone


This is one of those enclosures that smelt bad...but I guess it goes with the territority.


Bearded Pig /Babi Berjanggut
Sus barbatus
BEARD ON SNOUT
- Dominant male may lead herdds of up to 100 animals.
- Herds follow deeding Gibbons and Macaques to eat fruits dropped from trees.
- Give birth in nests made of ferns and twigs.
DISTRIBUTION
Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and the Philippines
HABITAT
Tropical rainforsts, secondary forests and mangroves
DIET
Roots, fungi, small animals, eggs, carrion & plants
THREAT- Habitat Loss



Ok, these guys are huge....and those muscles make them look like they were on steriods.


INDIAN GAUR / Seladang India
Bos gaurus gaurus
20 In a group
- Spends most of its time grazing (early morning or late evening) or resting
- If startled, they crash through the jungle at high speeds
- Not aggresive, but can be dangerous if wounded or approached too closely
DISTRIBUTION
India & Nepal
HABITAT
Forested country
DIET
Grass
THREAT - Habitat Loss



Domestic dispute?

Nag nag nag....

Hrmmph! Could use a cold beer in this weather.

Asiatic Black Bear / Beruang Hitam Asia
Ursus thibetanus
Also known as the Moon Bear
- Often found in trees, foraging for nuts and fruits.
- They make nests of sticks in trees where they sleep during the summer.
Much of it's habitat has been replaced by farmland.



You jump, I jump!

This otters are the cutest, most energetic and playful creatures around. And they do know how to work the crowd and a bit of attention seekers.


Swimming towards the next group of visitors.

Wheeee!!! Otters gliding down the slippery slope.

Small-Clawed Otter / Memerang Kecil
Aonyx cinerea
Smallest otter!
- Smallest otter; weighs only 3kg.
- Usually found in groups of 4-6; but can reach up to 12 individuals.
- Short claws do not extend beyond the tip of their toes.
HABITAT
Coastal Estuaries, large rivers, small streams and p0nds.
DISTRIBUTION
South East Asia
DIET
Molluscs, crustaceans and fish.


OK, this picture does do not do justice to the size of this bear. It is huge! And definately doesn't look the most cute or cuddly bear in the zoo.

Brown Bear / Beruang Coklat
Ursus arctos
LARGEST LIVING CARNIVORE
- Can run at speeds of 57km/h for short distances
- May attack humans when threatened or when their young are in danger
- Sleep thru the winter when the food gets scarce. Heart rate drop to 8 - 12 beats per minute as they sleep
DISTRIBUTION
Wooded areas and barren land
HABITAT
Peninsular Alaska and mostly throughout Northern Atmosphere.
DIET
Fruits, flowers, insects and small mammals
THREATS
Hunted for their fur, sport and as a presumed threat to human



Barking Dear / Kijang
Muntiacus muntjak
MOSTLY ACTIVE AT NIGHT
- Only males have antlers which are shed annually
- Makes a barking noise when alarmed
- Young remains hidden in bushes until it is able to move with its mother
DISTRIBUTION
From India to southern China & South East Asia
HABITAT
Hilly areas with dense foliage
DIET
Grass, leaves & shoots
THREATS
Hunted for meat and skin


Awww...so adorable...if only humans can be so tolerant.

Tapir / Cipan
Tapirus Indicus
SHY CREATURES
- Young tapirs are dark with yellow and white stripes & spots
- Good hill climbers, runners, sliders, waders, divers & swimmers
- Food is pulled into mouth with their mobile elephant trunk-like nose
DISTRIBUTION
Myanmar, Indochina, Malaysia, Thailand & Indonesia
HABITAT
Grassy area with permanent water supply
DIET
Aquatic vegetation, fruits and leaves
THREAT
Hunted for food and sport


Here's a shot of the flamingos from one side of a large pool.




Greater Flamingo / Flamingo Besar
Phoenicopterus ruber
LONG NECK AND LEGS
- Largest member of the Flamingo family (Height: up to 1.3m)
- Larger size allows it to wade into deeper waters to feed
- While feeding, can keep its head underwater for up to 20 seconds
DISTRIBUTION
Central & South America, Caribbean, Southwestern Europe, Asia and Africa
HABITAT
Variety of freshwater and saline habitats, salt lakes, estuaries and lagoons
DIET
Insects, worms, microscopic algae & pieces of vegetation
THREAT
Habitat Loss


Caribbean Flamingo / Flamingo 'Caribbean'
Phoenicopterus ruber ruber
BRIGHTEST OF THEM ALL
- Caribbean Flamingos are the brightest coloured flamingo species
- A flamingo ankle can be found halfway up the leg
- While resting, flamingos face the wind to stop wind and rain penetrating their feathers
DISTRIBUTION
Yucatan, Bahamas, Galapagos Islands and northern parts of South America
HABITAT
Variety of freshwater and saline habitats, particularly salt lakes, estuaries and lagoons.
DIET
Brine-shrimp, larval and pupal forms of flies
THREAT
Habitat Loss




White Rhinoceros / Badak Sumbu Putih
Ceratotherium simum
2ND LARGEST LIVING LAND MAMMAL
- Its name comes from the Afrikans word 'weit', which means wide, describing its mouth
- A rhino's horn grows from the skin and is made up of keratin fibre, the same material found in hair and nails
- Edge of territory marked with dung piles
DISTRIBUTION
Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zamibia, Zimbabwe
HABITAT
Open woodland or open savannah with permanent water
DIET
Grasses and low shrubs
THREAT
Killed for its horn which is used for traditional medicine.

Here's a few random shots taken at the open "Savannah Walk"





The nice shaded area facing the Savannah Walk.....perfect for a picnic.






What'chu looking at?

Dromedary Camel / Unta
Camelus dromedarius
EXTINCT IN THE WILD
- When food and water is scarce, it can loose up to 40% of its body weight
- Thick and long eye lashes to protect eyes from the sand
- Stores fat in the hump
DISTRIBUTION
North and East Africa, West and South Asia
HABITAT
Desert
DIET
Plants, bones and carcasses


More writeups and pictures coming up soon. Sorry travelling now and I have a lousy connection.

Facts about the animals are courtesy of the display boards in the zoo.

Photos and information in this blog represents only a small part of the zoo. I would advice you to visit it and learn more about our animal kingdom. It's definately worth it.