Zoo Melaka

Infobox zoo
zoo_name = Melaka Zoo
Zoo Melaka ms icon

logo_width =
logo_caption =


image_width = 50px
image_caption =
date_opened = 1963
August 13, 1987 (To Public)
date_closed =
location = Ayer Keroh, Melaka, Malaysia
area = 54 acres
coordinates = coord|2|16|40|N|102|18|6|E|display=inline,title
num_animals = 1200
num_species = 215
members = , SEAZA
website = http://zoomelaka.gov.my/index.html

Zoo Melaka (

History

The zoo was established in the year 1963, along with Zoo Negara although its management later were took by the The Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Malaysia in 1979.This enhances its operations and upgrade its services for public’s benefit being used as a wildlife rescue base before it was opened to the public by the then Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohammad on August 13, 1987. Although it has long been opened to the public, it's primary roles as a rescue base and an animal sanctuary are still kept and never changed.Kelantan -- [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/14/nation/18022662&sec=nation The Star] ] [A gharial mission -- [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/4/25/nation/17544973&sec=nation The Star] ] [Crocodile capture [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/11/nation/20918201&sec=nation The Star] ] Within decades, it greatly expanded to become a large zoo and now houses a great number of birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, insects and even grown to be the second biggest zoo behind Ulu Klang's Zoo Negara and subsequently bigger than Zoo Taiping.

The Zoo

Zoo Melaka was the first zoo in Malaysia to exhibit the critically endangered Sumatran Rhinoceros. It also houses overseas as well as local beauties such as the White Rhinoceros, Asian Elephants, Red Panda, Malaysian Gaur, the Serow, the Squirrel Monkey, the Molurus Python, the Grey Wolf, the Mongolian Wild Horse, the Green Tree Python, the Giraffe, the Blue-and-yellow Macaw and also the Indochinese Tiger as well as the Malayan Tiger [List of mammals -- [http://zoomelaka.gov.my/mammal.html Mammals.] ] [List of birds -- [http://zoomelaka.gov.my/bird.html Birds.] ] [List of Reptiles -- [http://zoomelaka.gov.my/reptile.html Reptiles.] ]

Zoo Melaka is now a famous attraction in Melaka and are listed in many official tourism websites. [Melaka Zoo at Tourism Malaysia -- [http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/destinations/item.asp?item=zoo_melaka Melaka Zoo] ] Now, it is visited annually by 400,000 visitors; averaging 1093 visitors a day.Although, in 2007, the zoo was visited by 619,194 visitors with an average of 1619 visitors per day; the highest number since it was opened. In that year, the zoo collected as much as RM 3.99 million (USD 886,666); collecting a gain of RM 130,000. It also maintains a healthy, cool green background by planting exotic and rare plants while labeling them. This can potentially cool the zoo in very hot days and symbolically mimics the rainforest. It also has a tram facility to help its visitors get from one place to another with the ticket prices as low as RM 2.00. In addition to that, it also has eating facilities at an A&W restaurant and a caféteria near the watch tower at the Mini Safari.

Breeding plans

The zoo is planning some programmes to ensure the survival of some endangered species. Some of them are captive breeding.

Since the Malayan Tiger ("Panthera Tigris Malayenis") was found as a tiger sub-species, the zoo had raised over 40 tiger cubs and sent them to various types of places such as the United States. Two of them was Mek Degong and its mate Awang Relak; Malayan Tigers that were sent to San Diego Zoo in 2004. [Mek Degong's profile at San Diego Zoo homepage. [http://www.sandiegozoo.org/kids/animal_tiger_mek.html - Mek Degong] Retrieved on 10 August 2008] [Awang Relak's surgery [http://articles.latimes.com/2004/oct/09/local/me-tiger9 News Archive] ] Besides that, it is also been used as a captured animal sanctuary for a temporary time until it is sent locally or abroad.

Attractions

The Zoo Melaka has many creative attractions to attract visitors both abroad and local ones. Some of them includes:
* A Mini Safari [Zoo Melaka -- [http://zoomelaka.gov.my/exhibit.html Mini Safari] ]
* A Multi-Animal show [Zoo Melaka's Attraction -- [http://zoomelaka.gov.my/activities.html Attractions/Activities] ]
* An Elephant Show
* Elephant & Horse rides
* A Souvenir shop at the exit
* Night Zoo [Zoo Melaka -- [http://zoomelaka.gov.my/latest.html Night Zoo notification] ]

Location

The Zoo is strategically located in the town of Ayer Keroh besides the Lebuh Ayer Keroh at the entrance of Melaka; 13 Kilometres from Malacca Town. It neighbors with the Ayer Keroh Crocodile Farm, Melaka International Trade Center, Kolej Yayasan Saad, Melaka Manipal Medical College. From the highway, it has a noticeable gate in the Minangkabau design.

Gallery

See Also

* Zoo
* Malaysia
* Ayer Keroh
* Malacca
* Tourism in Malaysia
* San Diego Zoo
* Zoo Negara
* Zoo Taiping

References

External Links

* [http://zoomelaka.gov.my/index.html Official Website]
* [http://www.cuti.com.my/Sub/Melaka/ayerkeroh/ark_mzoo.htm Melaka Zoo's profile at Cuti.com]
* [http://www.wildlife.gov.my/webpagev4_en/bhg_ekozoomlk.html Melaka Zoo's profile at the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Malaysia]
* [http://www.melaka.net/zoomelaka/ Melaka Zoo at Melaka.net]
* [http://my.pagenation.com/mkz/Zoo%20Melaka_102.3018_2.2778.map Melaka Zoo on the map.]
* [http://www.amazingmelaka.com/2006/01/29/zoo-melaka/ Zoo Melaka's info at AmazingMelaka.com]
* [http://uk.holidaysguide.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-130446-malacca_zoo_malacca-i Melaka Zoo at Yahoo! Travel]