MELAKA– Zoos have been allowed to reopen during the recovery movement control order (RMCO) which started yesterday with Zoo Melaka implementing a 500 visitor limit per session, with two sessions held daily from 8.30am - noon and 2pm - 5pm.
Zoo Melaka and Melaka Bird Park director, Zanariah Khamis, said: “Zoo Melaka is spread over about 50 acres (20ha), so each session is limited to 500 people with a two-hour rest period from noon - 2pm to allow for cleaning and disinfection procedures.
“When purchasing tickets, only the head of the family is allowed to queue, but the name and contact details of every family member must be logged at the counter. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) must also be followed.”
She said that throughout the RMCO, and in order to encourage people to visit Zoo Melaka, there will be a ‘durian runtuh’ deal on tickets with the price for adult admission at RM10, and for children, senior citizens and people with disabilities (OKU) at RM5.
Zanariah said to bring back the glory days to Malaysia’s second largest zoo, “all kinds of things have been planned including introducing a petting zone, photo sessions with the animals, free feed the animals sessions, weekend meet the mascot sessions and so much more”.
She said the Zoo Melaka Donation Fund which was started in April has so far collected RM94,000 and food donations worth RM250,000.
She said donations to the zoo can be deposited in the Zoo Melaka CIMB bank account 8009600869, under the name ‘Zoo MPHTJ’.
“Companies, government bodies and individuals are also welcome to help ensure the continuity of food supplies, veterinary care and management by adopting the animals,” Zanariah said
Zoo Melaka was started in 1963 as a conservation, research and education centre, and is home to about 650 animals representing 150 species from around the world.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster), Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, said the Special Ministerial Committee on the Movement Control Order (MCO) Implementation gave the nod for zoos to reopen its doors yesterday.
Source: BERNAMA