pix by Edmund Samunting
KOTA KINABALU: The animals in Lok Kawi Wildlife Park have not been mistreated as certain viral social media posts have claimed.
Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) in refuting claims of some Facebook users that the animals are ‘living in hell,’ explained that the posts were blatant embellishments, and misleading the public.
Department director Augustine Tuuga assured that the animals in the park are always fed accordingly and works to upgrade the living spaces is continually ongoing.
“The Park receives RM4.5 million annually for the animals’ food, medication and vitamins supplies, which we believe is sufficient.
“The condition of the park in the Facebook postings was therefore an exaggeration,” he told reporters after a media visit to the wildlife park here, located some 45 minutes from the city centre.
Following a couple Facebook post, criticizing the condition of the park that went viral, SWD also came under attacks by netizens, for the alleged “sorry state of affairs” of the park.
One social media user even demanded that “every single person in charge of running the park” to be “sacked” and charged for “animal abuse.”
However, these allegations could not be further from the truth, SWD veterinary officer Dr Symphorosa Sipangkui.
Symphorosa who is the officer in charge of the wildlife park, explained that the animals are not only well taken care of, but are also fed a variety of meals to ensure they have a balanced diet.
“For example, we give the elephants; cabbages, sengkuang (turnip) and banana stems alternately as their daily staples.
“Some people complained that the Malayan tiger (in the park) is too skinny, but I would like to clarify that we wanted to keep it on balanced diet.
“Being on a meat only diet will cause crystallisation of the tiger’s urine. Being overweight will cause greater problems as they grow older, as well as difficulty in mobility,” she explained.
Symphorosa added that as a rehabilitation centre, 80 percent of the animals at the park were rescued.
Some animals which had been domesticated for years by previous owners faced numerous environmental stresses and serious medical issues, upon arrival at the park. And due to that, some did not survive, despite their best effort.
It is also unfair for public to compare Lok Kawi Wildlife Park to other older established zoos, as they have only been in operation for a decade, according to Symphorosa.
“We are still young and the public should give us time … We are only 10 years old in comparison with Zoo Negara and Zoo Taiping for example, which have been around longer,” she said.
The park generates about RM1.5 million yearly revenue from the entrance fees collection, which according Symphorosa goes to the state’s coffers. It is up to the state government discretion on how it is being distributed.
In the future though, SWD director Augustine said that they would like to see the park moved elsewhere due to current limited space but it is subject to availability of funding and approvals by various stakeholders.
“We would like to move to Sugud area in Penampang, where there is a vast community forest which is a firewood reserve, but it is still in the discussion stage with the district officer and community members there. We need approval from authorities involved as well.
“If this does not work out and no chance of moving elsewhere, we will maintain operations from here and improve our facilities from time to time based on funding,” he added.