KUALA LUMPUR: Hundreds made way to the Zoo Negara during its first day of operations today, after shuttering doors for more than two months due to the increase in Covid-19 cases in the Klang Valley.
Visitors, whom mostly were families were seen entering the national zoo as early as 11am, despite the gloomy weather in Ampang.
Among them was Zaino Mishak Mohd Saad, 39, who said he was driving his family passing by the Zoo Negara when they realised that it was open for business; they immediately decided to spend their afternoon there.
The family was on a trip from Kampung Ayer Molek, Melaka. Zaino Mishak said he spent more than RM200 for the tickets.
"This is nice because it is my children's first visit to the zoo. We were among the first to do so today (Dec 18).
"I was just bringing them around in the car after my (business) meeting earlier today. Then we decided to just show the kids the zoo and saw the parking was
opened. We then decided to spend our afternoon here."
Animal activist Lye Kwan who found out about the opening of the zoo from her friends was curious to see the animals' condition.
"I have read news reports on the death of Melur, one of the three tiger cubs and that the zoo is having trouble with the upkeeping since it had to close down (due to the spikes in Covid-19 cases in Klang Valley).
"Since I am off (from work) today, I would like to spend the time here and see their condition," she said.
Meanwhile, Zoo Negara supervisor for the mammals, carnivore and elephant sanctuary Jamsari Mohamad said the zookeepers were ready to welcome visitors.
Jamsari said the zookeepers at his section had been working as usual throughout the MCO and had prepared the animals following the reopening of the zoo.
"We have been cleaning the animals, checking their health and preparing meals for them, among others."
Zoo Negara deputy president Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana said the national zoo would be limited to 1,250 visitors at a time following its implementation of physical distancing measures.
The zoo is open from 9am to 5pm daily and visitors will be able to purchase tickets online or over the counter.
Rosly said to address overcrowding, a queuing system would in place to organise the flow of visitors.
"It (queuing system) will be the same for both online and over the counter sales, as we will issue them a queue number if the zoo is at full capacity," he said.
Rosly was positive that more visitors would be coming in this month following its reopening.
"Previously in December last year, almost 5,000 visitors came daily. But now we have to comply with the Standard Operating Procedures."
Earlier, Habib Group executive director Datin Seri Zarida Noordin launched six limited edition gold wafers as part of a charity drive to support to Zoo
Negara, in which every RM5 would be donated to the zoo.
The animal-themed gold wafer collection comes in six different designs featuring Zoo Negara's iconic animals like the mousedeers, giant pandas, Malayan tigers, hornbills, elephants and orangutans.
The wafers are priced at RM118 each and available at all Habib outlets. The Zoo Negara is home to 5,137 animals.