Zoo Negara Slideshow

As mentioned in the previous entries, our Zoo Negara is in a sorry state, and I felt that things could have been a lot better. Lack of funding should never be an excuse. For the entrance fee we cough up to get in, we should expect more. Some downsizing maybe?

The visit was blogged here and here.

Zoo Negara Part 2

From Part 1

Yes, there were plenty of constructions going on around there. But the operative word here is "around". There were plenty of housing projects going on white close to the Zoo compound. Ironically they were called Zoo View. At the rate they were going, there would hardly be any zoo left to view ......

The animals looked thin and unhealthy. The giraffe looked malnourished. Even the elephant looked gaunt. The sheds looked in need of repair. In fact the whole place needed a facelift. They need a new management. They don't need to look abroad. Even the Bird Park in town was in a better state. I was sure they could learn a thing or two from there.

The place was depressing. It seemed that the management lost focus of what their strengths were and trailed to capitalise on it. They should consider giving away most of their exhibits as clearly they were not able to look after them and concentrate on a few star attractions. They have a great number of flamingo there and the lions and tigers were a big hit with the children.

The amphibians and reptile exhibits were maintained very well, and it was great that my boys spotted it and spent some time there. The penguin house was also great fun, and clearly the animal show was organised quite well. Quite rightly the staffs pointed this out as a must see. Shame that space was limited and the weather was too hot. They should make more coverings as I was sure the place would be soaked through in heavy downpour.

The cafe was not bad, although rather run down. We didn't have to go to the toilet - Thank God. The drink machines were mostly broken, or did not accept paper money - more kiosk needed, run by actual staff. There should also invest in children guides with organised activities. This should be done by professional rangers. I seemed to be guided by buggy drivers as we were taken around by the tram. Even my children pointed out that there were hardly any information they could read about the displays. There wanted to learn more, but there was just nowhere for them to turn to. A missed opportunity here.

We left right after the animal show. The boys only caught some of it as there were just to big a crowd there to be comfortable. We left after having some ice-cream and looking at penguin house. They were too exhausted even to enter the children area. They wished that they had spent more time at the reptiles and amphibians exhibit. They wanted to see more snakes and camouflaging frogs.

Will we be recommending the visit to anyone? As much as we want to support Zoo Negara, we found that the management had missed the boast for far too long. Something needed to be done as very soon, nobody would miss it should it be moved. The location seemed to be prime land to be converted into residential zone, and soon that may be a serious consideration. This is a serious problem and should be addressed professionally, but it doesn't seemed to be a priority. Going to zoo Negara when I was a child used to be a treat. Now, it was just a sight for sore eyes ......... Shamefully mismanaged and soon would be run to the ground.

Zoo Negara Part 1

The last time we visited Zoo Negara was back in 2008. I think it was the end of that year since both my boys were in their matching red England jersey then. And we still had our old maid with us. We lived quite close by, and during weekends, the place was full most of the time, putting us off from going there.

So, when the boys asked us to head over there during the recent Thaipusam break, I got interested. At least, I would be able to wipe off the cobweb on my 7D which had hardly been used since I got the X100, and the the X-Pro 1. Zoo Negara it was.

For a public holiday, the place was relatively empty. We were still to find a parking spot at the main carpark despite turning up close to 2 pm. It was also a bright sunny day, a Sunday. We were prepared for a long day, queues and all. But we didn't have that.

There were a few reasons for that. The entrance fees had just been hiked up from RM 20 to 30 for locals. And then you had to pay for almost everything. A simple little paper maps would cost you RM 2 and a ride on the tram - which was previously free would require a ticket purchase. RM 2.50 I thought.

But all the price increase did nothing to improve the sorry state of the zoo. In fact, it had gone downhill since our last visit. Shameful really, as this was supposed to be one of the main tourist attraction for the foreigners. Those visitors would be astounded at how bad things were there, and as local, I wouldn't impose such a trip to any of my friends coming over from abroad. A far cry really from Singapore Zoo. Even Zoo Taiping was in a better shape. And they charged a pittance to get in.

Continued in Part 2.