After visited the Zoo Negara (literally means National Zoo) with a friend from Cairo recently, I looked back at the history on how the Zoo started and would like to share the information with those who wish to know its beginning, of the first zoos in the country, in case you haven’t had the opportunity to look out for it.Zoos are found in almost every country and a year after its independence in 1957, Malaya, too, needed a Zoo. Here is a brief history on how it started. During the annual exhibition of the Malayan Agri-Horticultural Association (MAHA), the organiser had included animals at the exhibition. Mr. V.M.Hutson, a Committee Member of MAHA was responsible for setting up a miniature zoo at the exhibition. There was no doubt that Malayans enjoyed the miniature zoo and through the local press, they voiced their opinion for a more permanent showcase of animals. Many of the animals that were exhibited at the MAHA exhibition were kept
temporarily at Mr Hutson’s 5-acre garden at the Bangsar Estate (now Damansara). His collections included the Indo-Chinese tiger named Nikky, three orang utans called Jacko (no, singer Michael Jackson wasn’t named after him), Suzan and Jane; together with six estuarine crocodiles and many others. Who would have thought that these animals would be the nucleus collection for Malaya’s National Zoo?
In September 1958, the Ministry of Natural Resources, a number of representatives of government departments, relevant societies and interested individuals along with Mr. V.M. Hutson met and held a preliminary discussion. A working party under the chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resources was set up to examine the proposal to establish a National Zoo for the Federation of Malaya and to recommend a detailed and practical development plan to the Minister of Natural Resources. Discussions and investigations were based on the assumption that the Government would be unable to support the project with a substantial sum of money; but it was hoped that it would assist and support the zoo in other ways, like the exemption of taxes and entertainment duties, and possibly with a small annual subsidy. Subsequently all these were granted by the State and Federal Governments. The working party eventually recommended that a Zoological Society should be set-up to finance and administer the zoo which, in its early stage, was to be a small area with animals in conventional cages. If enough capital were accrued from this and possible gifts, the Society would embark on a more ambitious scheme on a permanent site. The working party considered the expense of showing a small number of animals such as bears, deer, gibbons, monkeys and reptiles in a four-acre site and concluded that two installments of $50,000 would be sufficient as initial capital.The Malayan Zoological Society, with its primary objectives of founding and managing the
National Zoo was officially registered on 2 January 1962. The Deputy Minister of Rural Development was made the first President of the Malayan Zoological Society.Next question was, where would the zoo located? Templers Park was being examined and it was estimated that their development would require at $200,000. That was already twice the originally estimated cost. Areas in the Lake Gardens, Pantai and Templer Park had all been examined but all, for one reason or another had proved unsuitable.
At that time Major A.N. Weinman who was then the Director of the Dehiwala Zoo in Colombo was invited to visit Kuala Lumpur as he had offered his services in helping the infant zoo to its feet. He spent a month here during which he inspected both Templer Park and the present site at Ulu Klang and submitted a report to the Council recommending the Ulu Klang site. He also submitted the general layout plan of the proposed zoo and detailed his recommendations for staffing, development and a list of exhibits.
Zoo Negara was officially opened on November 14, 1963 and continue to be managed by the Malaysian Zoological Society. The Zoo is fully funded by its gate collection, besides relies on the support from donors and sponsors. Over the years, it has matured into a well-known zoo all around the world. Currently, it has a total of over 5,137 animals from 459 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. During my visit, I was informed that pandas will be added soon. Zoo Negara covers 110 acres of land which is situated about 15km from the city of Kuala Lumpur. Over the years, the zoo has transformed itself to an open concept zoo with over 90% of its animals kept in spacious exhibits with landscape befitting its nature. It opens daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm; and easily accessible by bus or car.
Jaina, thinks that generally, animals in this country are not treated the way they should have been due to perhaps, ignorance or lack of awareness amongst its people. Zoo is a good start if children or adults are unable to explore the real life nature adventure into our tropical rain forests. Also, she wishes that more companies and corporations will come forward to support by adopting those animals in the Zoo.
