Zoo Melaka

January 29th, 2006

There’s no better way to learn about zoology and animal’s life than physically visit the zoo. Spend a day with your family of friends at Zoo Melaka, the second largest zoo in Malaysia, and you will surely find yourself equip with better knowledge on the amazing natural wildlife.

Zoo Melaka was established in 1963 and originally under the Melaka State Government but its management was taken over by The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) in 1979. Encompassing an area of 21.2-acres, Zoo Melaka is now the habitat for over 1200 specimens made up of 215 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

Zoo Melaka is featuring a number of critically endangered species which are extensively protected to preserve its existence, such as the Sumatran Rhinoceros, Malayan Gaur, and Malayan Sun Bear. Due to poaching fueled by ivory sales, the Sumatran Rhinoceros once wide-spread in Southeast Asia have only survived by a mere 300 specimens today. On the other hand, Malayan Gaur is the only remaining wild cattle species in Malaysia.

Malayan Tiger, the world’s latest tiger sub-species discovered, is one of the main attractions in Zoo Melaka. The Malayan Tiger was classified as the ninth tiger sub-species, as a result of evidential distinctive findings proven from DNA test of more than 130 tigers and tiger pelts.

Other notable attractions include the Malayan Honey Bear, Sambar Deer, Lion, Orang Utan, Serow, Zebra, White Rhino, Gemsbok, and Miniature Horse. If you are bringing your children, they will most likely being excited with the opportunity to ride on the horse and even the elephant. Please note that, the elephant and horse riding is only available on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, from 10 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm.

The best time to visit zoo is in the morning, when the animals are still actively moving around its habitat waiting for feeding time. Once they have taken their meals, I bet you might be disappointed with their slumbering mood, especially in the afternoon.

In the zoo, please don’t attempt to feed the animals with foods you have brought on your own, unless it was given by the zoo keepers. Each animal in the zoo are fed with specially designed diet to give them the best balanced nutrition. Giving wrong food to the animal might bring more harm than good. For example, even though the herbivores are fed with plants and grasses, but it is not simply any green plant; each of the herbivore might prefer a specific type of grass.

If you are visiting Zoo Melaka, you might consider planning a 1-day-zoology-trip at Ayer Keroh, by stopping over the Crocodile and Reptile Park, as well as Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary.

Zoo Melaka Visiting Hours

9.00 am – 6.00 pm daily

Night Zoo

Besides, the Zoo Melaka is also opening its gate for the night zoo, to highlight the nocturnal animal behaviors. The night zoo of Zoo Melaka is operating on every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and eve to public holidays, from 8.00 pm to 11.30 pm.

Getting There

The Zoo Melaka is located at Ayer Keroh, less than 5 minutes drive from the toll. Once passing off the Ayer Keroh toll of North South Expressway, heading straight upward, and you shall find the Zoo Melaka on your left, situated at the opposite side of Crocodile and Reptile Park. Click here for Ayer Keroh map

GPS Coordinate: N2.27777 E102.30179

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Entry Filed under: Animal Kingdom

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