Imagine the scene of colourful fluttering wings flitting around you, within the distance or an arm, isn’t it a breathtaking atmosphere? Look no further, the Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary (also known as Butterfly Farm) of Melaka is the place where this statement is describing. The Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary is reputed to be the largest netted butterfly park and insect garden in the world.
The farm houses more than 200 local butterfly species including rare ones like Raja Brooke Birdwing species. The Raja Brooke Birdwing is a distinctive black and electric-green birdwing butterfly from rainforests in Borneo, and recognized as the most striking of all butterflies in Sarawak. This butterfly is protected by law because they are threatened by the wildlife trade.
As opposing to animals caged in the zoo, butterflies here are freely flitting everywhere in the enchantingly landscaped farm. Some of the butterflies might even be coming into you and making a pause of their flits at your arm. At anytime, the number of butterflies surrounding you is surely more than what you have seen in your garden.
As the name suggests, this farm is not only about butterflies, but reptiles and insects as well. The sanctuary houses a wide variety of exotic snakes (such as the giant Burmese Phyton and the King Cobra), huge spiders, scorpions, and other skin-crawling six-legged or eight-legged insects which are not commonly found in our city jungles.
If you are visiting Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary, you might consider planning a 1-day-zoology-trip at Ayer Keroh, by stopping over the Zoo Melaka, as well as Crocodile and Reptile Park.
Getting There
The Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary Melaka is located at Ayer Keroh, less than 1 minute drive from the toll. Once passing off the Ayer Keroh toll of North South Expressway, take note of butterfly-shaped sign boards, and you shall find the butterfly farm on your left. You will reach the butterfly farm before Zoo Melaka. Click here for Ayer Keroh map
GPS Coordinate: N2.29571 E102.31416
January 30th, 2006
The Crocodile and Reptile Park Melaka (also known as Crocodile Farm Ayer Keroh) is another interesting animal kingdom in Melaka, situated directly opposite the Zoo Melaka. While Zoo Melaka is featuring various wildlife species, the Crocodile and Reptile Park is focusing its captive breeding and conservation on the fearsome ancient giant reptile – crocodile.
The Crocodile and Reptile Park Melaka established in 1987 is sprawling an area of 3.2 hectare, to house more than 200 crocodiles of various species from all over the world including the Siamese, African Dwarf, Indian Marsh/Mugger, Humpback, Albino, Tailless and many more. Some of the crocodiles hunted at other places within Malaysia are also brought into this farm.
The farm is specially landscaped to recreate the crocodiles’ natural environment. The log-like predator tends to congregate in slow-moving rivers and lakes, and feed on a wide variety of living and dead mammals and fish. Despite the fact that crocodile is extremely dangerous to humans, you could have an educational day at Crocodile and Reptile Park with your children without the painful risk. Exciting performances by the trained keepers and their crocodiles are held every Saturday.
If you are visiting Crocodile and Reptile Park, you might consider planning a 1-day-zoology-trip at Ayer Keroh, by stopping over the Zoo Melaka, as well as Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary.
Getting There
The Crocodile and Reptile Park 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 right, situated at the opposite side of Zoo Melaka. Click here for Ayer Keroh map
GPS Coordinate: N2.27710 E102.29788
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
January 29th, 2006
