KUALA LUMPUR: The government will come up with a new formula to ensure Zoo Negara, its other counterparts nationwide and permanent wildlife exhibition centres can continue to operate.
Energy and Natural Resources minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah told the Dewan Rakyat today that this was to ensure these premises can run continuously amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Discussions are on-going to ensure a new model can be introduced to the zoos and the centres," he said without elaborating while winding up the Supply Bill 2021 for the ministry at the committee stage.
Shamsul added that the ministry will meet with the Zoo Negara management tomorrow to look into its problems.
"This is so we can appropriately resolve the issues they are facing and address the concerns raised by the people," he said.
Shamsul added the second giant panda cub born in Malaysia named Yi Yi, who turned two on Jan 4 this year, was supposed to be sent back to China in April.
"However, it had to be postponed as the conservatory in China is still closed due to the pandemic.
"The ministry will facilitate the process of sending Yi Yi back to China the soonest possible as per the Malaysia-China Giant Panda International Conservation Agreement that was signed between both countries.
"We had (earlier) initiated the process but it had to be delayed because of the pandemic," he added.