KUALA LUMPUR: After months of closure due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, Zoo Negara will finally be reopened to visitors tomorrow.
The zoo management said it had been preparing for the reopening since the announcement that the Klang Valley would, on Sept 10, move to Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Zoo Negara deputy president Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana said they were eagerly anticipating visitors after months of uncertainty.
The zoo, he said, also had special offers for its reopening.
"Visitors on Friday will enjoy a 20 per cent discount on ticket prices, ranging from RM18 (Malaysian children under 12), RM23 (Malaysian senior citizens), RM45 (Malaysian adults) to RM88 for foreigners," he said.
He said the first 500 visitors would also be given unlimited access to the zoo from January to March next year, except on weekends and public holidays.
Rosly said visitors to the zoo were in for a treat with the new additions, the highlight of which is the new giant panda cub born in May this year.
This, he said, was the third panda cub to be born in the country and would be available for viewing from a special enclosure at the giant panda exhibit.
"With the addition of the latest cub, we now have four giant pandas in the exhibit."
Rosly said apart from the giant pandas, the zoo had added 26 new exhibits, which included a new Tapir calf, a Reptile House and four Ring-Tailed Lemurs which it had received from Singapore.
The Reptile House, he said, featured an array of reptiles from all over the world.
"We also have a very rare King Cheetah, one of just 32 in the world, and born right here in our zoo back in 2018."
Meanwhile, Rosly said the zoo management and staff were relieved at finally being able to reopen.
"The zoo depends on ticket sales for income, which goes not only towards care of the animals, but also staff salary. During the months of closure, we were only able to survive thanks to savings put aside, as well as donations, for which we are very grateful."
Rosly said in anticipation of the reopening, the zoo had prepared stringent safety measures for visitors, in line with the standard operating procedures to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection.
Visitors, he said, would be allowed in through groups to avoid overcrowding. Face masks, he added, were mandatory.
"Hand sanitisers have also been installed in many areas of the zoo for easy access while there are also clear demarcations of entry, exits and walking paths as well as reminders to maintain physical distancing at all times."