VISITING the zoo may not only be a unique opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
It also enables us to experience positive emotions, such as a sense of beauty, respect and wonder while observing animals.
Yet most of all, there is something undeniably soothing about being surrounded by nature when you are at the zoo, where it connects you with a range of animals and their habitats.
During my one week holiday in Kuala Lumpur recently, I visited Zoo Negara with my family.
Believe it or not, I have never been to a zoo before until I visited Zoo Negara, which eventually was a memorable first zoo experience for me, although I never planned to go there in the first place.
As we started to tour around the area near the main entrance, the primates’ exhibit captivated me most.
I made my first stop at the siamang enclosure. The siamang, the largest type of gibbon, are known for their black fur, long arms, large, expandable throat sacs that produce booming calls, and fused second and third toes.
From there, I proceeded to the next enclosure where the white handed gibbons are housed. White-handed gibbons are small tail-less apes with soft, thick fur.
Then, there were troops of bonnet macaques; some were seen playing with their infants, chasing each other, in front of the watching crowds.
A lion-tailed macaque and white handed gibbons were also found at the zoo.
As the visitors approached the enclosures, the playful primates approached and swung on the iron grills that separated us; some looked curious, seemingly eager to interact with visitors.
Their antics brought smiles to all the visitors. Their energy and agility were mesmerising.
I spent quite some time observing the behaviours of the different species, amazed by their intelligence and social interactions.
Of all the species that I saw, the bonnet macaques caught my attention most. I saw one happy family, perhaps the father and the mother playing with their children, full of care and love.
The primates were not all that Zoo Negara has, as it features a large collection of species of wildlife, including numerous Malaysian and exotic animals.
As I wandered through the zoo, admiring the diverse range of animals on display, I saw black and white ruffed lemur, ring tailed lemur, pony, raccoon, Nile hippopotamus, deer and white-belled sea eagle, among others.
Then we proceed to the aquarium. The fresh water aquarium at Zoo Negara mimics the river system in Malaysia, displaying the ecosystem at the habitats in the upper, middle and lower zones (estuaries) and the sea.
We also spent some time at the Amphitheatre to watch the animal show, which seemed to be the favourite gathering place for children.
There, the animals take the centre stage to entertain visitors with their fun nature and tricky skills.
To tour around the other parts of the zoo, we had to take a tram. During a tram ride, I marvelled at the graceful giraffes, the playful otters and the beautiful birds from fisher’s lovebird to the spectacular hornbills along the way.
Zoo Negara is indeed home to a variety of animals from Asia and beyond. It is a place to discover leopards, tigers, cheetahs, gaurs, porcupines, elephants and more.
At Zoo Negara, visitors can also get up-close with king cobras, estuarine crocodiles and many more.
While people may beg to differ, to me Zoo Negara is a perfect place to see animals because it provided me with opportunities for entertainment, education, and connecting with wildlife.
It also offers me an immersive experience with the live sights and sounds of animals as well as fosters a deeper appreciation for nature and the importance of wildlife conservation in me.
More than anything else is the animal action, which is nothing short of amazing.
Zoo Negara is indeed full of wildlife and fun activities. It felt like a wild adventure, and I had the best time exploring and learning about all the amazing animals!
On the day I went there, which was a public holiday, thousands of visitors, young and old, visited the zoo.
For Malaysians, the admission fee is RM48 per adult, RM21 per child, and RM26 per senior citizen while for foreigners the admission fee is RM53 per adult and RM28 per child who holds the I-Card/Working Permit/Dependent, and RM93 per adult and RM48 per child for others.
To sum it up, my trip to Zoo Negara was an absolute blast. As I walked further in, I was surrounded by the sounds of animals and the excitement of families exploring the area.
To truly see everything you might need four to five hours.
Given the Zoo Negara area is quite large, grab a map at the entrance to navigate the space efficiently.
Zoo Negara, the pride of Malaysia, is not just any zoo; it’s a vibrant sanctuary that showcases the country’s rich biodiversity and commitment to wildlife conservation.
This family-friendly destination is actually perfect for a day out filled with fun, education, and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Whether you’re a local or a traveller, Zoo Negara offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and experience the wonders of the animal kingdom.
Located in the serene area of Hulu Kelang, Zoo Negara is easily accessible from Kuala Lumpur, making it a perfect local attraction for families and tourists alike.
