Zoo Negara

Welcome to Zoo Negara

City: Kuala Lumpur
Country: Malaysia
Province: Federal Territory
Opend 14.11.1963

 

Species 476

 

The zoo covers an area of 45 ha and is divided in to 16 exhibits. Beside a  reptilhouse and an insecthouse, you meet a broad collection of  mammals and birds like the asian elephants, hippos, sun bears, malayan tapirs, malayan tigers, gaur and orangutans

Last visited 2023

Zoo Negara
Hulu Kelang
68000 Ampang
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Malaysia

Phone number 041083422/7/8
E-mail: customerservice@zoonegaramalaysia.my

 

Open  minimum 9 am - 5 pm


 

Entrance

• Adult  Malay 45,- MYR
• Child Malay 18,- MYR

• Adult Foreigner 88,- MYR
• Child Foreigner 43,- MYR

The Zoo has a playground

History

THE HUMBLE BEGINNING ~ MR V.M. HUTSON’S 5-ACRE GARDEN

Zoos are found in almost every country and a year after its independence in 1957, Malaya too needed a National Zoo. During the annual exhibition of the Malayan Agri-Horticultural Association (MAHA), the people of Malaya have shown great interest in caged animals on show at the exhibition. Mr. V.M. Hutson (later Tan Sri) Committee Member of MAHA, was responsible for the miniature zoo set-up at the exhibition. There was no doubt that Malayans enjoyed the miniature zoos and through the local press, they voiced their wish for a more permanent showcase of animals. Many of the animals that were exhibited at the annual MAHA exhibition were kept temporary at Mr. V.M. Hutson’s 5-acre garden at the Bangsar Estate (now Damansara). In the collection was an Indo-Chinese Tiger named Nikky, three Orang Utans called Jacko, Suzan and Jane together with six Estuarine Crocodiles and many others. Who would have thought that these animals would be the nucleus collection for Malaya’s National Zoo?

“BIRTH” OF NATIONAL ZOO ~ (ZOO NEGARA)

In September 1958, on the initiative of the Ministry of Natural Resources, a number of representatives of Government departments, relevant societies and interested individuals along with Mr. V.M. Hutson met and held preliminary discussions. A working party under the chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Natural Resources was set up to examine the proposal to establish a National Zoo for the Federation of Malaya and to recommend a detailed and practical development plan to the Minister of Natural Resources. The discussions and investigations were based on the assumption that the Government would be unable to support the project with a substantial sum of money; but it was hoped that it would assist and support the zoo in other ways; by the exemption of taxes and entertainment duties, for instance, and possibly with a small annual subvention. Subsequently all these were granted by the State and Federal Governments. The working party eventually recommended that a Zoological Society should be set-up to finance and administer the zoo which, in early stages, was to be a small area with animals in conventional cages. If enough capital accrued from this and possible gifts, the Society would embark on a more ambitious scheme on a permanent site with ‘Whipsnade’ type enclosures.

INITIAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

The working party carefully considered the expense of showing a small number of animals such as bears, deer, gibbons, monkeys and reptiles in a four-acre site and concluded that two installments of $50,000 would be sufficient as initial capital.

THE FIRST CHAIRMAN / FIRST PRESIDENT

Early in 1961, the recommendations resulting from these discussions were sent to the Minister for Rural Development, who was now the responsible Minister; and on 29 April 1961, a public meeting was held in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall to form the Malayan Zoological Society. At the meeting Mr. V.M. Hutson introduced the Deputy Minister of Rural Development Tuan Haji Abdul Khalid b. Awang Osman as the Chairman, and gave a brief resume of the events which led to the convening of the meeting. The Malayan Zoological Society with its primary objectives, the founding and management of the National Zoo was officially registered on 2 January 1962. The Deputy Minister of Rural Development was then the first President of the Malayan Zoological Society.

BIRTH OF THE MALAYAN ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

A second working party was elected at the inaugural meeting of the Society and during the next three months it worked hard to prepare for the first public meeting of the Society. The first Council was elected in this meeting and the Rules of the Society were adopted. So the Malayan Zoological Society was truly born but certainly not with a silver spoon in its mouth. At this time Major A.N. Weinman who was then the Director of the Dehiwala Zoo in Colombo was invited to visit Kuala Lumpur as he had offered his services in helping the infant zoo to its feet. He spent a month here during which he inspected both Templer Park and the present site at Ulu Klang and submitted a report to the Council recommending the Ulu Klang site. He also submitted the general layout plan of the proposed zoo and detailed his recommendations for staffing, development and a list of exhibits.

FULL SUPPORT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The Society now had the full support of the Federal Government with great assistance from our first Prime Minister Y.T.M. Tunku Abdul Rahman who visited and approved the Ulu Klang site. The site was a small kampong (village) with only about a dozen of wooden houses. The country surrounding was all jungle and rubber estates. Negotiations with the Selangor State Government started immediately to acquire the selected 42 acres with further 100 acre embarked for future expansion. But we were getting ahead of the finances! Where did all the money come from to construct these fine buildings? The project had grown far from the original humble concept of a 4 acre $50,000 zoo of the early days. Thankfully with the interest and enthusiasm of the members of the Government and the increased in wealth of the country made possible a grant from the Federal funds of RM 1.25 million over a period of three years to be spend on capital development.

Soon the perimeter fencing was erected and contracts awarded for the construction of the carnivore and monkey houses, deer enclosures and many other buildings. The railway strike cause delays as vital materials were diverted to other places, but by July 1963 the majority of the buildings was structurally completed and only required the finishing touches. Now you can see the animals happily installed in their new houses which have been designed to please the eye and show off the animals as naturally as possible. New buildings will continue to appear and improvements will be made for many years to come as the zoo should never remain static and growth and expansion are themes which ensure varied interests over the years.

OFFICIALLY OPENED ON 14TH NOVEMBER, 1963

The National Zoological Park was officially opened by Y.T.M. Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj on 14 November 1963. One year ahead of the Tunku’s plan to declare the Federation of Malaya as Malaysia portraying its many races, culture and ethnicity. The entrance rate at that time was 50 cents for 4 adult and 20 cents for children. The zoo was operating on 6 days a week and was closed on Monday for maintenance.

AKUARIUM NEGARA

On 14 November 1972, the second Prime Minister of Malaysia Y.A.B. Tun Haji Abdul Razak inaugurated Aquarium Negara at a colourful ceremony accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Hajjah Rahah, Cabinet Ministers and many others. Our Society President and Education Minister, Y.B. Encik Khir Johari announced that the Prime Minister has also accepted the invitation to be the Patron of our Society.

APE CENTRE

In year 1993, the zoo presented its largest display – the Ape Centre. It was officially open on 23 May by the Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism, Y.B. Dato’ Sabbaruddin Chik. The Orang Utan being the mascot of ‘Visit Malaysia Year’, it is only fitting that we play a part in breeding this endangered species. The new centre consisting of separate sections for the orang utan and chimpanzees, provides them with a more acceptable surrounding albeit in the form of a man mad concrete jungle. This occasion was followed by a personal visit by our Patron-In-Chief H.R.H The Sultan of Selangor. The year saw a slight reduction in the numbers of visitors but a visit to the zoo is still considered good value for money by most people. In 1994, the zoo finally opened its much awaited Mixed African Exhibit. A variety of African animals such as the zebra, giraffes, antelopes and white rhinoceroses were in plain view. Besides the progress on development, the zoo has achieved many notable animal births throughout the years. Our flamingos are laying eggs for the first time since they took residence here. The first clutch of eggs is a good sign that the birds have established and adjusted themselves.GARA On 14 November 1972, the second Prime Minister of Malaysia Y.A.B. Tun Haji Abdul Razak inaugurated Aquarium Negara at a colourful ceremony accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Hajjah Rahah, Cabinet Ministers and many others. Our Society President and Education Minister, Y.B. Encik Khir Johari announced that the Prime Minister has also accepted the invitation to be the Patron of our Society.

GIANT PANDA CONSERVATION CENTRE 

In 2014, a male and female giant panda pair named Xing Xing and Liang Liang went on public display at an air-conditioned, purpose-built Giant Panda Conservation Centre. The pandas are on a 10-year loan to Malaysia.