Latest news with #WildlifeandNationalParksDepartment
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Johor Zoo beats the heat with blood ice cubes and fruit popsicles
JOHOR BAHRU - With the scorching heatwave, Johor Zoo has intensified health checks and implemented measures to protect the animals, which includes creative feeding, says a state executive councillor. Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Jafni Shukor said the zoo focused on ensuring water sources are clean and sufficient, including for animals that rely on water to cool off, such as the Malayan tapir, tiger, hippopotamus and crocodile. 'Zookeepers are constantly monitoring and refilling pools to ensure the animals have access to sufficient water. It is a crucial step in helping wildlife regulate their body temperature during the extreme weather,' he said when contacted. The Bukit Permai assemblyman also said Johor Zoo has introduced creative feeding enrichments to help animals adapt to the hot conditions. He said carnivores are being provided with blood ice cubes while fruit eating species enjoy fruit popsicles made by the zookeepers. 'These treats help the animals at the zoo stay cool while keeping them mentally stimulated in their enclosures,' Mr Jafni said. He noted that health monitoring has been intensified with veterinarians and zoologists conducting regular checks on the animals to ensure their well-being. He said this is made with the support of the Johor Veterinary Department and the state Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan). 'Zookeepers are the frontliners in ensuring the animals' welfare. With the support of veterinary experts and relevant agencies, we are doing everything necessary to maintain the highest standards of care,' he said. Separately, Mr Jafni said that he recently carried out a working visit to Johor Zoo to inspect the ongoing second phase development plan for the 97-year-old zoo, which began earlier in May. He said the upgrades were part of a broader vision to position the zoo as a flagship tourism destination ahead of Visit Johor 2026. 'My visit was to ensure that all planning is on track to transform Johor Zoo into a major tourism hub for the state. 'With a total allocation of RM7 million (S$2.1 million), the second phase focuses on internal improvements. This includes upgrading animal enclosures, disability and stroller friendly pathways, as well as the development of a new night zoo, designed to offer a more interactive and engaging experience for visitors,' he said. Mr Jafni added that since its reopening on Aug 31, 2024, Johor Zoo has seen a remarkable increase in public interest. He said annual visitor numbers, which previously averaged around 400,000, have surged to an estimated one million over the past year. He said the jump in visitor numbers was something to be proud of, adding that it can help increase Johor Zoo's revenue from RM1.5 million to RM7 million annually. 'This is an extraordinary achievement, driven by visitor- friendly initiatives and infrastructure upgrades. As Malaysia's oldest zoo located in the heart of Johor Bahru, this transformation honours not only the zoo's legacy, but also the city's heritage. 'Enhanced facilities such as e-ticketing, shuttle bus services and more attractive zoning designs have contributed to its rising popularity, not only among locals but also international visitors, particularly from neighbouring Singapore,' he said. Mr Jafni added the state government is committed to positioning Johor Zoo as a must-visit attraction during Visit Johor 2026. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Orang Asli in Pos Simpor doing 'night shifts' to guard against wild elephant
GUA MUSANG: Orang Asli residents in Kampung Ceranok, Pos Simpor, have been taking night shifts to guard their homes from a wild elephant that has been roaming the area over the past two weeks. Villagers claim, since the middle of the month, a male elephant has begun roaming closer to their homes. Community representative Winson Bah Kuasan, 35, said residents have been taking shifts to monitor the elephant's presence and prevent further damage to crops caused by the animal. "Two nights ago, five of us stayed up to track the elephant and drive it away before it could destroy more crops," he said. Winson said they were worried the animal could become aggressive and had already lodged a report with the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa). He said villagers were hoping for a long-term solution from the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) to resolve the ongoing problem. Another villager, Sarina Hasan, 40, said the elephant would typically enter their settlement between 6pm and midnight. "We remain indoors and can hardly sleep at night out of fear it might turn aggressive and damage our homes," she said. Sarina said elephant disturbances had been happening since last year but had become worse, with the animal now venturing right up to their doorsteps at times. "We live in constant fear. Apart from worrying about our safety, we're also anxious about our future since we rely entirely on our crops for food," she said. Meanwhile, Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani urged villagers to remain vigilant and not provoke the elephant. He said his office had provided rice aid to support those affected. "I hope a solution can be found soon, as this involves both the safety and food security of the Orang Asli community in the interior," he said.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Terengganu to plant Napier grass as food for wild elephants to reduce conflicts
KUALA TERENGGANU: The cultivation of Napier grass as an alternative food source for wild elephants is among the initiatives proposed by the Terengganu government to address wildlife conflicts in the state. In addition to planting the grass, the state government is also proposing the installation of an electric fence system, the establishment of volunteer ranger teams and the implementation of lighting systems. State Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee chairman Datuk Razali Idris said all logging areas, especially along elephant routes, would be planted with Napier grass once the tree-felling activities were completed. He said the state government, in collaboration with the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), would identify and prepare designated roaming areas for wild elephants before planting the Napier grass there. "So far, the government has spent RM3.5 million to install approximately 89.5km of electric fence to prevent conflicts with these animals. "We will also set up two more volunteer ranger teams in the districts of Kemaman and Setiu as an early preventive measure against wild elephant intrusions," he said. Razali, who is Kijal assemblyman, was commenting on the issue of wild elephant conflicts in the state. Terengganu has been identified among the five states facing disturbances from wild elephants. He said the Basung Ranger team, comprising 60 per cent local residents and other personnel from the police, the Hulu Terengganu district office and Perhilitan, had been effective in addressing the issue of wild elephant encroachments since its formation in January. He added that the state government also planned to increase lighting systems in all areas identified as elephant hotspots to deter the animals from entering and destroying crops. "We will install solar-powered lights in areas where elephant intrusions frequently occur," he said. Regarding compensation for crop damage caused by wild elephants, Razali said the state government, through the Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Food Security and Commodities Committee, had established a state disaster fund of RM2 million annually to support the agricultural sector, which frequently faced natural disasters and livestock diseases, as well as other unexpected calamities.
The Star
25-05-2025
- The Star
Probe ‘cruel and senseless' act of spray painting trapped monkey
PETALING JAYA: An animal welfare group has called for an immediate investigation into a viral video showing a monkey being sprayed with paint while trapped in a cage in Desa Moccis, Sungai Buloh. The Malaysian Stray Animal Federation (SAFM) described the act as inhumane and a violation of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716), urging the authorities to take swift legal action. 'This is a serious offence under Section 86 of the Act, which carries a fine of between RM5,000 and RM50,000, or imprisonment of up to one year, or both,' it said in a statement yesterday. The video, which surfaced online recently, shows a man spraying the monkey's entire body with blue paint while the animal is confined in a metal cage. The footage triggered public outrage, with many social media users condemning the act as cruel and senseless. SAFM called on any witnesses to lodge police reports and alert the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) to ensure the perpetrator is held accountable. 'There is no room for cruelty against wildlife in this country. We will continue to monitor this case closely and demand that justice is served,' it added.
The Star
24-05-2025
- The Star
Perhilitan nabs man who sprayed paint on monkey in viral video
KUALA LUMPUR: The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has detained a man after a video allegedly showing him spraying paint on a caged monkey went viral online. Sungai Buloh OCPD Supt Mohd Hafiz Muhammad Nor said a report was lodged at 2.10am on Saturday (May 24) by a veterinary officer from the Petaling district concerning the viral video. "The complainant had viewed a five-second video that went viral on Facebook, showing a man spraying paint on a monkey in a cage. The incident is believed to have taken place at Taman Desa Moccis, U17, Shah Alam. "Following preliminary investigations, the Sungai Buloh police headquarters classified the case as one to be referred to other agencies, namely the Veterinary Services Department and Perhilitan," he said in a statement Saturday (May 24). He added that Perhilitan had also lodged a report regarding the arrest of the man under Section 86 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716). Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the nearest police station or reach out to Sjn Mejar Azmir Azriezal Ramli at 019-566 5870. – Bernama
