ASIAN ANIMAL
PROTECTION NETWORK
Malaysian Zoo Report
For Photos click here.
SAHABAT ALAM MALAYSIA (Friends of the Earth, Malaysia)
MEMORANDUM ON “ZOOS: NEED FOR IMPROVEMENTS”
Summary
It has come to our notice by way of three nationwide surveys staggered over a period of six years that permanent facilities established by the state or by private bodies to confine wild animals in captivity, also known as zoos, are in a deplorable state. Established for entertainment purposes, many of the zoos in Malaysia are not fulfilling the real functions of a zoo, which is to breed endangered species, to conduct benign research into wild animal behaviour and biology, and to educate the public on the various concerns of conservation.
Introduction
There are close to 20 animal viewing facilities in Malaysia which can be called zoos, all being permanent facilities established by State or municipal and private enterprises. They include fun park attractions, mini-zoos, aviaries, snake parks, deer parks, crocodile farms, reptile park and butterfly farms.
These may be large or small and vary considerably in presentation and quality. The majority of them are sub-standard and can hardly provide the real functions of a zoo.
Our Findings.
In conducting our surveys of the state of Malaysian zoos, we took into account the factors such as the design of the surroundings, public amusement facilities, vandalism, the inhumane treatment of the animals held captive, and the lack of professional veterinary staff. Refer to Appendix 1 for a more detailed account of some of the zoos included in the survey.
Bad Designs in Accommodation and Absence of Animal Welfare Needs.
a) Many of the facilities or zoos are situated in natural surroundings with cages or enclosures for the wild animals. However, some of the smaller zoos house the captive animals in cages of metal mesh on concrete base. In most cases, the cages were designed and built by the Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) without taking into consideration the comfort of the animals. These cages had no exposure to sunlight, lack space for comfortable movement, proper drainage, adequate security railing, climbing or exercise facilities, and enough floor or resting space.
b) Most of the enclosures that place bears, lions, tigers and as such are designed and built to ensure the safety of the visitors, but neglect the safety of the animals. Most are surrounded by restraining rails with spikes welded into the inner edge, creating a dungeon-like atmosphere that threaten the lives of the animals. Water barriers can also be hazardous to the animals in the enclosure if engineered without safety features; animals have been known to drown in the moats.
In all the smaller facilities, the animals were subject to solitary confinement in sterile cells because the zoo managers claimed that the animals were unaware that they needed conditions very similar to their natural habitats. Therefore, the animals could be conditioned into living in such cramped and sterile confinements.
c) Bird parks, aviaries and mini zoos often provide bird enclosures that not only inhibit the freedom of the birds to the point of death-inducing boredom, but also encourages inter-species attacking. Different species are placed in the same enclosures, which are usually barren wire mesh cages with solitary perches. The absence of sand-baths, swinging perches, flying space or other diversions drive the birds into feather-plucking boredom. Many have been observed to be completely bald or in the process of balding. The enclosures are also lacking in hiding niches that enable the stronger birds to attack and kill the weaker ones out of want for activity.
These bird enclosures were built without considering the bird’s natural free flying instinct. The birds are often chained, some have their wings clipped, while others suffer from broken and damaged plumage when its attempts to fly are severed by cramped space.
d) Some of the enclosures were built without consideration to its placement under the hot midday sun. As a result nocturnal birds and reptiles are exposed to heat and bright sunlight causing enormous amount of stress and discomfort. The glass entrapments which house the reptiles were found to have inadequate ventilation, as the glass covered frontal views reduce airflow and causes heat build up.
Petting Zoos
The animals kept in zoos and other animal facilities are also subject to numerous amusement roles to entertain human visitors, without consideration for the consequences of such exposures to the animals.
A general feature in most zoos is the petting zoo, where visitors are given the opportunity to photograph and pet the animals chained or leashed to tables or perches. Although zoo managers claim that this feature is necessary to dispel any fear the public may have for the wild animals, it is imperative that the effect of such attention be analysed. For instance, human handling of reptiles should be minimised so, as it could result in their refusal to eat and possible death. This means that the coiling of snakes around the human body and the petting of baby reptiles have to be reconsidered.
Hand-Outs and Vandalism
What was also common in all the facilities visited were food kiosks and gift shops for the convenience of the visitors. While this might be acceptable, what is not is that the selling of tidbits encouraged the visitors to feed the animals, despite warning signboards and the presence of animal keepers. In addition, the animals were seen swallowing the plastic wrappers and plastic bags discarded by the visitors.
Outrageously, public amusement is now the priority over the health of the animals. At a deer park, visitors were encouraged to feed the animals with the bread sold by the park authorities. Apparently, higher sales were encouraged without considering the detrimental effects of overfeeding the animals.
Vandalism and animal cruelty is a normal feature in zoos and animal parks. Apparently zoos keep few records of vandalism, accept it as routine, and are reluctant to provide reliable data.
There have been incidences where animals have died or been injured because of the cruelty of zoo visitors who throw stones, empty cans and cartons at the animals, offer primates lighted cigarette butts, and hit at the animals with umbrellas and other handy weapons.
There have also been numerous reports and complaints made to the local media by concerned visitors about the cruel treatment and neglect of the animals in the zoos by the keepers themselves.
Elephants in many zoos were reportedly beaten and chained, and were terrified of their abusive keepers.
In most cases zoo animals were fed the same monotonous diet the whole year through. At times, the food remained untouched on the cage floor.
Zoo deaths are also caused by accidents, poor husbandry, infection and diseases. To make things worse, most zoos owned by private individuals and councils do not have a resident veterinarian. Many of these rely on veterinarians from the Veterinary Department, who, although qualified, are inexperienced in treating wild animals. After all, zoology medicine is a highly specialised field of veterinary medicine where approach and medication are specific.
In one case, the director of a bird park, a medical doctor, tends to minor ailments and only severe cases are referred to a veterinarian.
Most zoos operate on a commercial basis by adopting commercial marketing strategies because they are faced with the task of having to find the bulk of their financial needs from entrance fees, refreshment stalls and gift shops. Eventually, maintaining these sources of revenues becomes more important than the maintenance of zoos as animal sanctuaries and conservatories.
Refer to Appendix 2 for news reports and letters to the press regarding the atrocious conditions of some Malaysian zoos.
Conclusion
Taking into consideration the above, it is obvious that there is no expert planning and management of zoos and animals parks in Malaysia. In fact, sub-standard and even worse conditions abound in nearly all these facilities.
What is even more disconcerting is the lack of an overall national and law relating to the management and establishment of zoos and other places where animals are kept in captivity. The only laws that are related appear to be the Protection of Wildlife Act ’72 (requiring permits to keep wild animals) and the Local Government Act 76 (that relates to the establishment of businesses).
This is highly inadequate and deficient in dealing with the need for proper management, use and animal welfare in zoos and all other places where animals are kept in captivity.
Obviously, there is also a lack of knowledgeable and competent personnel in the physical operation of nearly all the facilities. Zoo staff should comprise of individuals with a background in zoology or biology and should more importantly be people with compassion for wildlife.
The claims made by these zoos that they contribute to the conservation of diminishing wild animals are unfounded. The abominable conditions of the zoos and the high mortality rate of the animals are paradoxes against these claims. The surveys carried out by SAM have shown that the existence of zoos and other places where animals are kept in captivity cannot be justified if they fail to respect the lives they claim to protect.
Recommendations
There is definitely a need to phase out zoos and other places where animals are kept in captivity. For the present existing establishments, steps must be taken to improve and protect zoo animals from human ignorance and neglect through the enforcement of stricter operating regulations.
The following are some recommendations that are necessary to bring about positive changes.
a) All zoos, aviaries and bird parks, reptile and snake parks owned by both private individuals and the local authorities should be subjected to a mandatory special licensing system, which includes a license to operate, a license to breed the animals and compulsory training programs for all staff running such premises. A mere business license is insufficient for these purposes.
b) It is essential to maintain the highest consideration in designing the animal enclosures to ensure that they reflect the near natural conditions of the animal habitats. A high standard of sanitation and hygiene should maintained. A resident vet should be on the staff of each zoo and menagerie.
c) As part of the licensing process a competent authority should be assigned in each state to inspect the zoos and issue a provisional license for a period of 12 months. Failure to conform to the system and quality veterinary care would entail the withdrawal of the operating license.
d) A system of control to ensure protection of all wildlife in captivity should be introduced. This would entail registration of every animal to ensure accountability in transfer, sales, exchange and disposal of surplus stock. Zoos and other places where animals are kept in captivity with unduly high mortality through neglect or incompetence should be taken to task and there must be a prohibition on further acquisitions.
e) Legislation on zoos and other places where animals are kept in captivity must go beyond protecting just those animals kept in zoos. For instance, the import and export of endangered species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of wild fauna and flora could be supported by additional checks and controls on the illegal trade in CITES species. Any illegal trade in threatened species involving zoos and other places where animals are kept in captivity should be addressed under the proposed licensing act.
f) A Central Zoo Fund should be drawn up, with contributions from all operating zoos. In the event of serious financial difficulties leading to a temporary closure of zoos for a limited period, the operational and care costs can be taken care of, thus alleviating unnecessary suffering on the zoo animals.
g) A Central Authority for Zoos and animals in captivity should be established where any person or agency that intends to start a new zoo should submit their detailed proposal to the Central Authority through their state governments. This procedure would also apply to all existing zoos that plan to shift or expand.
h) Zoos and places where animals are kept in captivity, being educational facilities should strive to communicate the basic value of compassion for animals as fellow beings and to educate the public as to their role in preserving the ecosystem. All zoos should enforce rules and regulations for visitor conduct that would not cause stress or harm to the animals and the environment.
We hope that the recommendations set out in this document will receive due attention from all the relevant agencies.
Date and Month
of Publication - May 2001 - Utusan Konsumer
Zoos : To Protect or Abuse?
ONE sure thing can be said about the zoos in Malaysia - they do not fulfil
the real functions of a zoo. Zoos exist to breed endangered species, to
conduct benign research into the behaviour and biology of wild animals, and
to educate the public on the various concerns of conservation.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) conducted three surveys, staggered over 5
years, and concludes that the majority of Malaysian zoos, either state or
private owned, are sub-standard, in deplorable conditions and may actually
be abusing the animals they are supposed to protect.
There are about 20 zoos in Malaysia and SAM's survey clearly shows that
these are primarily animal viewing facilities, for entertainment purposes
only. There is minimal educating of the public and the regrettable truth is
that zoo-visitors learn almost nothing about these "living trophies" by
seeing them in featureless, bleak cages.
SAM finds that zoos in Malaysia seem to perpetuate suffering and
deprivation of freedom. These facilities are human-centred - not much
consideration has been given to the comfort and needs of the animal
inmates.
The claims made by these zoos that they contribute to the conservation of
diminishing wild animals are unfounded. The abominable conditions of the
zoos and the high mortality rate of the animals are paradoxes against these
claims.
And there is obviously a lacking in knowledgeable and compassionate zoo
personnel. In fact, SAM was informed that most zoos do not have a resident
veterinarian and rely on veterinarians from the Veterinary Department, who
may not have experience in treating wild animals. Zoology medicine is a
highly specialised field of veterinary medicine where approach and
medication are species-specific.
If zoos fail to respect the lives they claim to protect, their existence
cannot be justified.
These are the observations that were made at some of the zoos that were
included in the SAM survey.
Taman Jubli Bird Park, Sungai Petani, Kedah
There were no nameplates on the cages and enclosures. There were no sign of
the animals except for a decreased number of birds confined in miserably
small cages.
The pig-tailed macaques had been released into the hills of Gunung Jerai. A
solitary bird occupied the rusty enclosure that previously housed the
macaques. The enclosure was not fully sheltered and the bird-perch was a
five-inch metal rod welded to a central supporting pipe.
There was only one worker in sight when the survey was carried out as it
was Friday, which is the day off. He was quite reluctant to answer our
questions and seemed to be in a hurry to leave for his break.
When there was an increase in the number of rabbits in one overcrowded pen,
the office staff was allowed to take them home for their own consumption.
Bean sprouts and long beans for the rabbits were dumped into a filthy, dirt
covered container inside the pen.
Predator birds were fed fish and the unfinished parts were scattered all
around, attracting swarms of houseflies.
A pair of barn owls was in a tiny cage with one perch and no standing space
for the other bird. Flight in this confined space was impossible. There was
only enough space for the owl to hop from perch to cage floor, and vice
versa.
The owl exhibit was too open and the visitors who surrounded the caged
frightened the birds with their shouting and banging. One owl remained on
the mesh wire floor with an injured wing.
A Hawk Owl and a Hill Mynah shared the same enclosure on a rectangular
wooden perch.
Pigeons were confined in overcrowded enclosures, which were littered with
wastes and feathers.
Several cages were extremely filthy, strewn with decomposed food.
A number cages were now empty and the condition had not improved despite
pledges by the Kuala Muda District Council to improve the zoo following
public complaints in 1991.
Taman Burung Gua Musang, Kelantan
This bird park is situated in a beautiful scenic site, but is marred by the
miserable looking fowls and birds in the exhibit areas.
There were a total of five enclosures but two were empty. The gibbon had no
facilities for playing or swinging.
There were fowls and peacocks in an overcrowded exhibit area designed like
a birdcage that had a hooked handle on the top. There were cockerels
fighting in the overcrowded space. There was constant fighting and pecking
among the hens and cocks leading to loss of feathers. The place was strewn
with debris, twigs and dry leaves. Some space in the enclosure was also
used to store garden equipment.
A pathetic looking buffy fish owl and a brahminy kite blind in one eye
shared the same exhibit area, each holding on to its feed on fish. Some
leftover fish were covered with gigantic red ants. The brahminy kite
defaecated into a bucket of drinking water that had been unchanged for days.
There were gardening tools in its enclosure as well. It was noted that the
perch was rectangular, which is highly unsuitable for predator birds as it
is impossible for them to have a proper grasp on the perch.
The Gua Musang District Council was facing several problems with the bird
park, namely that there was no allocation for the upkeep of the animals,
and the staff were forking our their own money for the animals' feed. There
was only one staff tending to the animals and birds.
The Johore Zoo
This place is obviously in a dilapidated state.
The enclosure for the water birds was overcrowded.
Toney the chimpanzee was lying on his back in a sterile environment and
refused to pay heed when called.
The horses had their rib cages jutting out and were possibly worm infested.
One horse was spotted eating its own faeces, indicating that there was
probably inadequate food.
There were two elephants that had no shade from the sun, no water, and no
rubbing posts.
This zoo has been privatised and has a new curator, an energetic young man
who was keen to revive the zoo and is taking cues from someone experience
in wildlife care. But funding is needed.
Kuala Krai Mini Zoo in Kelantan
This mini zoo is situated on a 10-acre site and is under the management of
the Kuala Krai Utara District Council. The condition of the mini zoo has
remained unchanged over the survey period.
There has been a decrease in the number of Buffy Fish owls from eight to
four. Its only diet comprised of chicken heads. Many were left untouched
and were covered with houseflies and bees.
In fact, the diet provided for the animals and the birds remains unchanged
throughout the year - chicken heads and fruits.
A mongoose was inside a small wire mesh sage the size of a cat trap and had
been given chicken heads for food. The chicken heads remained untouched.
The floor of the primates exhibit area was covered with algae, and was
moist and damp, probably because it was under the shade of a tree. The
concrete trough contained dirty water that was meant for drinking. The
primates indulged in grooming, repetitive climbing patterns, sitting and
munching on nothing, and constant banging at the bars.
In the next partition, a pig-tailed macaque coughed out loud and a fresh
red sore on the scrotum was visible.
A pair of musang bulan were seen napping, one on a narrow rectangular bar
with its four limbs hanging over the sides, and the other on a rectangular
platform made of planks nailed together. Bananas were left untouched and
were covered with houseflies.
There were two honey bears that were kept in a very small cage and were
constantly pacing.
There were local birds of different species in an aviary that had a tree in
it. But there were too many birds in the enclosure.
A cockatoo that had probably had beautiful plumage was turning bald. It was
given no stimulus and it stood tethered to its perch the whole year round.
It was placed in a storeroom filled with bananas.
During the monsoon season, the mini zoo was usually flooded and many of the
animals had to be shifted to higher ground. Many fell sick during this
period.
Taman Buaya HB Village in Kota Bharu, Kelantan
There has been hardly any improvement over the five-year period and is in a
worsening state now.
The feathers of jungle fowls here were ruffled, and there were reddish
sores on their backs.
A pair of macaques was in an enclosure without a protective barrier to
protect them from people getting close to them. A person could go right up
to the enclosure and be greeted by outstretched arms that would snatch
anything that was offered. There was no drinking water seen in the
enclosure area.
A pair of timorensis was calling out incessantly and appeared nervous when
approached. The ground was stripped bare of any vegetation and the grass
for the deer was shrivelled as no new fodder was added.
The crocodile pond was covered with a layer of slime and oil, which
deprived the pond of oxygen. There was no sight of a crocodile.
One of the keepers informed the SAM staff that sick crocodiles were
slaughtered and the fat from the carcasses were extracted and processed
into oil. It was then mixed with herbal ingredients and were sold at the
entrance of the mini zoo, where there were pamphlets promoting the merit of
the oil.
A tekukur jawa has a container of filthy drinking water, which had been
unchanged for many days.
Water birds were standing in a pool of stagnant, filthy, murky water,
probably unchanged for weeks.
There was another primate enclosure encircling a coconut tree and in it
were two macaques tethered to the tree with short chains. This was to
prevent escape. The plastic basin for water was cracked. The only food made
available were old coconuts with hardened flesh. The monkeys had been
tethered to the tree for the past five years.
There were five porcupines in an enclosure, where there was unfinished food
in one corner of the concrete floor. Houseflies swarmed over the mess,
which had probably not been cleaned for days.
There was a pair of slow loris curled up with their heads tucked under
their bodies. They were exposed to bright sunlight; there were no hiding
screens or branches for cover. It was a pitiful state. During the visit a
man was banging away at the cage to provoke movement. There were also poked
and probed by the man's children.
A buffy fish owl was in a cage the size of a dog's kennel, was highly
nervous and was always trying to escape to the far end of the cage. Its
talons were enmeshed in the loose pieces of film netting covering the top
and sides of the cage. It beat its wings furiously against the side of its
cage to get loose from the net, resulting in loss of feathers. There was
also danger of its damaging its tendons or breaking its legs trying to free
itself from the net.
A python was kept in a plastic crate meant for visitors to touch and have
their pictures taken with.
Feeding was only carried out once a day and that depended on whether the
animal had finished their food from the day before. Hunger could be the
reason for the incessant calling out from the deer and the cries of the
otter.
There was also a loudspeaker blaring music loudly, so much so that one came
away with a buzz in the ear and an ache in the head.
The Taman Teruntum Mini-Zoo in Kuantan, Pahang
Here animals are kept in cages the size of cattery pens and constructed of
metal mesh on concrete base.
The primates were housed singly in semi-dark cages that had a water trough
in the middle of the moss-covered concrete floor. The trough took up most
of the floor space.
The animals were often begging for tidbits, largely to relieve boredom.
The cages were designed in such a way that facilitated hosing the cages
down without any thought given to the comfort of the animals. There was no
place for the animals to retreat from the public gaze.
There were a number of empty cages, meaning there are less inmates now.
Only one deer remained and the fish pond was empty as all the fish had been
eaten by the monitor lizards.
When an animal or bird became sick the vet is called in. Usually it takes
days for a vet to arrive, by which time it would be too late for the
animal. Horses that were sick were usually slaughtered and the meat was
given to the zoo staffs, who reportedly relish the meat.
It was learned that the double row of cattery pens would be dismantled to
make way for an aquarium center. What will be the fate of the remaining pig
tailed macaque remains to be seen.
The exhibit area for the bears consisted of an uncoloured concrete area and
some terraced steps down to a narrow, dry and sandy moat. A concrete den
provided the setting for the exhibit area. Three bears were sleeping and
one was indulging in the stereotype pattern of begging and regular pacing.
There was an enclosure that had been partitioned into sections for a
gibbon, birds, a jungle cat, an egret and bear cats. The gibbon, whose mate
had fallen sick and died, tried to snatch the visitors' belongings. The
animals looked disconcerted in this totally artificial environment that had
inadequate space.
The bear cat slept on a sleeping platform made of planks of wood pieced
together. There was obviously inadequate space on this platform as the
animal's feet kept sticking out through the narrow spaces between the
wooden planks.
The solitary egret stood on top of a perch. Its partner had died after a
kite had attacked its head when they were placed in the same enclosure.
Zoos should
o Be subject to a mandatory licensing system, which includes a license to
operate and compulsory training programs for all zoo staff.
o Be subject to a system of control protecting all wildlife in captivity.
This would entail microchipping every animal to ensure accountability in
transfer, sales, exchange and disposal of surplus stock. Zoos with unduly
high mortality through neglect or incompetence would be reclassified to
reduce the number of animals in their possession or to prohibit further
acquisitions.
o Regulate breeding to prevent surplus stock and eliminate surplus abuse
where animals are sold, donated or dumped in circuses.
o Draw up a Central Zoo Fund with contributions from all operating zoos -
so that even if there were serious financial difficulties the operational
and care costs could be taken of, and the zoo animals would be spared
unnecessary suffering.
o Strive to communicate the basic value of compassion for animals as fellow
beings and educate members of the public as to their role in preserving the
ecosystem.
o Enforce rules and regulations for visitor conduct that would not cause
stress or harm to the animals and the environment.
These are the observations that were made at some of the zoos in the Sahabat Alam Malaysia survey.
Taman Jubli Bird Park, Sungai Petani, Perak:
Deteriorating conditions since the last survey in 1995. There were missing name plates on the cages and enclosures. No sign of animals except for a decreased number of birds confined in miserable small cages.
The pig-tailed macaques which used to occupy the rusty enclosure had been released into the hills of Gunung Jerai. A solitary bird is now in the enclosure. The enclosure was not fully sheltered and the bird-perch was a five-inch metal rod welded to a supporting metal pipe.
Only a worker on duty on Friday as the others were off on their regular off-days. He was quite reluctant to answer the questions posed and seemed to be in a hurry to go home.
Overcrowding of rabbits in pen due to high reproductive rate, but the council staff knew how to keep their numbers down: by taking home the rabbits for their own consumption. Bean sprouts and long beans for rabbits were dumped into a filthy, dirt covered container inside the pen.
Predator bird fed on a diet of fish with the leftovers scattered all around, attracting swarms of houseflies.
A pair of barn owls in a tiny cage shared the same perch, leaving one hardly any space to stand on. Flight in this confine space was impossible. There was only enough space for the owl to hop from perch to floor of cage and back to perch again.
The owl exhibit was too exposed and the birds were easily frightened when visitors surrounding their cage shouted and banged on the cage. An owl on a wire mesh floor with an injured wing.
A Hawk Owl and a Hill Mynah shared a rectangular wooden perch in the same enclosure.
Pigeons were confined in overcrowded enclosures, littered with wastes and feathers.
Several cages were extremely filthy, strewn with decomposed food.
Empty number of cages. It is in a deplorable state despite pledges by the Kuala Muda District Council to improve the zoo following public complaints in 1991.
This is a private mini zoo owned by Hussein Beladar from Beladar Holdings.
There has been no improvement since the first and second visit and is in a worsening condition now.
Jungle fowls with ruffled feathers, and sore marks on their backs.
A pair of macaques in an enclosure without protective barrier to prevent visitors from getting close to them. A person could go right up to the enclosure and be greeted by outstretched arms that would snatch anything that was offered. No drinking water in the enclosure area.
Deer looking rather tensed when approached, were enclosed on barren ground.. They were fed on grasses which were several days old as they had shrivelled up.
The crocodile pond covered with a layer of slime and oil. There were no crocodiles in sight.
One of the keepers informed SAM that sick crocodiles were slaughtered for their fat which were extracted and processed into oil. Herbal ingredients were then mixed with the oil and bottled up, to be sold at the entrance to the mini zoo. Pamphlets were distributed to visitors promoting the medicinal use of crocodile oil.
A bird (tekukur jawa) and a container of filthy drinking water, which had not been changed for days.
Water birds standing in a pool of stagnant, filthy, murky water, unchanged for weeks.
In another primate enclosure encircling a coconut tree, a pair of macaques were tethered to the tree on short chains to prevent escape. Broken plastic container for water nearby. The only food available was an old coconut which could hardly be eaten as the inside white fleshy part had hardened up. The monkeys had been tethered to the tree for the past five years.
There were five porcupines in an enclosure, with houseflies swarming all over the untouched food in a corner of its enclosure.
A pair of pathetic looking slow loris slept curled up with heads tucked under their bodies. They were fully exposed to direct light with no shady branches for cover. A man banging hard at the cage to provoke movement. They were also poked and probed by the children.
A buffy fish owl in a cage the size of a dog’s kennel, and in an agitated state as it tried to stay clear of visitor. In its bid to get away from the crowd its talons got enmeshed in the loose pieces of film netting covering the top and sides of the cage. Flapping its wings furiously against the side of its cage to free its feet from the net resulted in the loss of feathers. There is danger of damaged tendons or breaking a leg trying to free itself from the net.
A python kept in a plastic crate for photo shots and handling by visitors.
Feeding was only once a day depending on whether the animals had finished their food the day before. Hunger could be the reason for the incessant cries of the deer and otter.
A loudspeaker blared at peak volume that one came away with a buzz in the ear and an ache in the head.
Kuala Krai Mini Zoo in Kelantan:
The mini zoo situated on a 10-acre site is under the management of the Kuala Krai Utara District Council. The condition of the mini zoo has remained unchanged since the last two surveys.
There has been a decrease in the number of Buffy Fish owls, from eight to four. Its diet is only raw chicken heads which were untouched and covered with houseflies and bees.
In fact, raw chicken heads and fruits are the only food provided for animals and birds.
A mongoose inside a small wire mesh cage the size of a cat trap, was also fed on chicken head. It ignored its food.
Floor of primate exhibit area was moist and damp and covered in algae, as it was under a huge shady tree. The concrete trough contained dirty water meant for drinking. The primates indulged in self-grooming, repetitive movement of climbing, sitting, munching and banging on the metal bars of their enclosure.
In another partition, a pig-tailed macaque with an open wound on the scrotum was having a bad cough.
A pair of musang bulan seen napping, one on a narrow rectangular bar with its limbs hanging over the edge, and the other on a rectangular platform comprised of planks nailed together. Bananas left untouched and covered with houseflies.
Two honey bears in a small cage exhibiting stereotype behaviour of continuous pacing.
There were local birds of different species in an overcrowded aviary.
A cockatoo in the midst of loosing all its lovely plumage. It had no stimulus and it stood tethered to its perch for life. It is locked inside the storeroom when the keeper is not around.
During the monsoon season, the mini zoo gets flooded and many of the animals had to be shifted to higher ground. Many fell sick during this period.
This bird park is situated on a lovely scenic spot, but the beauty is marred by the pathetic looking fowls and birds in the exhibit areas.
There are a total of five enclosures but two are empty. The gibbon had no facilities for play and exercise.
Hens, cockerels and peacocks confined together in an overcrowded area designed to look like a gigantic bird cage.
The fowls were attacking and pecking one another leading to loss of feathers. The place was strewn with debris, twigs and dry leaves. Space within the enclosure was also used for storage of garden equipment.
A pathetic looking buffy fish owl and a brahminy kite (blind in one eye) shared the same exhibit area, each grabbing a fish in its talons. Unfinished fish swarmed with gigantic red ants. The brahminy kite defaecated into a bucket of drinking water that had remained unchanged for days. There were gardening tools in its enclosure as well. It was noted that the perch was rectangular, which is highly unsuitable for predator birds as it is impossible for them to have a proper grasp on the perch.
The Gua Musang District Council was facing several problems with the bird park, mainly because there was no allocation for the upkeep of the animals, and the staff were forking our their own money for the animals’ upkeep. There was only one staff tending to the animals and birds.
The Taman Teruntum Mini-Zoo in Kuantan, Pahang:
Here animals are kept in cages the size of cattery pens and constructed of metal mesh on concrete base.
The primates were housed singly in semi-dark cages that had a water trough in the middle of the moss-covered concrete floor. The trough took up most of the floor space.
The animals were often begging for tidbits, largely to relieve boredom.
The cages were designed in such a way that facilitated hosing the cages down without any thought for the comfort of the animals. There was no place for the animals to retreat from the public gaze.
There were a number of empty cages. Only a deer remained and all the fish in the pond had been eaten by monitor lizards.
When an animal or bird falls sick a veterinarian is summoned. Normally it takes days for a vet to arrive, by which time it would be too late for the animal. Sick horses were slaughtered and the meat distributed amongst the zoo staff, who relished the meat.
It is learnt that the double row of cattery pens would be dismantled to make way for an aquarium center. What will be the fate of the remaining pig tailed macaque remains to be seen.
The exhibit area for the bears is a concrete den with steps leading to a narrow, dry and sandy moat. Three bears were napping, obviously out of boredom and one was exhibiting a stereotype pattern of begging and pacing.
An extended enclosure partitioned into sections for a gibbon, birds, a jungle cat, an egret and bear cats. A lone gibbon, whose mate had died, tried to snatch the belongings of visitors. In this totally artificial environment with inadequate space, the only stimulation for the animals and birds were handouts and harassment from visitors.
A bear cat slept on a sleeping platform of planks of wood pieced together. There was obviously inadequate space on this platform as the animal’s feet kept sticking out through the narrow gap between the planks.
An egret stood on top of a perch. Its mate had died after an attack on the head by a brahminy kite after being confined together in the same enclosure.
This place is obviously in a dilapidated state.
The enclosure for the water birds was overcrowded.
‘Toney’ the chimpanzee was lying on his back in a sterile environment showing sign of no movement when called out.
Horses with ribs protruding from the sides and severely underfed. One horse was spotted eating its own faeces.
Two elephants without protection from the sun, without any water, and no rubbing posts.
This zoo has been privatised and has a new curator, an energetic young man who is keen to revive the zoo and is taking cues from someone with experience in wildlife care. But funding is needed.
There have been numerous news reports and letters on the deplorable state of the Malaysian zoos. Below are some of the complaints.
October 10 1996 (The Star):
Complaint from a member of the public about a friendly tiger, which was caged in a small enclosure in Sunway Lagoon in Kuala Lumpur. The enclosure was beside a busy pedestrian access road to the Water Theme Park. There was loud music blaring all day long. The complainant was concerned that the tiger, being a night animal, was being exposed to such loud music during the day.
March 21 1998 (The Star)
Complaint in an article about a district museum as well as a mini zoo in Tampin, after Seremban, where Sunday visitors poked with sticks at the few surviving monkeys. Most of the cages and aquarium tanks are dirty and abandoned. The writer wondered how many animals have perished there. The last he was there, a terrapin almost one metre in length had to survive in a 2m x lm cement tub.
May 28 1998 (The Star):
A letter to the editor about the
exhibit areas and pens that were empty or unkempt in the Zoo Negara. The exhibit
areas that were noticeably unkempt were the enclosures for the turtles and the
penguins. Rubbish and other objects floated in the stream running through the
zoo. The writer said that he dared not comment on the visible unhealthiness of
the animals.
June 4 1998 (The Star):
A letter to the editor regarding the bad conditions of Zoo Negara and the Johor Zoo. He wrote that the captive animals in the Johor Baru Zoo were listless and bored. Many had large maggot-infested wounds with swarms of flies sitting on them. And there was not the slightest evidence that these animals were treated at all. The cages were filthy. Lions and tigers were dead and their cages empty.
December 9 1998 (New Straits Times - NST):
A letter from a reader about the poorly maintained Johor Zoo with its dirty and smelly cages. There was animal faeces in the cages and the drinking water for the animals was brownish. The animals were a pitiable sight. There were no labels on the animals’ cages.
In one incident a visitor was seen smoking in front of an animal’s cage. A monkey put its hand out of the cage in a gesture of asking for food. The man gave the cigarette to the monkey, which took it and then screamed when its hand was burnt.
There were camels with wounds all over their bodies, which were surrounded by flies and other small insects. The camels kept scratching the wounds until the wounds began to bleed. It was a horrible sight.
(SAM learnt that the two camels had been put down)
May 26 1999 (New Straits Times)
A letter from a reader on the dire need to review the existing policy on private and government owned mini zoos, particularly during the economic slowdown. A request was also made for more facilities at the zoos in Kuala Lumpur.
The letter also suggested for the zoos in Malacca and Taiping to be improved and to have only one or two well maintained ones instead of so many zoos.
April 27 1999 (New Straits Times)
Following a letter from a reader in Sri Damansara, Selangor, about the Sultan Abu Bakar Museum’s mini zoo in Pekan, Pahang, NST conducted a check on the zoo. NST found a number of problems. There was animal faeces clogging the drainage system. The cages for the sun bears measure about 1.3m by 1.3m and there is no shelter from the elements.
The Lesser Adjutant Stock appeared sick and in need of medical attention. The cages were not properly maintained and there was faeces scattered around.
A porcupine was sniffing at its meal of rice mixed with milk, which was splattered all over the dirty cement floor outside its cage. It had to eat through a gap in its cage.
The mini zoo has since closed and all animals removed following the report.
July 1 1999 (New Straits Times)
Financial constraints held back the Kuala Krai District Council from improving the condition of the Kuala Krai mini zoo, which comes under the jurisdiction of the North Kuala Krai District Council (MDKKU). There is no special allocation made for the zoo or its development. The cost of its maintenance and staff is borne by the Council itself.
The animals are housed in cages except for the tame mammals (like the deer), which are held in a fenced area resembling their natural habitat. The Secretary of the MDKKU even claimed that the confinement of some of the animals was quite inhumane; with elephants chained and bears kept in small cages.
November 17 2000 (The Star)
Three South African giraffes died when A’ Famosa Safari Park staff tried to recapture them after the animals escaped from their designated enclosure. Sources said the giraffes died of broken necks and other injuries when they fell into a ravine and a drain, after being shot with tranquilisers. The remaining three giraffes, brought in from South Africa to the 60ha safari were also injured in the accident. The giraffes were believed to have reacted wildly because they were highly stressed after the long flight from South Africa.
November 27 2000 (The Star)
Letter to the editor expressing anger at news of the deaths of the giraffes at A’Famosa. Several questions were raised as to the capabilities of the staff and the authorities in the handling of the giraffes. The letter also questioned who would be accountable for the animals deaths and if more animals are brought in, will they face the same fatal consequences.
Letter to the Editor 13th July 2001
SAM
Calls on Authorities for Improvements to Zoos and Animal Parks.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia’s nationwide surveys on zoos and animal parks involving
big zoos, mini zoos, aviaries, deer parks, fun park attractions, reptile and
butterfly farms, revealed a vast majority of these establishments as
sub-standard and deficient by even the most lenient measure. Some of these
facilities have been established either by the states, local councils or
private bodies.
SAM’s survey revealed the following:-
· In most cases, enclosures are poorly designed with zoos trying to imitate one another too much in enclosure designs. Cages are built and designed with zoo visitors in mind rather than with consideration for the animals’ comfort.
· Cages or enclosures are often damp and dark, covered in algae due to
poor drainage and inadequate exposure to sunlight. Absence of climbing or
exercise facilities, sleeping space, sterile and empty – where environments
within the confines of zoos and aquariums.
A
lack all the things of the wilderness areas, such as temperature, humidity,
weather, smells, earth, plants and other animals exist.
· Deprived of their natural environment, social structures and outlets for many of the skills for which they have evolved, animals exhibit abnormal behaviour - repetitive and obsessive actions known as `stereotypic behaviour.’ A wide variety of species, including elephants, bears, primates and big cats, both young and old, wild and captive-born are affected. Wildlife’s abnormal behavioural pattern is attributed to space restriction in cages and abuse by zoo visitors. Abuses ranging from shouting, banging on the enclosures, stick poking and stone hurling are contributory factors to stress in animals.
· In all these facilities there is a total lack of competent and knowledgeable zoo keepers. Those at the keeper level are largely uninterested in their charge, coming to the job with no background in animal care and least knowledge of zoo animals.
· Then there is the question of surplus animals through overbreeding which zoos are too happy to off load the surplus to smaller zoos, circuses or other smaller establishments which keep coming up.
Basically these facilities represent life imprisonment for the captive wildlife and are little more than money-spinners that cloak themselves in the guise of ‘nature education.”
Such being the case SAM has, in a memorandum dated 12th July 2001 to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, called for positive changes to be introduced including the need for a national law and policy relating to the management and establishment of zoos and other places where animals are kept in captivity.
Among the recommendations include -
- A mandatory special licensing system which includes licence to operate, licence to breed and compulsory training programs
- To maintain the highest consideration in designing animal enclosures, high standard of sanitation and hygiene and presence of a resident vet.
- Registration of every animal to ensure accountability in transfer, sales, exchange and disposal of surplus stock.
- Legislation on zoos and other places where animals are kept in captivity should cover the import and export of endangered species and any illegal trade in CITES species must be addressed under the proposed act.
- The establishment of a Central Zoo Fund to be drawn up with contributions from operating zoos and all such facilities where animals are kept which will be used later to help other such establishments in financial difficulties.
- To make it mandatory for any application for new zoos and those who want to shift or expand to submit their detailed proposal to the Central Authority through their state governments for consideration.
Only with a proper policy and law will the state our zoos and animal parks improve. Until these measures are in place, SAM calls for a moratorium on any further establishment of zoos or animal parks.
S M
Mohd Idris
President.
12hb Julai 2001
