Zoo Negara – Malaysia’s National Zoo in Kuala Lumpur

Zoo Negara (National Zoo) is a major zoological park in Malaysia located on 110 acres of land in Ulu Klang, near Taman Melawati on the north-east of Kuala Lumpur. It is only 5km from the city of Kuala Lumpur. It was officially opened on November 14, 1963. Zoo Negara is the first national zoo in Malaysia. The Zoo Negara, once set in virgin jungle, now stands like an oasis amidst a concrete jungle. Over the years, the zoo has transformed itself to an open concept zoo with over 90% of its animals kept in spacious exhibits with landscape befitting its nature. They are working in making sure that the old zoo concept is changed entirely.

Zoo Negara Malaysia is managed by the Malaysian Zoological Society, a non-governmental organization established to create the first local zoo for Malaysians. Zoo Negara is now has matured into a well-known zoo all around the world. It has a total of over 5137 animals from 459 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish from all over the world. A high percentage of the animals here are local, therefore, a visit to Zoo Negara will be informative for tourists keen to know more about the indigenous animal life in Malaysia. The zoo also has the Tunku Abdul Rahman Aquarium which displays more than 130 species of aquatic animals, both marine and freshwater, including invertebrates. Besides showcasing the animals, the zoo emphasized on these four main areas – Conservation, Education, Research and Recreation. The zoo is a valuable resource for all visitors from within Malaysia and overseas.

In the zoo are numerous paths meandering between wooded groves and tree-lined enclaves where the animal enclosures are located. Among the more exotic exhibits are the Sumatran tiger, orang-utans and gibbons. All are extremely rare outside this part of the world. There are also scheduled elephant shows in the elephant Amphitheatre and a “Multi-animal show in the “Main Amphitheatre”. Besides just watching the animals, including performances by orang utans and sea lions, children can also go for horse, camel and elephant rides. The zoo is particularly popular during weekends and public holidays. The spacious picnic grounds around the boating lake are excellent for family recreation. Other facilities available within the 25ha ground are restaurants and mini-train rides.

History

Zoo Negara or the National Zoo was established by founder and first Chairman of MZS, Mr. V.M Hutson (Later known as Tan Sri V.M. Hutson). In the early 1950s, Mr Hutson, an animal lover, took into his care animals that were abandoned or injured by illegal trappings. He housed them in his 5 acre garden at the Bangsar Estate (now known as Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur). Every weekend, large numbers of people drove out to the 3rd mile, Jalan Damansara where Mr. Hutson lived, and walked around his garden viewing these animals. In the collection was an Indo-chinese Tiger named Nikky, three Orang Utans nemed Jacko, Suzan and Jane together with six Estuarine Crocodiles. This collection formed the nucleus for Zoo Negara.

In 1957, the Malayan Agri-Horticultural Association (MAHA) opened a miniature zoo. After the creation of the mini-zoo, the idea of proper zoo was mooted in the public. As the idea gained momentum, the federal government chosen a spot in Ulu Klang, Selangor which is right beside the border of Kuala Lumpur. In the 1960s, Ulu Klang was an undeveloped green area. Zoo Negara was officially opened to public on November 14, 1963 at its current location by Y.T.M Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia. Zoo Negara was then known as the “Zoo in the Jungle” due to the greenery that surrounded the area.

The zoo welcomed its millionth visitor on February 14, 1966.

How to get there

Drive
If you plan to drive, the Zoo is located about 13km from Kuala Lumpur city centre, along Jalan Hulu Kelang, which is accessible through Jalan Ampang. Using Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) – from Ampang, u-turn at the Taman Melawati exit and take the first left; from Gombak, take the first left after the Taman Melawati exit flyover.

By Bus
If you opt for public transportation, take:
– Intrakota Bus No 20 from Central Market, KL
– Intrakota Bus No 170 bus from Jalan Ampang, KL
– Intrakota Bus No 17 bus from Jalan Raja Laut in the Chow Kit area, KL
– Metrobus number 16 from Central Market, KL. This bus will bring you to the zoo entrance.
– Rapid KL number U34 from Putra LRT Station, Wangsamaju, KL

By Taxi
From the city centre, the best way to get to Zoo Negara is to board the PUTRA LRT (Kelana Jaya Line), disembarking at Wangsa Maju station. From here, you can catch a cab to Zoo Negara.

By Light Rail Transit System (LRT)
Take the PUTRA LRT (Kelana Jaya Line), disembarking at Wangsa Maju station. From there, PUTRA Line Feeder Buses provide shuttle service every half an hour beginning at 9.30 am and ends at 7.00 pm to Zoo Negara every Sundays and Public Holidays. You can also take a taxi to Zoo Negara from there.

Address :
Zoo Negara
Hulu Kelang
68000 Ampang
Selangor Darul Ehsan

Phone: +603-41083422/7/8

Website: www.zoonegara.org.my

Food and Souvenir Kiosk

The Wild Restaurant
A variety of fast food and local delicacies are available here.

Wall’s Café
An outlet that specializes in western delicacies and a variety of ice cream.

Richard’s Corner
A small but sumptuous café that offers light and easy food such as sandwiches, burgers on the go.

Main Delicious
For those interested in cooling and delicious deserts, head on to this café for some famous “Ais Kacang” or “Cendol”.

QB Café
A scenic café by the lake, QB Café offers a variety of finger food and their main specialty, fish and chips.

Kancil Souvenir Shop & Kyoto Enterprise
Looking for some really unique gifts? Kancil Souvenir Shop and Kyoto Enterprise provide gifts for you to take home.

Bee Museum
Bee Museum is open to public on 5 July 2007. Visit and see the giant bees.

Other facilities

Prayer Room
An air conditioned prayer room is provided with ample space situated nearby the zoo’s main entrance.

Zoo Huts
There are a number of zoo huts around the zoo for you and your family to have a break. Try locating the air-conditioned ones!

Showtimes

Elephant Show
Weekends & Public Holidays: 10.30 am & 2.30 pm

Multi-Animal Show (Sea Lion / Orang Utan / Macaques / Macaws)
Daily: 11.00 am & 3.00 pm / 3.30 pm (Friday)

Nocturnal Animal Show
Weekends & Public Holidays: 8.30 pm

* The above is subject to cancellation without prior notice

Snapshot with animals

Photo Corner
Weekends & Public Holidays only
10.30 am & 4.00 pm

Multi-Animal Show’s Animals (Orang utan / Python / Birds)
Daily: 11.30 am & 3.00 pm / 4.00 pm (Friday)

Rides

Pony Rides
Weekends & Public Holidays only: 10.45am & 2.45pm

Train Rides
Weekdays: 9.00 am – 6.00 pm
Weekends: 9.00 am – 11.00 pm

Visitors information

Zoo Negara by Day is open daily from 9.00am – 5.00pm

Zoo Negara by Night is open on Saturday, Sunday and Malaysian Public Holidays from 9.00am – 10.30pm.

Rates
Adult RM15.00
Children (3yrs old-12yrs old) RM 6.00
Senior Citizen (60 years above) RM 6.00

Free entry if it is your birthday!
Please bring along I/C or birth certificate as proof.

Group discount (Malaysian Citizen Only)
15 and above RM1 off normal ticket rate
30 and above RM2 off normal ticket rate

School Consession Rate
Students with uniform RM 4.00.
With every 10 students that comes in, one teacher only has to pay RM 6.00 .
2 complimentary tickets with the first 20 students.