Zoo Negara More Giant Pandas on the move?

snowleopard · 1 Jan 2009

Malaysian National News Agency ~ BERNAMA

Giant pandas to Malaysia?

Kifaru Bwana · 1 Jan 2009

Zoo Negara has entered into MOU's with Shanghai Wildlife Park and Yingbo Zoo in China for an orang utan/giant panda exchange as well as other reciprocal animal transfers. The MOU relating to the giant panda pair envisages the pandas being on loan for 2 years only.

Chlidonias · 1 May 2013

and the pandas are finally arriving at Zoo Negara!
Zoo Negara prepares for new pandas - Latest - New Straits Times

1 May 2013

Preparation works in Zoo Negara to welcome a pair of young pandas from China by December are around the clock as the zoo has only seven months to build a mini complex complete with an animal hospital, kitchen and laboratory.

The first of its kind complex is shaped like a coliseum and will allow for visitors to take pictures and watch the animals in action in their natural habitat through a glass wall.

Zoo Negara Deputy Director Dr Muhammad Danial Felix said the complex, which cost RM24.9 million to build will be open to the public by December this year.

“The complex will allow for our staff to control the humidity and temperature of the environment to suit the panda’s habitat.

“The humidity is very crucial and temperature must be kept below -24 degree Celsius to ensure the pandas are comfortable,” he said.

Muhammad Danial said the zoo staffs, with cooperation from non-governmental organisation such as Human and Nature Development Society (HANDS) are planting 3,000 bamboo trees in five varieties around the zoo to accommodate for the pandas notorious appetite.

“We have been sending our staff to China to learn about pandas and its care including on deciding the type of bamboo trees to plant and how to feed them.

“We have to be very particular when it comes to caring for the panda as we need to comply with regulations set by the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

“For the first three months of their arrival the pandas will be accompanied by conservationist from China before the responsibility to care for them are given to local zookeepers,” he said.

Four year olds Fua, a male panda and its female partner Feng Yi, are expected to become the zoo’s most exciting exhibition yet to commemorate the zoo’s 50 years anniversary this year.

Fua and Feng Yi were both raised in China’s premier panda research and breeding centre in Chengdu.

They will be a part of the zoo exhibition for the next ten years and Muhammad Danial is hoping for the pair to produce baby pandas as part of a breeding program by the zoo.

“Fua and Feng Yi will make Zoo Negara their home for the next ten years and we are hoping for them to produce a baby panda in Malaysia. It will leave a significant mark on the zoo’s history.

“At the same time, we hope that the number of visitors to Zoo Negara with the addition of Fua and Feng Yi will increase by one to two million people for the next few years,” he said.

The pandas are part of an agreement signed between Malaysia Prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and China’s former premier Wen Jiabao.

Najib successfully secured the panda agreement after a visit to Nanning last year to officiate the Malaysia-China Industrial Park.

Malaysia government is expected to spend US$1 million every year as part the fee for the pandas.

Muhammad Danial said that Malaysia procurement of the panda is considered as a privilege as not all countries can receive pandas from China.

Aside from being a positive sign of diplomatic relations the pandas are also important to provide opportunities for the local zoo to develop itself and improve.

“Because of the pandas, the government has agreed to help Zoo Negara renovate and refurbish its facilities for the next few years.

“We are in the midst of meetings with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) to secure the RM50 million grant from the government.

“The grant will be used to reallocate 17 species of animals to new and better homes. At the same time we will receive help to treat our lake which is currently very muddy.

“The lake has not been touched ever since it was created 50 years ago so when the government decided to treat the lake water we are very thankful.

“Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) will help Zoo Negara with landscaping to make the zoo more environmentally friendly.

“So next year people can expect a different and more vibrant Zoo Negara thanks to the two pandas. This cooperation between the Malaysian and Chinese government provides Zoo Negara with the benefit to improve the skills and knowledge of our staff and improve our infrastructure,” he told the New Straits Times.

Although the panda’s agreement received its share of criticism, Muhammad Danial said the program will pose a long-term benefit for the zoo and contribute to the country’s overall wildlife conservation effort.

“Pandas are facing extinction in China due to habitat loss but the China government’s effort to conserve its pandas is acknowledge worldwide.

“Experts in Malaysia are keen to learn how they have successfully manage their endangered animal and how the same method can be applied to local animals who are facing the same problem such as the Orang Utan.

“Habitat loss for wild animals in inevitable as human population will increase over time and take over the land. There will be less room for the wild to exist in the future and we have to figure out ways for these animals to continue living while promoting a safer environment for them,” he said.

He added that the two panda’s arrival might be the big break Zoo Negara has been waiting for all these years. With an abundance of exciting developments underway, Felix said he is confident the zoo is moving towards international status soon.

On another note, the zoo will unveil its newest and most exciting exhibition in from mid-year onwards with the arrival of two female and one male Bengal white tigers from India.

The tigers weight 300 kilogram each and are known to be the biggest in its species. They are a part of an exchange program between Zoo Negara and another zoo in India.
Click to expand...

kiang · 21 May 2014

The giant pandas have arrived.

Giant pandas arrive at Zoo Negara - Latest - New Straits Times

vogelcommando · 24 May 2014

Pandas vs Tapirs :
Panda-monium at Zoo Negara but what about the tapirs? - Behind The Cage | The Star Online

vogelcommando · 24 May 2014

And more on the Pandas :
Feng Yi ready to mate but Fu Wa yet to show interest - Nation | The Star Online

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