Police have not ruled out the possibility of an inside job in the death of a sun bear and a thoroughbred horse, believed to have been poisoned, at the Malacca Zoo and Night Safari.

Malacca Crime Investigation deputy head Supt R Gunarajan said this was based on a preliminary investigation on fruit samples found at the scene.

The fruits were cut by an expert and according to specification for the animals concerned, he told reporters at a Chinese New Year celebration at the Malacca Police Contingent headquarters today.

He said police had identified two suspects.

The bear, a female, died on Sunday, five minutes after becoming epileptic, salivating in excess and suffering from a bout of diarrhoea.

According to the zoo’s veterinary officer, Dr Zubaidah Kamarudin, the bear, which the zoo had looked after since 2000, died after eating a banana laced with poison.

The horse, named ‘Basket’, was found dead in its stable yesterday.

Gunarajan said police found remnants of white powder, believed to be poison, and had sent it to the Chemistry Department for analysis.

“We are still waiting for the result,” he added.

He said police did not rule out the possibility of the animals being poisoned by workers or formers workers who were not happy with the zoo’s new management.

The Malacca Zoo and Night Safari was managed by the Wildlife and National Park Department since 1979 until early this year when it was handed over to the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council.

Gunarajan urged witness or those with information on the incident to contact the police.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson at the zoo, when contacted, said following the incident, visitors were no longer allowed to bring food to the and checks were carried out since yesterday.

- Bernama