Photos of orangutan being kept in tiny cages and a solitary elephant calf chained under the rain at the Kemaman Zoo have prompted an outcry from animal welfare activists.

In a joint statement today, two NGOs said the photographs were shared by allegedly disgruntled Kemaman Zoo employees. The NGOs claimed they have since verified the authenticity of the photos.

"It is shocking. The standard of care provided is extremely poor," Malaysian Friends of the Animals (MFOTA) representative Hasrul Mohamad said today.

One photograph showed a baby orangutan in a tiny cage which Friends of the Orangutans Malaysia (Foto) director Upreshpal Singh speculated was being kept away from its mother.

"Separating mum and baby is stressful for both and can cause psychological damage to the infant," he said.

Upreshpal also alleged that elephants in the zoo were underweight and 'showing signs of extreme stress' while tigers were kept in small, barren cages when not on display.

Hasrul urged the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) to investigate the allegations and take immediate action.

Repeated attempts since yesterday to obtain comments from Kemaman Zoo authorities have been unsuccessful. Photographs supplied by the two NGOs have been shared with the zoo's officials.

When contacted, Malaysian Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (Mazpa) chairperson Dr Kevin Lazarus said his association will investigate the matter before issuing a statement.

Among other issues, he said, investigations would look into whether the baby orangutan was separated from the mother and whether the baby elephant was being chained for long periods.