Zoo Negara receives RM1.3m from government for animals' food supplies
CORONAVIRUS | Zoo Negara has received an RM1.3 million special grant from the government for food supplies for the animals amid the movement control order (MCO).
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah expressed concern for the animals' welfare and said the funds had been given to the zoo this morning.
CORONAVIRUS | Zoo Negara has received an RM1.3 million special grant from the government for food supplies for the animals amid the movement control order (MCO).
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah expressed concern for the animals' welfare and said the funds had been given to the zoo this morning.
"The money is an initial step to help ease the plight of the zoo especially in providing food for the animals following its closure throughout the MCO from March 18 until April 28 to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus," he said in a statement published on the ministry’s Facebook today.
It is not just Zoo Negara that has been badly affected by the MCO, as Shamsul said zoo and permanent wildlife exhibition (ZPT) operators across the country are also experiencing a similar thing as their operations relied on ticket sales.
"The ministry is committed to helping ZPTs affected during the MCO and trying to raise funds to help," he said.
Shamsul also said that under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716), 34 ZPT operating permits have been issued by the ministry through the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).
The enforcement was to prevent operators from neglecting the animals in terms of nutrition, healthcare and hygiene, he added.
The government needs to take proactive measures to help operators ensure the welfare of the animals, the sustainability of ZPT operations which has over 1,058 employees as well as to improve the image of the country's wildlife conservation at an international level, he said.
ZPTs have carried out several initiatives with the help of NGOs to collect funds for food supplies, he said.
Corporate bodies, he added, should also contribute as part of their corporate social responsibilities (CSR).
A total of RM8 million is needed by 14 zoos and 20 ZPTs throughout the country, he said, if they want to continue operating till the end of December.
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