12:00 29/4/2012 After we said our prayers in St. Francis Xavier Church and had quick glutonnic affair on our last day in Melaka. We’re half exhilarated half anxious as we’re back to road tripping. If you recalled (link here) on our first day on the road, getting lost were bit a norm. Oops, it did happen again on the second day. We had passed the Melaka Zoo and reached as far in expressway going back to KL. Yeah, luck wasn’t really on our side during that time. So we took U-turn and carefully look for a sign board guiding us to Melaka Zoo. Then we spotted the welcome board along Ayer Keroh Highway. Finally, we arrived at our last destination of our Melaka Trip itinerary.
So why a Zoo? We could have spent our last day at a nice resort or do an adventure like cart racing. But we skipped them all and had favored the zoo. Because we haven’t visit an actual one. It was our very first time to enter in a real zoo. So our kindred kiddo spirit had awaken and we’re very enthusiastic comparable to that of a kindergarten zoo excursion first timers.
Melaka Zoo
We paid RM10 for the entrance and this will be good to roam the whole 22 hectares of an animal sanctuary. Though they have an available tram but we opted for a walk, for an unrestricted tour around the zoo. We didn’t mind the queue and waited for our turn to enter the premises.
The Birds
The Green Winged Macaw greeted everyone near the entrance and made random movements to capture one’s attention. We’re expecting the bird will talk, but got dismayed. We even tried to teach the bird some words but we kept ignored. Before we realized they are types who’re not good in mimicking unlike their cousin Parrots and Mynas. Other than random tricks on the tree, this bird still amused us with his sparkling bright multi-coloured feathers flashing with all his might to be noticed.
Then our eyes shifted to the Blue and Yellow Macaws whose undeniably cam whores. You got it right, every time we snap a photo of them they cooperate and strike an undaunted pose. Artista Much? They are really a sweet couple and always keep near to each other. Macaws were known to be monogamous and it’s their nature to only have a single partner for the rest of their life. That means they can celebrate their Silver, Gold or even Diamond anniversary as these birds can last up to 80 years. Before we bid adieu we’re waiting to witness if these folks can utter a word just like in the ad of a biscuit. Remember “Kulot gusto ko ng crackers” but they’re too preoccupied taking a pose for other visitors.
Other Birds
And when we saw a blue hue bird parading on the field. We can’t stop ourselves singing. “I wanna see your peacock , cock, cock your peacock”. Maybe he didn’t like our song as he shooed away and disregard our Katy Perry’s rendition. Wow! Trying to get the attention of that juvenile female on the same field. We thought of witnessing a peafowl mating ritual any time but female seems to ignore the cock, I mean the peacock.
Then we saw another blue bird but this time a different specie, Blue-Crowned Pigeon. This bird seems to be a snob and doesn’t like to be stare, shy type eh?
A large wading bird, with down curved tip yellow bill took stayed in the middle of the huge cage, contemplating maybe of his next great escape. We can’t help but felt awry looking to his demeanor. Maybe this Painted Stork got already tired of their routine life in the aviary, we thought.
The Doe and the Stag
The Swamp Deer or locally called Barasingha in India we’re on the verge of extinction. But had been prevented as this specie had been carefully monitored. Sad to say we haven’t seen a stag, we badly want to see its striking 10-14 tines on its antlers.
Bambi? It’s not a white-tailed deer its called Leche Red Lechwe from Africa. The Doe we’re kinda busy taking their lunch.
While their male counterpart had taking their siesta or should say intimate moments. Bromance? lol. The long spiral structured horns were really fascinating. The tip of the horn were kinda sharp, so play chasing game with them is not a good idea.
This cute Axis Deer had been staring us for more than 5 minutes. Can’t think of any reason why he gave us that auspicious look. We realized he just want to be pictured before it shun away.
The Shaggy coat of Sambar Deer makes it unique from the family of deers that we saw in Melaka Zoo. This subtle creature made us wanna give him a big hug, if we’re allowed though. lol
Nilgai or Blue bull is touted as the biggest Asian Antelope. The cow/deer like which is commonly from India had its grey-bluish coat that makes them peculiar. And because of their cattle like appearance, they considered as holy in India which protects them from hunting.
Family Bovidae
The Malayan Gaur or known as Seladang in Malay is native gaur in Malayan peninsula. This big bovine had been considered vulnerable to extinction and it’s currently monitored and protected. At that time of our visit, this massive mammal took a refuge underneath a tree which gave us that chance to take a look closely.
Banteng or Tembadau are wild cattles that had been domesticated in Southeast Asia. Good thing this duo were enjoying their afternoon siesta while their kin were busy plowing the fields or worst slain for meat production.
The long oversized horn of Ankole Cattle made them noticeable from a distance. Their horns can reach up to 8 feet. No wonder why people keep a relative distance from this long horned cattle. By the way, they’re domesticated and native in Africa.
The Blue Wildebeest had stayed away from his solitary confinement. For sure this guy had missed his kin folks in the African Savannah where they usually migrated in herds 🙁
Cast of Madagascar
It was great to see the actual cast of Madagascar 🙂
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| Gloria and Marty eh? |
The timid Zebra that been keeping a distance from spectators and the near threatened White Rhinoceros wallowing the mud.
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| Melman and friend. |
The Giraffes enjoying the shade while staying in their cage pen. We want to see them freely roaming around and probably got a chance to feed them. But unfortunately they just stayed in one location for the whole time being we watched them.
Remember the self-proclaimed King Julian? The Ring-tailed lemur who fell in love with Sonya the bear on Madagascar’s 3rd installment. This animal was innocent looking and charming but when it got the chance to escape from the cage. We had been chased and run like a madman to get out fast from the big cage and realize that wild animals have a tendency to be hostile even they had an experience human encounters. Whew!
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| Alex napping in his turf |
We haven’t expected that Alex (Lion in Madagascar) was sluggish in real life in contrary to his role as a hyperactive adventurous character in the movie. The big Lion was just sleeping and wouldn’t budge even the crowd cracking some noise.
Typical Animals in Zoo
Since it was our first time ever to enter in a zoo, and Melaka Zoo was able to fulfilled that childhood wish to see these typical animals in our own eyes.
While Alex’s cousin, Tigger was busy soaking on personal tub. The Malayan Tiger is native to the peninsular Malaysia and these big cats can still be found in the dense jungle of Taman Negara.
These Tigers were currently endangered that’s why the Melaka Zoo and other organization had imperative efforts to protect and preserve this creature. They’re not only protecting the legacy but the national icon as well. You may notice, from Cars(Proton), Bank (May Bank), and Coat of Arms, Harimau Belang as they called have logo or emblems on it.
We also see the biggest mammal on the land, the elephants. We could tell it’s Asian elephants by just looking their ears. Asian types have their ears shorter while their African cousins have longer and reached over the neck. We’ll share our unforgettable experience with these land mammoths on a separate entry.
Have you seen ca capybara?
Is it a rabbit or a pig? No it’s Capybara. We had been surprised to see these large rodents in Melaka Zoo captivity. As I usually saw them in the Amazon, in Brazil featured in Nat Geographic channel. Somehow these two guys were lucky and had spared their life from the threats of the Anacondas.
Another animal that caught our attention was this Black Giant Squirrel. A squirrel that is native in Malaysian forest canopy. Though the cage has a trunk of a tree, duplicating of that rainforest, we could tell this animal missed the real habitat. Sad looking right?
The Orangutans made our Melaka Zoo experience more memorable. We witnessed them doing some circus type acrobats without any human intervention. They showed off their talents without expecting in return.
We capped our day with biggest smile on our face and will promise to visit Taman Negara and elephant sanctuary in Pahang. We’ll surely recommend Melaka Zoo if one looking for Nature Trip and want to see the vulnerable and endangered species in the world.
Zoo Melaka
Ayer Keroh,
75450 Melaka
Tel : +606-232 4053/ 4054
Faks: +606-232 5859
Email: info@zoomelaka.gov.my
http://www.zoomelaka.gov.my/
Nature Tripper,
Summer and Sky
This is part of our Melaka Trip Series
What to Do
Where to Eat
Where to Stay
(singing) I like to move it move it … i like to move it move it …this post reminded me of that funny movie 🙂
Madagascar's on my bucket list! But I think I hafta go to Melaka first. LOL.
We can hear you singing it with the dance, lol We <3 Madagascar!
Yeah go to Melaka first then don't forget to eat Cendol and Baba Nyonya laksa 🙂
Lovely photos, friend as if I was also there by just looking at them. The birds are amazing. Hope to be there in the near future.
The birds are so colorful. Hindi sya nakakasawang tignan.
Nice seeing the whole cast of Madagascar in Melaka Zoo. I like appreciating zoos and seeing the animals in full force.
I am always a fan of Zoo.I love to watch different animals inside the zoo.This spring break ,we are planning to go to a zoo again.I just don't know where yet.
It's quite cool yet I rather see them in the wild :))
Beautiful exotic birds.. nice that you've put them up first.
My first experience in a zoo was when I was still a teenage, visiting a local zoo in Iloilo City. Really fun filled experience, though I vowed not to be a fan of seeing animals in cages or enclosures. Zoo's make up for it in the learning process, and by teaching us to conserve natural wonders that live among us.
That's good thing about Melaka Zoo, they doing it for the sake of conservation. It's obvious that they're not relying on the zoo income as 10RM entrance fee would not really enough to feed the thousand of animals in the zoo.
Yeah, but this Zoo had did it's best to have at least replicate the animal's habitat in the wild, that's make it more unique 🙂
Same here Ms Tess, that's why we include it on our itinerary even the location was far in Melaka town proper. 🙂
Thanks Papaleng! The Birds in their aviary we're really awesome!
So are we mark 🙂 Sarap titigan ng mga Macawa, nakakawala ng problema
It was bonus Franc to see them all, hope to see penguin next time in another zoo.
Nice! Though I am hoping to see some other kind of animal there.
Actually marami pa tlagang animals, hindi ko na nakunan ng pics, ksi nsa loob ng cage, pangit tingnan 🙂
You're missing some major cast of the Madagascar. Gloria the hippo and the Penguins. hahaha I love Orangutan, their faces and eyes seems like they're try to say something.
Yeah, too bad there we're unable to see a hippo and penguin. Maybe some other time we'll visit the other zoo. 🙂
Yep, Orangutans we're really lovely and clever, they understand Bahasa 🙂
looking at the variety of animal, can't help but remember singapore zoo… hope i can visit this too, my kids would truly enjoy seeing the animals. Yahweh bless.
There's a penguin in Taipei Zoo. =>
The Ankole Cattle definitely looked intimidating! Haha. I just noticed that the Blue Wildebeest and the Elephants look a bit skinny. Nonetheless, I enjoyed going through your Melaka post since I'm fond of animals. I'm just not sure if I want to be chased by King Julian. 🙂
I'll keep that in mind 🙂 Thanks for info.
I noticed the same, because their diet is far different from the wild compared in the zoo.
Being chase by ring tailed lemur is not an everyday treat, and that was the highlight of our visit. 🙂
Very interesting yung Capybara napa research tuloy aq sa google:) In fairness parang nasa wild din lang ang mga hayop sana gawin din yan sa Manila Zoo natin:) (ini konek talaga jejeje)
That should be the ideal Jeff kaso kulang ng space ang Manila Zoo para gawin iyun. 🙁
The cattle with long horns looks scary.. hope to see more of this kinds of animals in the wild and not in zoos:)
spotted some animals in this zoo which are not in the zoos here in the Philippines,
Even more scarier if you got near them. 🙂
If I had the chance I would visit this zoo too! Their zoo is way better than ours. I've yet to visit Malaysia so most likely I will have the chance to visit it. Love your photos! 🙂
A beautifully photographed and written post. I'd love to visit.
Thanks for leaving a comment Danlocke 🙂
Yeah, there Zoo is well maintained and a visit here doesn't cost an arm and leg 🙂