KUALA LUMPUR, 1 June 2009: The National Zoo is intensifying efforts to diversify its attractions, including setting up a freshwater fish aquarium, insectarium and aviary, and bringing in the pygmy elephant from the Sabah Zoo.
Malaysian Zoological Association president Ismail Hutson told Bernama that the pygmy elephant would be a major attraction especially among the children as it could only be found in Sabah.
On the freshwater fish aquarium, Ismail said it was expected to be fully operational by year’s end and would showcase not only freshwater fishes like the jelawat (pink tail barb), baung (mystus nemurus) and patin (silver catfish), but also prawns.
The National Zoo now has 5,437 animals from 482 species.
Ismail also said that it was working closely with the tourism ministry to promote itself as a tourist attraction.
