JOHOR BAHRU – Johor Zoo, Malaysia’s oldest zoo, is set to welcome over 10,000 visitors on its reopening day on August 31, after being closed for three years.
As of noon, 7,287 tickets had already been sold, according to Johor Housing and Local Government Committee Chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor. The reopening coincides with Malaysia’s National Day, and in celebration, the zoo offered a 50% discount on tickets, with adult Malaysian visitors paying only RM10 (S$3).
Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities are granted free entry, further boosting the number of expected visitors. Some families were eager to take advantage of the National Day weekend, with many arriving as early as 7:30 a.m.
To accommodate the influx of visitors, the state has prepared 500 parking spaces at the nearby old Ayer Molek prison, with four shuttle buses in operation to ferry guests to the zoo. Each bus is expected to transport about 4,300 passengers throughout the day.
Mr. Mohd Jafni mentioned plans to increase the number of self-service ticketing kiosks due to the high number of visitors arriving without cash. Additionally, more personnel will be stationed to manage the traffic flow around the zoo.
Johor Zoo, originally opened in 1928 by the late Johor Sultan Sir Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar and formerly known as Kebun Binatang, is home to 275 animals from 53 species, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. The ticket prices for locals are set at RM10 for adults and RM5 for children, while foreigners are charged RM30 per person.
The zoo’s reopening marks a significant event for the state, drawing both local and international visitors eager to experience its rich history and diverse wildlife.