Taiping Zoo, Zoo and Night Safari in Taiping, Malaysia
Taiping Zoo covers 36 acres (15 ha) at the foot of Bukit Larut, beside Taiping Lake Gardens. It keeps about 1,500 animals of 140 species, including thirteen stump-tailed macaques, the largest group in Malaysia. Its open-concept exhibits prioritize the animals' original habitats, with streams, a lake and greenery woven through the grounds.
Taiping Zoo opened on 7 March 1924, making it the oldest zoo in Malaysia and the first public zoo in the country. It was established as Taman Mergastua Sultan Idris Shah in the natural setting of Taiping Lake Gardens near the foot of Bukit Larut. A night safari was added in March 2003.
The zoo serves as a place where schoolchildren and families learn about wildlife conservation through direct observation of animals. The different sections allow visitors to understand how animals live in their natural habitats.
The zoo can be reached by bus to Kamunting Terminal or by train to Taiping Station and operates daily from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring plenty of water, as the tropical setting requires moving around the grounds quite a bit.
The Night Safari program, introduced in 2003, uses specialized lighting systems that replicate moonlight and allows visitors to watch nocturnal animals during their active hours. This offers a rare chance to see animal behavior normally hidden during daytime.
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