Since the implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO), various sectors have experienced economic constraints which led to serious impact on the companies’ management.
Pavilion Petting Zoo, Gunung Lang is no exception as it faces financial difficulty in covering the cost of maintaining the animals.
Its manager, Mohd Shariff Yahaya said the maintenance cost of food is about RM7,000 to RM10,000 a month.
“To overcome this problem, we rationed animal feed to save food expenses up to RM7,000.
“Fortunately, in December 2020 to March this year, after the government reopened the tourism sector, we received the highest number of visitors, which was 20,000 people a month. We used the profit and savings to buy animal food.
“We also receive food aid such as vegetables and fruits from traders and animal lovers. The aid is very helpful and I hope it continues as the petting zoo has not been operating for four months. We are short of budget,” he said during an interview with Ipoh Echo recently.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Ipoh, Dato’ Rumaizi Baharin @ Md Daud also contributed RM3,000 to the petting zoo to cover the food expenses of the animals.
“This Petting Zoo has 75 species of animals and has great potential in helping the tourism sector in Ipoh, besides further enlivening the Gunung Lang recreational park.
“I call on the public, especially animal lovers, to come forward to help the management of this petting zoo in any form of donation.
“The high cost of expenses is incurred every month to ensure that food and animal maintenance can be done. Indeed, the four-month period of non-operation makes it difficult,” he said.
Members of the public who wish to help can contact Mohd Shariff at 019-9009079 or donate to the Pavillion Argo Farm account 1068 20003181 (Affin Bank).
Rosli Mansor
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