A Malaysian Photo And Travel Blog

Location: National Zoo, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 16 October 2008, 12.58pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 200

16th October 2008 (A big buffalo craving for attention and some otters caught in action at National Zoo Malaysia/Zoo Negara)

Lately, the weather in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia is totally unexpected. On my recent trip back to Zoo Negara/National Zoo Malaysia, the weather is CRAZY! Earlier that day, it was cloudy. Suddenly, there is a light drizzle that last less than half an hour. After that, it was a bright afternoon for one hour. By 4.00 pm, it started to rain again...this time it rains heavily!

After taking a short break (only with a can of 100 PLUS), I decided to carry on with my tour of the zoo. I move to the buffalo enclosures. There are different types of buffaloes in the zoo. Some of them are typical water buffalo, while others are mix breed. It's difficult to take pictures of buffaloes. These animals normally stay in groups. I nearly gave up hope taking decent photos of these animals. I was moving to the wild boar enclosure. Then, suddenly a large-sized buffalo was moving very close to the barricade. It was eating fallen shrubs at the barrier. Slowly and discreetly, I walk to the enclosure and started taking pictures. Again...not an easy task. The row of shrubs were blocking the view. I position myself closer and snapped some close-up shots. It turn out to be some really good photos! I was apprehensive at first because the buffalo is a humongous animal. I don't want to be kick in the arse with the sharp and pointy horns!

After the short drizzle...the Zoo is brighten up with the sunny sky. It was a wonderful moment to capture some photos of plants. I managed to discover some secluded spots in the zoo that is full of big trees and exotic green plants. As usual, I select the type of plants that has papery thin leaves. I tried out different angle to get the best results. A tiring thing to do, but the end results is excellent.

Next, I move to the otter enclosure. There were around 9 - 10 otters. I saw a few workers sawing logs of wood to be added into the otter enclosure. The otters were enjoying the bony delights (raw fish)...some of them were chewing the meat while others were playing hide and seek. It was a golden opportunity to take more photos. Unfortunately, the concrete barrier separating the otters and visitors is too high. I have to virtually climb up the wall to get a better photo spot.

Then, I move to the zoo's aquarium and souvenir shops. Lots of fishes! The aquarium is NICE! The only shortcoming is the glass wall in the aquarium is too foggy and full of scratches...Impossible to take photos there.

Overall, I truly enjoyed my nostalgic revisit to National Zoo Malaysia. There are lots of improvement in the zoo...better and larger enclosure...more exhibits...improved signage...huge marine collection in the aquarium and also a very informative reptile and amphibian house. The other shortcoming is the Ape Centre...large-sized orang-utans are being kept in a glass-like room. I hope the management of the zoo is able to provide a better living space for these large orang-utans...maybe allowing them to mix with the smaller orang utans (outdoor). I spent nearly four hours in the zoo and managed to explore 90% of the zoo.

Some pictures I took when I went to visit the National Zoo Malaysia/Zoo Negara: