As a childhood tradition, my grandfather would take me to the local zoo every time I visit. In fact, it was where I started taking my first photos when I got my first camera! This year, however, my grandfather did not have the strength he did before where we would walk for hours while he tells me all about the different animals and their unique characteristics. Hence, I went there with my sister and our experience there was simply eye-opening.
Taiping Zoo has always been my favorite zoo back here in Malaysia. Although Zoo Negara (National Zoo) is the largest zoo in the country, Taiping Zoo was the first zoo to be built in Malaysia back in 1961. Now, the zoo is home to 1500 animals across 180 different species. While I was taking some amazing pictures of these beautiful animals, I got to observe some kids at the zoo who were looking at a simple chimpanzee like they were completely foreign objects. Then it got me thinking: "Will these animals be around for generations to come?"
Everyday, lush forests and the serene waters are being cleared and contaminated to make way for development projects without a replacement. To add some context, urban development is inevitable with a rapidly growing human population and I'm all for it. However, I believe that some efforts to keep these natural habitats sustainable has to be taken. Anything from relocating these animals to making reforesting and large-scale cleanups can be a few of many efforts put toward sustainability, though they do come at a large cost.
A good glance at these animals made me wonder: "how many of them are out there"? There could be millions of a certain species and some even hovering around the low hundreds. I kept thinking to myself that I want the future generations to be able to enjoy the sight of these magnificent creatures in their own habitat and not having to watch them on Animal Planet. Of course, the forest won't be an ideal location to encounter a Sumatran tiger but it would be amazing if there were larger quantities of them still in existence for a more immersed safari experience if there ever was.
For now, zoos across the world are in need of funding after being closed for long periods of time due to restrictions placed during the pandemic. I strongly recommend parents to take their kids to the zoo and admire these animals right in front of their eyes. An animal of the same kind on TV may appear very different in real life as will their behavior. With ticket sales pouring in, zoos will be able to better upkeep enclosures, bring in more animals for species conservation, and create interactive experiences for everyone to enjoy. Go visit a zoo near you!
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