| Date opened | 1963 August 13, 1987 (To Public) |
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| Location | Ayer Keroh, Malacca, Malaysia |
| Land area | 54 acres (22 ha) |
| Number of animals | 1200 |
| Number of species | 215 |
| Memberships | ISO 9001:2000, SEAZA[1] |
| Website | zoomelaka.gov.my |
Malacca Zoo is a 54-acre (22 ha) zoological park located besides Lebuh Ayer Keroh (Federal Route ) in the town of Ayer Keroh in the state of Malacca, Malaysia. More than 1200 animals of 215 species can be found at the Malacca Zoo.[2] It is the second-largest zoo in Malaysia behind the National Zoo of Malaysia (Zoo Negara).[3] In 2007, along with the "Visit Malaysia" campaign, Malacca Zoo was visited by 619,194 visitors; the highest number ever recorded.[4]
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The zoo was established in the year 1963, along with the National Zoo of Malaysia (Zoo Negara), but its management was later taken over by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Malaysia in 1979. This enhanced its operations and upgraded its services for the public’s benefit. It was used as a wildlife rescue base before it was opened to the public by the then Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohammad on August 13, 1987. Although it has long been opened to the public, its primary roles as a rescue base and an animal sanctuary remain unchanged.[5][6][7] It now houses many birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, insects, and is the second largest zoo behind the National Zoo in Ulu Klang.[3]
Malacca Zoo was the first zoo in Malaysia to exhibit the critically endangered Sumatran Rhinoceros. It also houses overseas as well as local beauties such as the White Rhinoceros, Asian Elephants, Red Panda, Malaysian Gaur, the Serow, the Squirrel Monkey, the Molurus Python, the Grey Wolf, the Mongolian Wild Horse, the Green Tree Python, the Giraffe, the Blue-and-yellow Macaw and also the Indochinese Tiger as well as the Malayan Tiger[8][9][10]
Malacca Zoo is now a famous attraction in Malacca and are listed in many official tourism websites.[11] Now, it is visited annually by 400,000 visitors; averaging 1093 visitors a day.[2] Although, in 2007, the zoo was visited by 619,194 visitors with an average of 1619 visitors per day; the highest number since it was opened. In that year, the zoo collected as much as RM 3.99 million (USD 886,666); collecting a gain of RM 130,000.[4] It also maintains a healthy, cool green background by planting exotic and rare plants while labeling them. This can potentially cool the zoo in very hot days and symbolically mimics the rainforest. It also has a tram facility to help its visitors get from one place to another with the ticket prices as low as RM 2.00. In addition to that, it also has eating facilities at an A&W restaurant and a cafeteria near the watch tower at the Mini Safari.
The zoo is planning some programmes to ensure the survival of some endangered species. Some of them are captive breeding.
Since the Malayan Tiger (Panthera Tigris Malayenis) was found as a tiger sub-species, the zoo had raised over 40 tiger cubs and sent them to various types of places such as the United States. Two of them was Mek Degong and its mate Awang Relak; Malayan Tigers that were sent to San Diego Zoo in 2004.[12][13] Besides that, it is also been used as a captured animal sanctuary for a temporary time until it is sent locally or abroad.[5]
Some other attractions at the zoo includes:
The Zoo is located in the town of Ayer Keroh besides the Lebuh Ayer Keroh at the entrance of Melaka; 13 Kilometres from Malacca Town. It neighbors with the Ayer Keroh Crocodile Farm, Melaka International Trade Center, Kolej Yayasan Saad, Melaka Manipal Medical College. From the highway, it has a noticeable gate in the Minangkabau design.
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