Devilfish's Asian Adventure
- Thread starter devilfish
- Start date
devilfish
Well-Known Member
Taiping Zoo and Night Safari
What a day! I now consider Singaporean transport to be near-perfect.
I had considered hiring a car for today but was advised against it. So I got to the bus station this morning (at 8am) for the first bus to Taiping at 8.30. This is online and I was in the final stages of booking it last night on the company's website. It turned out their first bus was actually at 11, but another company had a 9.30 bus which took only 3 hours. To cut a long story short, transport in the morning was a mess. I thought I'd ask on arrival about the evening buses and it's lucky I did. The buses I had planned to use as my options were cancelled, and I bought the last ticket for the last bus at 11, arriving in kl at 3am. Not ideal timing but it meant I'd be able to go to the night safari.
The zoo itself was brilliant. Some great enclosures, very clever exhibits, nice animals, good signage and it was clean. There will always be some things I didn't like but from what I've seen, Taiping is Malaysia's best. Mixed enclosures included a forest exhibit with civets, leopard cats, muntjac, binturong and two porcupine species. Another houses otters, terrapins, mynahs, mousedeer, blue-winged pittas, green peafowl and two bat species. During the day I found no trace of the linsang, banded civets, dorcopsis, cassowary or flat-headed cat. Realistically the dorcopsis and cassowary were unlikely to still be alive, but the other three were on all signage. It looked like the civet enclosure was being re-done (though I don't know if they're still around); Ii did catch the last red hartebeest though. lost hope for the linsang when I found the sign in a skip, and luckily the flat-headed cat showed at night just before I left the enclosure. Seemingly very shy, it looks like you may need to stand still for five minutes to stand a chance of seeing it. Still, my first flat-headed cat.
I thought the night zoo was very well done. It's just the normal zoo with floodlights and a few changes, e.g. orangutans and chimpanzees are moved indoors while leopard cats and servals get to use their enclosures.
What a day! I now consider Singaporean transport to be near-perfect.
I had considered hiring a car for today but was advised against it. So I got to the bus station this morning (at 8am) for the first bus to Taiping at 8.30. This is online and I was in the final stages of booking it last night on the company's website. It turned out their first bus was actually at 11, but another company had a 9.30 bus which took only 3 hours. To cut a long story short, transport in the morning was a mess. I thought I'd ask on arrival about the evening buses and it's lucky I did. The buses I had planned to use as my options were cancelled, and I bought the last ticket for the last bus at 11, arriving in kl at 3am. Not ideal timing but it meant I'd be able to go to the night safari.
The zoo itself was brilliant. Some great enclosures, very clever exhibits, nice animals, good signage and it was clean. There will always be some things I didn't like but from what I've seen, Taiping is Malaysia's best. Mixed enclosures included a forest exhibit with civets, leopard cats, muntjac, binturong and two porcupine species. Another houses otters, terrapins, mynahs, mousedeer, blue-winged pittas, green peafowl and two bat species. During the day I found no trace of the linsang, banded civets, dorcopsis, cassowary or flat-headed cat. Realistically the dorcopsis and cassowary were unlikely to still be alive, but the other three were on all signage. It looked like the civet enclosure was being re-done (though I don't know if they're still around); Ii did catch the last red hartebeest though. lost hope for the linsang when I found the sign in a skip, and luckily the flat-headed cat showed at night just before I left the enclosure. Seemingly very shy, it looks like you may need to stand still for five minutes to stand a chance of seeing it. Still, my first flat-headed cat.
I thought the night zoo was very well done. It's just the normal zoo with floodlights and a few changes, e.g. orangutans and chimpanzees are moved indoors while leopard cats and servals get to use their enclosures.
devilfish
Well-Known Member
Aquaria KLCC
Aquaria KLCC was nice. From the aquarium map it seemed smaller than I had expected, but inside it was decent. Some very nice animals. Some nice theming, and some animals could do with more space (like the reptiles in 'shoebox vivaria' -i.e. small glass box vivs), and I couldn't understand some of the naming choices (coypu = 'water rat'). The main tank isn't very deep or very well labelled, but the collection is nice all the same.
Aquaria KLCC was nice. From the aquarium map it seemed smaller than I had expected, but inside it was decent. Some very nice animals. Some nice theming, and some animals could do with more space (like the reptiles in 'shoebox vivaria' -i.e. small glass box vivs), and I couldn't understand some of the naming choices (coypu = 'water rat'). The main tank isn't very deep or very well labelled, but the collection is nice all the same.
devilfish
Well-Known Member
Blue Coral Aquarium
Blue coral aquarium is another small, quiet aquarium. I first heard about it in the morning when an educator at Aquaria KLCC told me that the company which operates Melaka's coral wonderland had opened a small aquarium in KL; this wasn't quite true, but a new aquarium had been opened. Also at the base of KL tower, it's quite prominent within the complex but I've seen no publicity at all in the rest of the city. The aquarium is very nice. Only 3 halls, but a nice selection of fish and good presentation make it well worth a visit.
Blue coral aquarium is another small, quiet aquarium. I first heard about it in the morning when an educator at Aquaria KLCC told me that the company which operates Melaka's coral wonderland had opened a small aquarium in KL; this wasn't quite true, but a new aquarium had been opened. Also at the base of KL tower, it's quite prominent within the complex but I've seen no publicity at all in the rest of the city. The aquarium is very nice. Only 3 halls, but a nice selection of fish and good presentation make it well worth a visit.
Last edited:
devilfish
Well-Known Member
KL tower animal zone
KL tower animal zone is a small attraction mostly geared for photo opportunities with snakes and parrots, located at the base of the KL tower. There is a series of aviaries, cages and vivaria inside which house various snakes, spiders, birds and small mammals. The collection boasts Malaysia's only two-headed turtle (a[?] red-eared slider), and plenty of other mutants. Most enclosures were quite small and several were inadequate. If it were closer to a road I'd consider it a roadside zoo.
KL tower animal zone is a small attraction mostly geared for photo opportunities with snakes and parrots, located at the base of the KL tower. There is a series of aviaries, cages and vivaria inside which house various snakes, spiders, birds and small mammals. The collection boasts Malaysia's only two-headed turtle (a[?] red-eared slider), and plenty of other mutants. Most enclosures were quite small and several were inadequate. If it were closer to a road I'd consider it a roadside zoo.
Last edited:
zooboy28
Well-Known Member
I couldn't really help myself yesterday. I got here so early, there was no power (and hence no wifi to kill time) and it was too hot for me to nap, so I hired a tuk tuk for the day and went to Banteay Srey butterfly farm, the ACCB, and two impressive temples.
That sounds cool. How much does it cost to hire a tuk tuk for a day?
devilfish
Well-Known Member
They charged me $25 (USD), which was a lot more than I expected. I think I could have got it for less but the guy waited for ages and it was a long day, so I thought it wasn't too bad.
devilfish
Well-Known Member
Banteay Srey butterfly centre
Banteay Srey butterfly centre is a small complex on the way to Banteay Srey temple, about 20 km from Siem Reap. The main free-flight area is actually quite big (though I doubt the claims of being ' Southeast Asia's largest'). Hosting only native species of butterfly, the centre has a significant breeding programme, with a caterpillar room and plant nursery displaying their work. The staff seem to take a real interest in educating locals, and themselves. An interesting stop on the way to Banteay Srey or the ACCB.
Banteay Srey butterfly centre is a small complex on the way to Banteay Srey temple, about 20 km from Siem Reap. The main free-flight area is actually quite big (though I doubt the claims of being ' Southeast Asia's largest'). Hosting only native species of butterfly, the centre has a significant breeding programme, with a caterpillar room and plant nursery displaying their work. The staff seem to take a real interest in educating locals, and themselves. An interesting stop on the way to Banteay Srey or the ACCB.
devilfish
Well-Known Member
ACCB
The ACCB (Angkor Centre for conservation of biodiversity) is a brilliant little place about 55km from Siem Reap. I'd been looking forward to visiting for years and I was not disappointed at all. The centre is generally closed to the public but they offer six guided tours a week.
The centre is home to a number of rescued native animals, with active breeding programmes for several species.
The collection's gem at the moment is a single giant ibis; the only captive member of this rare species. I was initially told that he wouldn't be seen on the tour, and the guide glossed over the area where I found his aviary, but it was very nice to get a good look at this fascinating creature.
The ACCB (Angkor Centre for conservation of biodiversity) is a brilliant little place about 55km from Siem Reap. I'd been looking forward to visiting for years and I was not disappointed at all. The centre is generally closed to the public but they offer six guided tours a week.
The centre is home to a number of rescued native animals, with active breeding programmes for several species.
The collection's gem at the moment is a single giant ibis; the only captive member of this rare species. I was initially told that he wouldn't be seen on the tour, and the guide glossed over the area where I found his aviary, but it was very nice to get a good look at this fascinating creature.
devilfish
Well-Known Member
Floating crocodile farms
Today I took a trip to Tonle Sap lake. We expected to visit the floating village but instead we were driven round a number of different floating buildings nearby. Among them were three floating shops with fish and crocodile 'farms'. Consisting in each case of two pens, one for (hybrid) crocodiles, and another shallow pool for catfish. There were also other tanks (often empty), housing other local species, as well as a photo prop (Burmese python or baby crocodile - to be held by the tail).
Odd places, and you only need to visit one to get a taste of what is going on.
The water was very low (dry season), which meant we were stuck in the boat several times, and frequently soaked by other struggling barges.
Today I took a trip to Tonle Sap lake. We expected to visit the floating village but instead we were driven round a number of different floating buildings nearby. Among them were three floating shops with fish and crocodile 'farms'. Consisting in each case of two pens, one for (hybrid) crocodiles, and another shallow pool for catfish. There were also other tanks (often empty), housing other local species, as well as a photo prop (Burmese python or baby crocodile - to be held by the tail).
Odd places, and you only need to visit one to get a taste of what is going on.
The water was very low (dry season), which meant we were stuck in the boat several times, and frequently soaked by other struggling barges.
The ACCB (Angkor Centre for conservation of biodiversity) is a brilliant little place about 55km from Siem Reap. I'd been looking forward to visiting for years and I was not disappointed at all. The centre is generally closed to the public but they offer six guided tours a week.
The centre is home to a number of rescued native animals, with active breeding programmes for several species.
The collection's gem at the moment is a single giant ibis; the only captive member of this rare species. I was initially told that he wouldn't be seen on the tour, and the guide glossed over the area where I found his aviary, but it was very nice to get a good look at this fascinating creature.
Hi devilfish, I've never heard of this place before and I'm quite interested to know what other hidden gems this place has? Anything spectacular in the way of small mammals?
And it's good to see that you're stepping well off "the beaten track" on this trip so to speak!
devilfish
Well-Known Member
Thanks!
They tend to release most of the animals they receive as soon as possible, so they have had a massive number of mammals through their doors in the past. The reptile collection is outstanding (but they're difficult to see) - including native water snake species, snail-eating turtles, and a large breeding programme for elongated and box turtles. The bird collection includes a pair of greater adjutants, with a breeding programme for lesser adjutants holding 40-50 birds off-show. There's also a significant breeding programme for green peafowl. They also have a grey-headed fish eagle in a large mixed aviary (with 5 Brahminy kites, a Changeable hawk eagle and 3 crested serpent eagles).
Mammals-wise, they keep a pangolin in a brand new complex, they have a breeding group of silvered langurs (T.germaini), a pair of leopard cats whose offspring were recently released into the wild, pileated gibbons, a mixed group of long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques and slow lorises (not on the tour).
I've heared Angkor Centre for conservation of biodiversity breed succesfull with the Lesser Adjutants, did you hear something about more recent breeding-results with this species ? Thanks and enjoy your trip !
devilfish
Well-Known Member
That collection sounds pretty fantastic, a true hidden gem! Here's hoping you can stumble upon some more places like that!
Thanks! Me too.
My next big hope is for Phnom Tamao.
devilfish
Well-Known Member
I'm afraid I don't know recent details but I know they have had a lot of success. I recommend that anyone interested 'likes' their facebook page as they make interesting announcements. I remember a few months ago they announced lesser adjutants hatching.
Thanks! Me too.
My next big hope is for Phnom Tamao.
Phnom Tamao looks quite impressive, it's a place I've not long heard about as it recently featured in the press. Am I correct in thinking that it is also a guided tour only arrangement?
Also, are you planning a trip to the EPRC in the coming weeks? Or are there plans afoot for a trip to any of the main Indonesian collections?