Introducing Exotic Animals in Malaysian Facilities

[Toki]

Hello everyone!

I'm Toki, a zoo enthusiast based in Malaysia.

Recently, I’ve visited many zoos across Peninsular Malaysia. Some of them are places that even Malaysian zoo fans might not have heard of. In those visits, I had the chance to see species that were previously not confirmed to be kept in Malaysia.

So, I decided to make this thread to introduce some exotic or rare species that are kept in Malaysian zoos. I started this thread to document and share my findings. Updates will be occasional, but feel free to check in whenever you like!

All the zoos I visited and the species I confirmed are also recorded on Zootierliste.

The information I share here is based on my own visits, zoo signage, conversations with staff, and official social media posts. I do my best to be accurate, but I can’t guarantee that everything is 100% correct. Thanks for understanding!

 

[Toki]

Species #1
Javan Ferret Badger (Melogale orientalis)

I'll start with a species that is quite rare in zoos around the world.
Zootierliste lists 4 zoos around the world, but only 2 of them might have them on regular exhibit today.

Confirmed Malaysian Holdings: 1
Machinchang PetLand Langkawi (Langkawi Island, Kedah State)
Machinchang Petland Langkawi | Official Website for Langkawi Cable Car
Holding Information:1,0,0 Young Male (Not Signed)
Last Confirmed Date: September 2024

The animal was held in an unsigned enclosure. Since the zoo had a lot of empty exhibits, I actually missed the species when I first went around the zoo.

Here are some photos:


Here is my visit report:
Machinchang PetLand Langkawi Species List (September 15, 2024)

The zoo has a small but interesting collection of animals, including those that can probably be seen nowhere else in Malaysia. Howver, it faces a lot of challenges when it comes to animal welfare.

Please feel free to leave any comments!

Next species>>>
Dingo (Canis lupus f. dingo)

 

[Toki]

Species #2
Dingo (Canis lupus f. dingo)

Here goes the second species!
Dingos are extremely rare in Asian zoos, although they are relatively common in Western zoos.
Zootierliete lists only 1 zoo as "current holdings" of this species in Asia, and it is in Malaysia!

Confirmed Peninsular Malaysia Holdings: 1
Langkawi Nature Park (Langkawi Island, Kedah State)
Welcome to LANGKAWI NATURE PARK
Holding Information:1,1,0 (Signed)
Last Confirmed Date: September 2024

This park was formally a large park, with a big animal collection including Chimpanzees, Malayan Tigers, Asian Alephants, Malayan Sunbears, Brown Bear, Lynx, and many more. The park opened in 2018, but soon closed due to covid in 2020. The park re-opened in December 2023, with about 1/3of the zoo. The remaining 2/3 is abandoned, with future renovation plans.

Dingos are held in the "Predator Castle" are of the zoo, along with lion, caracal, ocelot, and other mammals.
Here is the species list as of September 2024:
Langkawi Nature Park Species List (September 15, 2024) [Langkawi Nature Park]

The enclosure is not big but fairly vegetated, has natural light, and animals had free access to backyard. Two animals are held here, and staff members told me they are a pair and considering breeding in the future.

Here are photos:


Please feel free to leave any comments!

Next species>>>

Indochinese ground squirrel (Menetes berdmorei)

 

[Toki]

Species #3
Berdmore's Ground Squirrel (Menetes berdmorei)

Here come the rarest species on my list!
This species of squirrel seems to be extremely rare in captivity, and Zootierliete lists only 1 zoo in the world as "current holdings".
There are probably other facilities that holds them, but it's interesting that the only recognized holding is in Malaysia, out of its native range!

Confirmed Peninsular Malaysia Holdings: 1
Kulim Bird Park (Kedah State)
Kulim Bird Park - New | Kulim
Holding Information:1,1,0 (Signed)
Last Confirmed Date: April 2025

This is a small private road size zoo. This kind of zoos are quite common in Malaysia, usually known as "Mini Zoo" or "Petting Zoo".

Here is the species list of the zoo:
Kulim Bird Park Species List (August 17, 2024)

Berdmore's Ground Squirrels are held in a simple cage with a nesting box and mass of dry hay. The animals are usually not very visible to visitors.

Two animals are held here, and staff members told me they are a pair that's trying to breed. I have seen mating and nesting activities in the past few months, but looks like it has not succeeded.

Here are photos:



I wasn't sure how this rare species ended up at a small private zoo, but it seems that a local pet shop had this species in 2023, which could be related to the origins of the animals.
Menetes Berdmorei Berdmore's Ground Squirrel 条纹松鼠 New squirrel species arrived, visit us to grab it while stock last Exotic Pets Malaysia 1-G-12 Sri... | By Exotic Pets Malaysia | Facebook

Please feel free to leave any comments!

Next species>>>

Storm's stork (Ciconia stormi)

 

[Toki]

Species #4
Storm's stork (Ciconia stormi)

This stork is extremely rare in both wild and captivity.

Confirmed Peninsular Malaysia Holdings: 1
Zoo Negara (Selangor State)

Holding Information:0,0,1 (Not Signed)
Last Confirmed Date: March 2025

Here is a photo of the animal:


The bird is in an aviary along with ducks, and is usually perching at the top of the tree.
There are no obvious signs of the species, making visitors easy to miss this species if they did not search well for this bird.

Please feel free to leave any comments!

Next species>>>

Pinon's Imperial-pigeon (Ducula pinon)

 

[Toki]

Species #5
Pinon's Imperial-pigeon (Ducula pinon)

This species is rarely held in captivity. Zootierliste lists 2 holdings in Europe and 5 holdings in Southeast Asia.

Confirmed Peninsular Malaysia Holdings: 1
99 Wonderland Park (Kuala Lumpur)

Holding Information:0,0,1? (Not Signed)
Last Confirmed Date: March 2025

Here are photos:


Aviary


Inside of aviary


This zoo is a "night only" zoo, and opens at 5 PM every day. This makes visitors difficult to see the bird under good light conditions, unless you skip the other part of the zoo and head directly to this aviary, which is located at the most far place from the entrance.

The animal is held in an aviary along with other signed avian species, but this species is not signed for some reason. When I write posts like this, I can’t help but feel it’s a shame that a lot of rare species in Malaysian zoos aren’t really highlighted to visitors. They are often not signed, and don't have proper promotion to draw attention to them.

Please feel free to leave any comments!

Next species>>>

Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas)

 

[Toki]

Species #6
Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas)

This is a large species of catfish, which used to be banned on trade until a few years ago. Captive-bred animals are found in animal trade today, but is still rare in captivity. Zootierliste lists 13 holdings around the world, including one in Malaysia.

Confirmed Peninsular Malaysia Holdings: 1
Hussin Fauzi Farm & Mini Zoo (Selangor State)
*Not to be confused with "Hussin Fauzi Farm" in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Holding Information:0,0,8? (Signed)
Last Confirmed Date: December 2024

Here are photos:


The animal is held in an open tank near the entrance of the zoo.

Although this is the only zoo I found this species in Malaysia so far, I actually fished this species in a private fishing facility near Kuala Lumpur.



This species was in a fishing lake along with Redtail catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus), Pacu (Colossoma macropomum) and other large fishes, and visitors could fish and release into the lake. According to the staff members of this fishing resort, Mekong giant catfish is uncommon but available in private hands in Malaysia.

Please feel free to leave any comments!

Next species>>>

Asian giant toad (Phrynoidis asper)

 

[Toki]

Species #7
Asian giant toad (Phrynoidis asper)
Giant river toad (Phrynoidis juxtasper)

These are two large species of toads native to Southeast Asia. The species seem to be confused and mixed up, so I'm introducing both species at once. Zootierliste lists 17 holdings around the world, including 4 in Malaysia.

Confirmed Peninsular Malaysia Holdings: 4

Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm (Penang State)
Holding Information:0,0,2? (Signed Phrynoidis asper)
Last Confirmed Date: March 2025


Zoo in Mall (Selangor State)
Holding Information:0,0,1 (Signed ”Giant Toad”)
Last Confirmed Date: March 2025


Zoo Negara (Selangor State)
Holding Information:0,0,4? (Signed Phrynoidis asper)
Last Confirmed Date: March 2025


Melaka Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary (Melaka State)
Holding Information:0,0,2? (Signed Phrynoidis juxtasper)
Last Confirmed Date: July 2024


Please feel free to leave any comments!

Next species>>>

Sumatran serow (Capricornis sumatraensis)