5 July 2014
The ostriches are almost bald and without feathers, the macaques delirious in a barren cage, the crocodiles stuffed in tiny and filthy concrete enclosures, and the otters squeaking to visitors for food.
Welcome to the Sabah Crocodile Adventure Land, a zoo located near Sandakan.
Friends of the Orangutans, an animal rights group, which visited the zoo, condemned the place as the “most horrible zoo” in Malaysia.
“We are shocked and disgusted to find the animals kept in abusive conditions,” said Jennifer Yeap of Malaysian Friends of the Animals.
She criticised the Sabah Wildlife Department and Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment for turning a blind eye to the cruelty that takes place daily at the zoo.
“It appears the plight of the animals at this zoo has been ignored by the wildlife department and the ministry for too long,” she said.
“We demand the department and the ministry confiscate the animals, as this zoo clearly doesn’t care about their welfare.
“The crocodiles must also be moved to bigger and more suitable enclosures with injured and sick animals, treated by a veterinarian immediately.”
“We believe this zoo is the worst in Malaysia,” she added.
Director of Friends of the Orangutans, Upreshpal Singh said the zoo is in a dreadful condition.
“It is a shame this zoo is allowed to operate freely and continue putting the animals through daily hell,” he said.
He added action must be taken against the zoo owner. The Sarawak Wildfire Department too must explain why it has done absolutely nothing to stop this unspeakable cruelty from persisting.
“The crocodile show is abusive and must be stopped. The reptiles are prodded with sticks and forced to follow the commands of the handlers for the amusement of zoo visitors,” said Upreshpal.
