TAIPING (Bernama): A virtual visit to the Taiping Zoo & Night Safari this morning (July 4) might have provided some respite for those wishing to visit this tourist attraction but could not do so during the current movement restrictions.

       The Facebook Live and Instagram sessions that provided a free visit to the zoo starting at 10am and featuring its estuarine crocodiles received an encouraging response from social media users.

       Taiping Zoo & Night Safari veterinary officer Dr Muhammad Ridzuan Affendi explained that during the visit that there were six estuarine crocodiles placed in a large area to facilitate mating and sunning.

       "The male crocodiles weigh between 450kg and 600kg and are 6.3m long while the females weigh 200kg to 300kg and are about three metres in length.

       "This reptile has a life span of up to 70 years and produces five to seven eggs at a time, while the incubation period is 90 days,” he said.

       The virtual programme was initiated by the zoo as it has been affected by the closure of tourism activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic while before that, it had been drawing tourists every weekend and during public holidays.

       However, the video stopped suddenly after about 15mins due to a technical glitch although netizens were excited to watch the reptile that is facing extinction due to hunting for its skin.

       Opened in 1961, the 14-hectare Taiping Zoo is the oldest in the country and has over 1,300 animals from 180 species.- Bernama