PETALING JAYA: Visitors queued at the ticket counter as early as 7am when Zoo Negara reopened after it was closed for more than four months.

       Zoo Negara deputy president Rosly@Rahmat Amat Lana said that the number of visitors on the first day of the reopening yesterday was way beyond expectations.

       “We targeted only between 500 and 1,000 visitors for the first day of operations.

       “However, as of 3pm, we had already received more than 1,000 visitors,” he said.

       Rosly added that the high number of visitors could also be due to the 20% discount on tickets purchased yesterday, on top of special offers for the first 500 visitors.

       Zoo Negara, which opens daily from 8am to 5pm, resumed its operations following the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob that various tourist attractions are allowed to reopen Oct 1.

       Rosly said among the most popular attractions at the zoo were the rare King Cheetah, a four-month old baby panda and lemurs.

       To ensure visitors’ safety during their visits, Zoo Negara has placed its staff around its premises to make sure the visitors comply with the guidelines as stipulated by the National Security Council.

       “To show our utmost commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, we placed most of our staff on ground to help ensure standard operating procedures are followed,” he said.

       During the closure of the attraction, the zoo organised free virtual tours for the public every week.

       Software engineer Muhamad Asyraf Muhamad Adnan said that once he heard the news that the zoo will be reopened yesterday, he quickly purchased tickets online for his family.

       He decided to buy the tickets online because he wanted to cut down the waiting time at the counter.

       “My family and I have been planning to visit the zoo even way before the movement control order.

       “I brought my wife and our children,” said Asyraf, 39.

       Asyraf said even with the large crowd yesterday, the zoo staff made their visit comfortable and safe.

       “As for my family, we will avoid crowded attractions and visit other exhibits before returning to the intended destination,” he said, adding that the panda and crocodile feeding session were among the hottest attractions.

       Asyraf added that the public should not feel insecure as the zoo management is doing its best to make sure the visitors follow the stringent rules.

       “The zoo is big enough and there is a lot of space for everyone. So, visitors should not be worried,” he said.