Johor Zoo beats the heat with blood ice cubes and fruit popsicles for its animal residents

JOHOR BAHRU – With the scor­­­ching heatwave, Johor Zoo has inten­si­fied health checks and imp­le­men­ted measures to protect the animals, which includes creative feeding, says a state executive councillor.

Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Jafni Shukor said the zoo focused on ensuring water sources are clean and sufficient, including for animals that rely on water to cool off, such as the Mala­yan tapir, tiger, hippopotamus and crocodile.

“Zookeepers are constantly moni­toring and refilling pools to ensure the animals have access to sufficient water. It is a crucial step in helping wildlife regulate their body temperature during the extreme weather,” he said when contacted.

The Bukit Permai assemblyman also said Johor Zoo has introduced creative feeding enrichments to help animals adapt to the hot conditions.

He said carnivores are being provided with blood ice cubes while fruit eating species enjoy fruit popsicles made by the zookeepers.

“These treats help the animals at the zoo stay cool while keeping them mentally stimulated in their enclosures,” Mr Jafni said.

He noted that health monitoring has been intensified with veterinarians and zoologists conduc­ting regular checks on the animals to ensure their well-being.

He said this is made with the support of the Johor Veterinary Department and the state Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).

“Zookeepers are the front-liners in ensuring the animals’ welfare. With the support of veterinary experts and relevant agencies, we are doing everything necessary to maintain the highest standards of care,” he said.

Separately, Mr Jafni said that he recently carried out a working visit to Johor Zoo to inspect the ongoing second phase development plan for the 97-year-old zoo, which began earlier in May.

He said the upgrades were part of a broader vision to position the zoo as a flagship tourism destination ahead of Visit Johor