Extra fee to see pandas

PETALING JAYA: Visitors to Zoo Negara may have to fork out extra on top of the entrance fees of RM30 to see the giant pandas which are expected to arrive end of this month.
"There would be an additional charge for people to enter the Giant Panda Conservation and Exhibition Centre to see the animals," said Zoo Negara deputy director Dr Muhammad Danial Felix.
"The joint committee of Zoo Negara and Department of Wildlife and National Parks officials has not finalised the amount yet, but will do so once the pandas arrive. Besides getting to see this endangered animal, visitors would also be given educational facts about them by zoo staff," he added.
It is estimated that Zoo Negara will spend some RM1.5 million per year to care for the pair of giant pandas.
The amount includes maintenance, food, as well as the training that zoo staff would have to undergo to care for the pandas.
Malaysia will also be contributing US$1 million (RM3.29 million) annually to China for the next 10 years, which will go toward the Giant Panda Conservation Fund and facilitate research by both Malaysia and China.
"Two experts from China will be coming together with the pandas, a veterinarian and a zoo-keeper. They will be staying here and working together with our own staff in monitoring and getting the pandas to acclimatise to the new environment," said Muhammad Danial.
He said the pandas, Fu Wa (male) and Feng Yi (female), would be arriving at the KL International Airport where all necessary facilities will be provided free by MAS Kargo.
The pandas will be quarantined for a month before they are ready for the public.
The RM25 million Giant Panda Conservation and Exhibition Centre at Zoo Negara features three main exhibition areas, which will be kept at below 24°C to simulate their natural habitat.