THE third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has left Zoo Negara in dire financial straits.

Its zoology, veterinary and giant panda conservation centre director Dr Mat Naim Ramli said today the zoo only has enough emergency funds to last three months.

He said the zoo’s closure since the conditional movement control order (CMCO) was imposed has made it difficult to meet operating costs, which total about RM1 million per month.

He said wages cost RM400,000, food (RM350,000) and utilities (RM180,000).

He said while revenue picked up during the recovery MCO and Zoo Negara made RM450,000 in June, July (RM1 million), August (RM1.3 million) and September (RM850,000), it only saw RM150,000 in takings last month.

Recently, Islamic preacher Ebit Lew answered its call for aid and donated 200kg of meat and 500kg of fruit and vegetables to feed Zoo Negara’s animals.

Mat Naim said that in the early stages of the MCO, Zoo Negara was able to pay for the upkeep of 5,137 animals through the Adopt an Animal programme.

He said RM1.3 million was also given by the government in April, but was only able to cover operating expenses for a month, with RM689,000 used to pay for panda insurance and the rest going for animal food and medical costs.

He said the government helped many zoos during the first wave of Covid-19, “but we have not received any assistance since the CMCO started on October 14”.

“Maybe the government is still finding the best way to help zoos manage their high operating costs.”

Mat Naim said donations are welcome and appreciated, and more information on how to help can be found on the zoo’s website. – Bernama, November 17, 2020.