Ragunan zoo struggles to maintain its popularity<\/p>\n
Text and photo by Bambang Parlupi<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Ragunan zoo in South Jakarta is a popular place
\nto visit, particularly during holidays.<\/p>\n
Few know, however, the zoo, which is now located near Pasar
\nMinggu area, was formerly located in Cikini, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
According to its history, Taman Margasatwa Ragunan, or Ragunan
\nWildlife Reserve, was first set up by a Dutch flora and fauna
\nlovers organization.<\/p>\n
The organization, the Vereneging Plantenen Dierentuin at
\nBatavia, set up the park on a 10-hectare plot of land in Jl.
\nCikini Raya 2, South Jakarta in 1864.<\/p>\n
The park, Plantenen Dierentuin, was moved to the present
\nlocation in 1964 to accommodate the city's development plan.<\/p>\n
In the new location, the park was given a 10-hectare plot of
\nland, but now it occupies 135 hectares of land.<\/p>\n
"Basically, the park is intended as a place to conserve flora
\nand fauna outside their habitat, or better known as ex-situ
\nconservation," said the park's promotional staff Dedi Ruswandi.<\/p>\n
At present, the zoo, some 20 kilometers away from the city
\ncenter, has a collection of 277 species of about 3,200 animals,
\nincluding rare and endangered animals like orangutans (Pongo
\npygmaeus), komodo dragons (Varamus komodoensis) and Sumatra
\ntigers (Panthera tigris). There are also rare birds like birds of
\nparadise and 142 other species coming from different regions.<\/p>\n
This year, the park will get a new attraction with the arrival
\nof four male African gorillas in October, which will certainly
\nlure more visitors to the zoo.<\/p>\n
The zoo's director Ismunanto earlier said that the gorillas
\nwere born in the Howletts Port Lympne Wildlife Park in England
\nand are on loan to the zoo for a period of a year. The plan
\nbecame a reality with the assistance given by a wildlife lover,
\nthe late Mrs. Puck Schmutzer and the Gibbon Foundation.<\/p>\n
Now, the zoo is busy preparing a 10-hectare enclosure, which
\nwas described by the director as the largest and most luxurious
\none in the world, for the new guests.<\/p>\n
"Apart from animals, we also collect various plants, including
\nmedicinal ones," said Dedi.<\/p>\n
According to the park's data, there are now 968 plant species
\nmade up of 47,499 trees.<\/p>\n
The park has long been known as one of the city's tourist
\nspots, which receives lots of visitors during weekends. Entrance
\ntickets are affordable. It charges an admission fee of Rp 3,000
\nfor adults and Rp 2,000 for children. A discount of 25 percent is
\noffered to visitors coming in groups.<\/p>\n
"The largest number of visitors recorded was during the Idul
\nFitri holidays. At least 750,000 people thronged the park during
\nthe celebrations last year," Dedi said. During the period between
\n1999 and 2001, the park has been visited by over 3.1 million
\npeople.<\/p>\n
Some people, however, disturb the animals by giving them food
\ndespite the presence of signs warning them not to do so.<\/p>\n
"Any food given to the animals should be that recommended by
\nthe park's officials," said Maman of the park's nursery division.<\/p>\n
Wrong food, he said, poses serious risks, such as causing
\nillness.<\/p>\n
The park also faced problems from visitors who throw trash or
\ncarelessly trample neatly arranged areas.<\/p>\n
At present, the park is developing partnerships with members
\nof the public, including individuals, groups and institutions, to
\nhelp in its maintenance while at the same time, raising their
\nawareness to help conserve flora, fauna and the park.<\/p>\n
These efforts, according to Dedi, are aimed at not making the
\npark simply a recreation place. Instead, there should be a strong
\nconnection, a sense of belonging, between members of the society
\nand the park, he added.<\/p>\n
People's concern, he said, could be manifested in various
\nforms, such as services, time and money.<\/p>\n
"For instance, people can take part in the renovation of
\nenclosures, maintenance of plants and management of park trash."<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ragunan-zoo-struggles-to-maintain-its-popularity-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}