Zoo animals given new diet

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Although a number of zoos in the country have been forced cut food rations for animals under their care, the management of Medan Zoo have announced that their exhibits have continued to get their usual portions.

"We have not reduced rations, we've just changed the menu," Dop Nainggolan of the company which runs the zoo, told Antara on Monday.

He denied reports that animals were thinner because of the changes.

He said that monkeys were now fed bananas instead of apples and that tigers, which formerly received meat four times a week and chicken thrice, now had their usual menu reversed.

Dop said ticket revenue during the Idul Fitri holidays brought in enough money to cover operating cost for a year. The zoo grossed revenue of Rp 233.6 million from 103,043 visitors between Jan. 19 and Jan. 26 this year. An average week's earnings reach Rp 10 million at the most, he added.