Surat Khabar Lama...Opss!!

- nation  - New Habitat For Animals By ONG YEE TING The Star Online Friday December 28, 2007 Link to original article ENDANGERED animals, reptiles and orchids from the Bukit Jambul Orchid, Hibiscus and Reptile Farm in Penang will be sent to the 2ha Flora and Fauna Village at the Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve.   State Tourism Development and Environment Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said the state had allocated RM700,000 for this new tourism product.  揟he project started early this year and is expected to be ready by March, he said. The project is a joint venture between the state Forestry Department and the company operating the farm.   The farm was closed down about six months ago after Penang Development Corporation (PDC) took back the land.  Careful study: Teng (right) and Samsudin inspecting the tiger den at the Flora and Fauna Village. Teng said Bukit Jambul was no more suitable for the animals and reptiles because the area was now surrounded by housing projects.   揊ollowing the Prime Minister's (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) suggestion to fully utilise the Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve, we decided to work together with the company to set up the new village there, he said.  Besides other exhibits, the village will have two tigers, arapaima, an albino cobra, two giant tortoises, snakes, lizards and spiders.  There will also be a big collection of orchids, including more than 2,000 Tiger Orchids.   Teng said the project was planned to include all the existing nature elements.  揘ot a single tree was felled to make way for the construction. All we did was to modify the place and include the necessary facilities for the exhibits and the visitors, he told a press conference after visiting the site yesterday.   State Forestry director Samsudin Salleh said they had visited the Taiping Zoo to study their tiger den in order to build one with maximum security measures.   揟he enclosure will be separated from the visitors by a 4.6m deep and 3m wide 'river', he said.  Teng said the village would compliment the Forestry Museum which would also undergo a RM600,000 upgrading next year.  揟he museum will have a xylorium with a big collection of woods from all over the world, he said.  Bukit Jambul Orchid, Hibiscus and Reptile Farm director Michael Ooi said entrance fees would be fixed at RM5 for MyKad holders, RM2 for student and RM10 for others. Admission is free for senior and handicapped citizens.  揟he price will be very affordable as our aim of setting the village is also to help conserve the endangered species, he said.