Kajian Penandaarasan Bidang Tumpuan Utama Dalam Pembangunan Strategi Sebuah Zoo Di Malaysia (Benchmarking Study on Key Focus Area in Strategy Development of a Zoo in Malaysia)

Strategic management is very important in ensuring the continuity and sustainability of an organization, especially business organizations. Similarly, to ensure the survival of an organization such as a zoo which is largely of its financial resources depends on the sustainability of business operations. This article discusses about a study conducted to identify the key of focus areas in developing the best strategy for Zoo Negara, one of the zoo in Malaysia. A Benchmarking study was conducted to identify the key of focus areas and practices adopted by leading zoos from States of America, Australia, and Canada. A field study was also conducted at three zoos in Thailand to make a comparative and well-known focus area. The findings show that there are six main focus areas that need to be emphasized in ensuring Zoo Negaras performance. This study has practical implications for zoo management to develop appropriate strategies

EFFECTS OF PREFERENCE AND NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF LOCAL BAMBOO TOWARDS GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF CAPTIVE GIANT PANDAS (AILUROPODA MELANOLEUCA) IN ZOO NEGARA, MALAYSIA

Two captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) were observed for nutritional preferences over a period of seven months from 21st May until 31st December 2014 at the Zoo Negara Malaysia. Nutritional analyses were conducted on six local bamboo species which were fed to both pandas. It is evident in the present study that they prefer the culms of Dendrocalamus asper followed by culms of Bambusa vulgaris and bamboo leaves from Dendrocalamus asper, Bambusa vulgaris f. waminii and Thyrsostachys seamensis. Their preferences towards these local bamboo species correspond to the different nutrient values which contained high fibre in the culms and high protein and fat in the leaves. The overall feeding behaviour were well established and the growth performances were satisfactory suggesting that they have successfully adapted to the feeding regime. The pandas were observed to be in good health, active and alert with these bamboo diets throughout the study period

Preliminary study on the occurrence of intestinal parasites in Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) in Zoo Negara, Malaysia

A preliminary study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of intestinal parasites in the faeces of captive Malayan tapir in Zoo Negara, Malaysia. A total of 12 fresh faecal samples were collected from three different individuals and screened for eggs and larvae using the sedimentation technique. The results shows that Strongylussp. infection was the highest with 43%, followed by Strongyloides sp. and Fasciolasp. with 17% each, Balantidiumsp. 11%, Ascarissp. 9% and unidentified 3%. Fasciolasp. and Ascarissp. were found in samples obtained from one individual kept in a cage while Balantidiumsp. was found in the free-roaming individuals. Previous information on parasitic diseases in tapir waslargely derived from those found in the wild. This study highlights the first record on parasitic infection in captive tapir in Malaysia. In addition, due to pathogenic importance of the parasites to both animals and humans, the population should be closely monitored. Considering the endangered status of the Malayan tapir, further studies are neededto highlight this issue

Mycological isolation from animal enclosures and environments in National Wildlife Rescue Centre and National Zoo, Malaysia

It is important to provide a baseline of fungal composition in the captive wildlife environment to better understand their role in overall wildlife health. The objectives were to identify species of fungi existing within wildlife animal enclosures and their environment at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre (NWRC) and the National Zoo, Malaysia and to describe their medical and veterinary importance. Samples of air, wall or floor swab, enrichment swab and soil were taken from the animal enclosures, exercise yard and enrichments at NWRC and National Zoo respectively. All samples including those pre-treated samples were plated onto Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar (SDA). Numerous fungi were grown on all sampling SDA plates regardless by either single or multiple growth. Samples of air in both NWRC and National Zoo had the highest growth of Penicillium spp. with a prevalence of 31.2% and 83.7% respectively. Samples of swab from the wall, floor and enrichments were predominantly by Candida spp. (42.6%) in NWRC and Penicillium spp. (41.6%) in the National Zoo. Prevalence of multiple fungi isolated from the soil samples in NWRC were 57.9% and yeast species was the most common in National Zoo with a prevalence of 88.9%. Overall, 29 and 8 isolates were found in both samples from the NWRC and National Zoo with a predominant species of potential zoonotic fungi have been identified in both premises. The expected fungus Aspergillus spp. was not isolated in all samples in NWRC. Prevalent fungal species found in this study are known to cause disease in animals and humans as primary pathogen and also as opportunistic pathogens that may also cause infection. Thus, health safety precautions should be considered particularly in dealing with conservation of endangered wildlife species, along with personnel and public involvements

Data on diet and growth by giant panda in zoo Negara, Malaysia

In this data article we present the determinations of the diet preference and growth of a pair of the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca (David, 1869) from Zoo Negara Malaysia. Once considered as endangered, the captive giant pandas were given with nine species of local bamboo in separate indoor enclosures. We recorded data between May 25, 2014 and December 31, 2016 and analysed it based on food preference, the pattern toward food consumption and body weights using SPSS v25.0 (IBM, USA). Data on the bamboo preference, daily average bamboo provided and consumed, and factors predicting of body weight per individual are reported in this article. The data highlight correlation between panda growth (kg) to the part of bamboo consumed (kg) and exhibit the pattern of preferred part of food (i.e.: either the leaf, culm or shoots of bamboo variety) for panda consumptions. The food consumption toward the body weight was modelled using logistic regression analysis to help determine the pattern of food consumption and body weight of giant panda in the future and based on regression model 1, only consumed variable is significance to the model