Seri Kembangan zoo launches interactive education programmes for children

IN CONJUNCTION with its 11th anniversary, Farm In The City (FITC) zoo unveiled three new education programmes to bring nature closer to Malaysian children.

They were the Junior Farm Rangers Programme, Malaysia Kampung Culture Tour, and Kembara Sekolah.

The zoo in Seri Kembangan aims to cultivate an environmentally conscious generation through the programmes, which are themed “innovating education through nature”.

In the Junior Farm Rangers Programme, priced from RM68 to RM488, participants can gain real ranger experiences by interacting directly with animals.

FITC general manager Eve Foong said during the launch ceremony that this programme would mainly take place in FITC’s brand new education centre called the Ranger Outpost.

“Besides serving as the Junior Farm Rangers Clubhouse, the education centre also consists of a mini museum which displays animal parts such as bones, eggs, and feathers.

(From second left) Foong, Chua, Phoon and FITC rangers cutting the red ribbon. (Right) FITC junior rangers playing at a corner in the Ranger Outpost. — Photos: ART CHEN/The Star

“Visitors can also learn about wool processing here.

“The centre enables visitors to participate in various workshops too, such as batik-making, weaving, and kuih workshops,” she said.

The Malaysia Kampung Culture Tour, according to a statement by FITC, showcases Malaysian village culture through half-day or full-day zoo tours.

A half-day tour is priced at RM98 for adults and RM92 for children. It covers a guided farm tour and a workshop on either traditional delicacy or craft.

Full-day tours are priced at RM138 for adults and RM132 for children. This covers a guided farm tour, kampung games experience, and lunch.

As experienced by StarMetro, the tour allows visitors to get close to farm animals such as chickens, cows, goats and alpacas, as most of them are not kept in captivity.

FITC junior rangers playing at a corner in the Ranger Outpost.

In the meantime, the free-of-charge “Kembara Sekolah” activity aspires to bring small animals to the doorsteps of Selangor schools.

“We want to be proactive in raising schoolchildren’s awareness of the wonders of nature,” said Foong.

“Hence, “Kembara Sekolah” will be a great platform to ignite their passion for preserving nature.

“However, I also encourage schools from all over Malaysia to invite us and we will try our best to reach you,” she said, adding that the programme currently runs in Selangor only.

According to Foong, FITC is the first petting zoo in Malaysia to incorporate the station audio commentary feature, which provides voice explanations to visitors on the animals inside the zoo without the need for a tour guide.

“FITC is also the first petting zoo in Malaysia to have an interactive map to ease the visitors’ navigation,” she added.

Also present at the ceremony were Tourism Selangor industry development manager Chua Yee Ling, FITC chief executive officer Datuk Allan Phoon, and representatives from Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, the Wildlife and National Parks Department, and Sepang Municipal Council.