Imagine stepping back in time to 1928. What was then the Sultan’s personal animal collection is now the Johor Zoo. It is a place where memories are made and where the wonders of wildlife come to life.
The late Johor Sultan, Sir Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar, opened this zoo. It was initially known as Kebun Binatang or Animal Garden. The zoo housed animals from countries the Sultan had visited. In 1962, ownership transferred to the Johor State Government. The Johor Zoo remains open to the public.
After renovations, the Johor Zoo reopened on August 31st, 2024. It now houses 275 animals from 53 species including mammals reptiles and birds. The zoo closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Upgrading works were also necessary.
The Johor Zoo is conveniently split into four zones. Zone 1 includes administrative facilities. You will find the ticketing counter and visitor information centre there. An expansive lake offers a place for visitors to stroll. There is also an amphitheater and shaded rest areas. A playground is present for children.
Zones 2 and 3 bring you face-to-face with animals. Lions chimpanzees bears and oxen live here. Visitors can get up close with some animals. You can help during elephant feeding sessions. If you are brave enough you can pet a Burmese python with the help of zookeepers.
In these zones toucans tapirs mandrills and camels can be spotted. Two bird domes house colourful macaws and toucans. Zone 4 showcases semi-aquatic animals. Crocodiles flamingos and hippos reside here. There is even a small area to pose with birds like cockatoos for a photo.
Tickets to the Johor Zoo are affordable. For Malaysian residents adult tickets cost RM10. Children and senior citizen tickets cost RM5. Visitors with special needs and children below five enter for free. For foreigners adult tickets are RM30. A promotion commemorating the reopening offers 50% off adult tickets for Malaysian residents until September 30th 2024. Children and senior citizens enter for free during this promotion.
You can only purchase physical tickets at the zoo’s ticketing counters and kiosks currently. The Johor government is developing an online ticket purchasing system. This is to combat the crowds at the ticketing counters.
Getting to the Johor Zoo is simple. It is a 10-minute drive from the JB customs. It is a 15-minute drive from Johor Bahru City Centre. There is no parking at the zoo itself. You can park at the nearby Ayer Molek Prison which contains 500 parking lots. Free shuttle buses operate from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm daily. They pick up visitors every 15 minutes.
So swing by the Johor Zoo on your next trip to JB. Experience the joy of seeing animals up close. Enjoy a family-friendly attraction that has delighted visitors since 1928.