Jong’s Crocodile Farm and Zoo is home to over 2,000 crocodiles, including Bujang Lupar and Siti Lupar (right), who are among the oldest and largest. (Malaysia Traveller pics)

KUCHING:

Jong’s Crocodile Farm and Zoo is the first and largest captive-breeding crocodile farm in Malaysia. It is located on the Kuching Serian Highway, around 30km from the capital.

The farm was founded by one Yong Kian Sen, an animal lover and conservationist who began his crocodile collection in 1963.

Just inside the entrance is a small museum that offers background information on crocs, such as their size, weight, diet, and the role they play in nature.

There are photos of those that have been captured in Sarawak over the decades, some of which have ended up at Jong’s.

Among the displays is the skull of a notorious man-eating crocodile named Bujang Senang – one of the largest ever caught in the state.

Jong’s is located on the Kuching Serian Highway, about 30km from the capital. (Malaysia Traveller pic)

Jong’s has over 2,000 crocodiles that were bred in captivity. In six large ponds, some of these reptiles lurk beneath the murky green water, surfacing from time to time.

These ponds are surrounded by natural-looking vegetation and mud banks, where others rest in the shade or wallow in the puddles.

Two of these ponds are designated as feeding ponds, with seating for visitors to enjoy feeding shows twice a day. The zookeeper ties large chunks of chicken to a rope, which is then winched across the lake to hover above the waiting crocodiles.

Those who are hungry enough use their incredibly strong tails to partially raise themselves out of the water and snatch the chicken in their jaws, before disappearing again below the surface of the water. See the video below and hear the crocodile burp!

After the show, the crocodiles resume their lazy day. They don’t seem to expend energy unnecessarily, which is perhaps why they have been around since the dinosaurs.

There are other enclosures for breeding, and smaller pens for juvenile crocs. The largest and oldest reptiles here get their own private pens; these include Bujang Lupar, a 5.1m-long male that was hatched at Jong’s in 1976.

Bujang Lupar – Malaysia’s largest captive-bred saltwater croc – shares an enclosure with a female companion named Siti Lupar that was hatched in 1997 and is 3.7m long.

The largest pond at the farm contains freshwater tropical fish (and no crocodiles), including the giant Arapaima.

Crocodiles don’t seem to understand the concept of personal space. (Malaysia Traveller pic)

Jong’s also has a mini-zoo that contains Malayan porcupines, owls, fish, turtles and more. The peacock garden, meanwhile, is a nice aviary where peacocks, hens and geese stroll around freely next to a pond filled with carp.

There is also a petting-zoo section and some large monkey cages.

Overall, this is one of the best crocodile farms in Malaysia – indeed, perhaps even in the region. Being founded by an animal lover rather than purely for profit, the crocodiles seem happy in their spacious, natural ponds.

Some of the enclosures, such as those for juveniles, seem small and crowded – but apparently young crocs like having company!

Learn more about Jong’s Crocodile Farm & Zoo here.

Jong’s Crocodile Farm and Zoo
Siburan, 29Km Kuching-Serian Road,
94200 Kuching, Sarawak

Opening hours: