Responding to a report that Zoo Negara had only enough emergency funds to last another three months, the two veterinarians said the zoo had suffered mismanagement over the years.
Dr S Vellayan, who worked at the zoo for over 27 years, told FMT that the government should take control from the Malaysian Zoological Society and run the zoo in the same manner as Singapore Zoo, which is run by an organisation belonging to the government-owned Temasek Holdings.
“Revamp with people with a good educational background, with practical hands-on experience, and an eagerness to work and study,” said Vellayan.
He said Zoo Negara, once a top zoo in the region, was now “60 years behind developed zoos” and fell short of those that once came to them for help, such as Singapore Zoo.
Another veterinarian, Dr Reza Singam, who worked at Zoo Negara in the early 2000s, said the zoo had “a lot of potential” if run correctly. It should be headed by people with a passion for animals or a background in zoological-related fields.
He said during his time he saw “decision making by people who were not qualified, which affected the welfare of the animals”.
While neither have filed official complaints to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the two veterinarians both said they were aware of troubling activities by zoo employees and leadership.
Vellayan said it was not uncommon for workers to sell off tickets they had stolen, and for food prices to be inflated on the accounts so that those making the purchases could keep the difference.
He claimed that there was favouritism among staff and unqualified people being placed in high positions.
Vellayan and Reza said they hoped for a return to the transparency of earlier days in the zoo administration.
Vellayan said the zoo needed to be more open about the state of its finances and its collection of animals to assure the public it has nothing to hide. Reza said the detailed financial breakdowns and animal inventory should be restored to the annual reports.
Copies of the annual reports sighted by FMT contained such breakdown figures as far back as 1970, which were lacking in recent reports.
Zoo Negara officials declined to comment on the claims made by the two veterinarians or answer questions regarding the financial reports.