Ragunan Zoo
Ragunan
zoo in South Jakarta is a popular place to visit, particularly during
holidays. Jakarta's zoo is situated in the suburb of Ragunan in
the southern part of the city. Laid out in a lush tropical setting,
such indigenous animals as the Komodo lizard, tapir, anoa, Java
tiger, banteng, wild ox and brightly colored birds are given ample
room to be in this green foliage. The new primates are centered
at Ragunan Zoo. It's a world-class facility and guaranteed to entertain
and educate both the young and young at heart.
According to its history, Taman Margasatwa Ragunan,
or Ragunan Wildlife Reserve, was first set up by a Dutch flora and
fauna lovers organization. The organization, the Vereneging Plantenen
Dierentuin at Batavia, set up the park on a 10-hectare plot of land
in Cikini Raya Street 2, South Jakarta in 1864. The park, Plantenen
Dierentuin, was moved to the present location in 1964 to accommodate
the city's development plan. In the new location, the park was given
a 10-hectare plot of land, but now it occupies 135 hectares of land.
This zoo was located at Cikini until 1964, when the site was no
longer large enough to accommodate its rapid expansion. Reopened
in 1966, the zoo now exhibits 550 species of tropical plants and
animals from Indonesia and around the world. Endangered species
bred here include the Sumatran tiger, Komodo dragon, dwarf buffalo
and bird of paradise.
Now, the zoo is busy preparing a 10-hectare enclosure,
which was described by the director as the largest and most luxurious
one in the world, for the new guests. The spot is ideal for family
excursions and picnics amid the abundant flora. Come during weekdays
when it is less crowded. Open dally from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
The zoological garden is most crowded on Sunday and public holidays. |