Happy Monkey Year! Johor Zoo Welcomes New Monkey

Johor Zoo has welcomed a family of five marmosets and a pair of squirrel monkeys in time for Chinese New Year to celebrate the Year of the Monkey.The two furry monkey species were its latest editions and the zoo had been busy making special arrangements for their enclosures since November last year, said zoo manager Zakaria Razali.

The marmoset is the world’s smallest monkey, growing to only 20cm tall. Unlike other monkeys, they have claws rather than nails, and tactile hairs on their wrists. They also lack wisdom teeth. The squirrel monkey, in turn, is a small monkey with an orange back and a distinctive white and black facial mask.

“We hope that with the new arrival, it will bring us good fortune and Johor Zoo will be able to attract more visitors, especially in conjunction with the Year of the Monkey,” he said, adding that the two animals were fed with fresh fruits, small insects and yoghurt as part of its diet.

Zakaria pointed out that the zoo now had various monkey species, including the Bonet monkey, Mandril Baboon and Capuchin monkey.

Johor Zoo, on Jalan Gertak Merah, Johor Baru, was built in 1928. Initially established by Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Abu Bakar, the state government took over the management in the 1960s.

It opens daily from 8am until 6pm. The entrance fee is RM2 for adults and RM1 for children under 12.