PETALING JAYA, Feb 20 — Animals at Zoo Negara are in the best of health despite the hot spell in the country.

The zoo’s deputy director, Dr Muhammad Danial Feliz, said the exhibits that housed the animals were designed to suit tropical weather, and the animals were provided with plenty of water and shady areas.

“We have experienced such hot weather in the past. Also, none of our animals have experienced any heat stroke or stress due to the heat,” said Dr Muhammad.

He said animals like penguins were kept in an area where the temperature was controlled.

While the zoo has taken measures to ensure the animals cope well under such circumstances, Dr Muhammad said these animals use natural instinct to adapt to the weather.

“We tend to see the animals being less active, drink more water and stay under the shade a lot,” he said.

In the event of water disruption due to low water reserves in the Klang Valley, Dr Muhammad said the zoo has adequate water supply from three sources.

“Apart from our water supply from the water concessionaire (Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor), we have water from Sungai Kemensah, which we use for cleaning, and groundwater.”

The zoo, opened in 1963, has more than 5,137 animals from 476 species and is managed by the Malaysian Zoological Society.