PETALING JAYA, June 2 — Sunway Lagoon says the addition of white lions to its wildlife park is part of its role in conserving the species while educating the public.
Assistant general manager M. Magendaran Marimuthu said the company had legally brought in the rare breed to its zoo and adhered to stringent protocols while caring for the animals.
He said while Sunway Lagoon respected the opinions of non-governmental organisations concerned over the welfare of the white lions, it had carried out extensive research before introducing the lions to a different environment.
The two-year-old white lions, named Zuri (beautiful) and Zola (love), were brought in from Africa on Oct 2, 2014.
“We handed our proposals to comply with the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 to the Wildlife Department in 2013, more than a year before the lions were brought in,” Magendaran said.
“Every regulation listed was complied with, and we even provided an enclosure that is 30 per cent bigger than what is required in the Act.”
He said zoos in the country had been regulated with recent amendments made to the Act, including obtaining licences before the transfer of the animals.
Animals transferred to zoos were usually bred in captivity and would face greater threat if left in the wild.
“To obtain the white lions, or any foreign animals, we would first be required to apply to the local government and must abide by the international treaty CITES,” said Magendaran, referring to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
“We would require government-to-government agreement and adhere to health requirements as we cannot import or export unhealthy animals. Neither can we trade endangered species.”
According to the Global White Lion Protection Trust, white lions, listed as Panthera Leo, fall under the classification of “vulnerable species” and are not necessarily threatened with extinction.
The trust says white lions are found naturally only in the Timbavati region of Africa.
Responding to complaints of loud music from concerts held at Sunway Lagoon, Magendaran said the animals in the park were not affected.
“Our animals are kept in the night dens which are enclosed and private. There is only minimum effect from the music. We provide them top quality care and food,” he said.
The Selangor Wildlife Department carried out a check on April 6 following a complaint that the white lions were being exposed to loud music.
Its director, Abd Rahim Othman, said the white lions had not shown any signs of distress and were healthy and active.
“The distance from the enclosure to the amphitheatre is about 200m or a 15-minute walk. The trees also act as a sound barrier to cut off loud noise from reaching the enclosure,” he said.
“We appreciate the concerns of the NGOs, but we cannot be too extreme in our opinion. We have to meet a middle ground regarding animal conservation.”
Rahim said Sunway Lagoon had complied with regulations.
“They have their own veterinary doctor, and we bring ours when carrying out our checks,” he said.
“We would take immediate action if any rule or regulation is broken.”
The Malaysian Friends of the Animals recently voiced concern over Sunway Lagoon’s purchase of the white lions.
It claimed the white lions had been bred solely for use and exploitation in zoos.
The NGO also said out music could put stress on the animals, and called for a ban on concerts in the area.
