Night Operation Plan for Ragunan Zoo Must Prioritize Animal Welfare

Jakarta Council (DPRD) Commission D Chairperson Yuke Yurike urged the Jakarta Provincial Government to prepare all aspects for the plan to operate Ragunan Zoo until night.

"If it's opened at night, the safety, comfort, and well-being of animals and plants there should be maintained well,"

She supports the idea because it can be an alternative entertainment for residents with limited time.

"There will definitely be studies and considerations. If it is feasible to open until night, then everything must be prepared. Sometimes people want to enjoy entertainment but have limited time. So, as long as it's still under study and the infrastructure is ready, I support it," she said on Thursday (8/20).

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However, Yuke also reminded that the night operational plan must still prioritize the conservation of rare animals and plants at the zoo.

"If it's opened at night, the safety, comfort, and well-being of animals and plants there should be maintained well," she asserted.

Meanwhile, Commission B member Dwi Rio Sambodo fully supports Governor Pramono's initiative to review nighttime operations at Ragunan Zoo. According to him, this idea aligns with the vision of making Ragunan a world-class public amusement park icon in Jakarta.

"However, this initiative should be accompanied by a comprehensive analysis considering infrastructure readiness, impact on the animals, and visitor experience. As mentioned by the management, there needs to be a clear revitalization master plan before implementation," he explained.

Rio emphasized that animal welfare must be a priority. Not all animals are suitable for display at night, so there needs to be a mechanism such as a shift system between diurnal and nocturnal animals.

"Nocturnal animals such as Sumatran tigers or owls are more suitable to be showcased, while diurnal animals must still get rest time," he said.

He also assessed that nighttime operations require adequate infrastructure, such as animal-friendly lighting, shuttle bus, security facilities, 24-hour cleanliness, and multilevel parking building.

He shared that the policy has the potential to increase regional revenue while creating new jobs.

"With longer operating hours, Ragunan can become an attractive nighttime tourist destination for Jakarta residents and its surroundings, while also reduce traffic congestion to Puncak," he expressed.

Furthermore, he added that increased revenue could be allocated for animal care and facility development. According to him, Commission B will ensure that there is a strict monitoring mechanism, both in terms of budget management and economic impact.

"We will also encourage collaboration with all government stakeholders, Ragunan management, animal experts, and the public, to ensure the success of this policy," he said.