Iskandar Malaysia Graduate Leadership, Assessment and Development program, also known as Imglad is collaboration among Johor Zoo, The Iskandar Malaysia Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Research Centre (Imrec) and Deloitte.

Several selected students will be assigned with different task that includes cage cleaning, food preparations for animals, food distribution and feeding, domestic care and any additional job that relates with the zoo facility.

Those selected are not restricted for UTM students only but they are coming from any other universities for instance Malacca Multimedia University (MMU), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and many more.

By this project, students can implement generic skills and allow themselves to develop leadership traits that are essential for their future. This Imglad program consists of 37 modules that are comprehensively try to help students developing personal characteristics that they can use when confronting public and while working.

Students can learn how to understand the animals, indirectly learn how to deal with other people, understands body language, be patience and improve their level of confidence.

Yeah, just think how confident you have to be when you need to be in the same cage with primates and weird animals anyway.

Actually, I was in the same place two years ago, when the zoo first trial to conduct such activities. My friends and I were representing Scout, gathered at the Zoo compound around 8am, spent about half a day doing voluntary works.The first trial was a success, I can say. I think, that is one of the reason they launch this Imglad Program.

My task was to prepare food for the animals. I rode on a small truck and checked the food portion before being distributed. Just paid-off to see those animals eat the food I prepare, happy and healthy enough for visitors to see.  Oh man, all animals of this planet should love me as I fed them and their families for that whole day!

Besides, I was given a chance to access some restricted places inside the zoo and that of course excludes the lion’s cage. .

picture courtesy of The Star

Zoo Johor is known to be the first zoo ever builds not just in Malaysia, but also in Asia back in the year 1928. The idea came from Sultan Sir Ibrahim, who ruled the state at that time. It supposed to be a place for him to keep all his animal collections, from tigers, cheetah, swan, birds and many more. It was named as ‘kebun binatang’ and managed by the Istana Johor.

However, in early 1960, it was handed over to the Johor government and two years later, Zoo Johor was opened for public, officially.

The place offers various species of animals for visitors to see including Indo-Chinese tigers, camels, flamingo, macaque, chimp, pelican, cassowary, python snake and so many others.

To keep the visitors occupied, the zoo management has increase the number of animals through exchange programmes with other zoo. Just on last March, they welcome some new animals like African mandrills, chimpanzee, capuchin, black macaca and banded longur.

Located  about 1 kilometre away from Thistle Hotel Johor Bahru, you can pay a visit to local zoo daily from 8 am to 6 pm. Get the experience to feed the animals, ride a boat at the lake in front of the main entrance or just stroll around while clicking your camera.

Also, stand a chance to meet Obama and Hillary. They are the African lion cubs however, definitely not the US politicians.

Location : Zoo Johor, Jalan Gertak Merah, 80000, Johor Bahru, Johor.

Entrance fee;

Adults            : RM 2.00
Kids below 12 : RM 1.00
Kids below  3  : Free admission

Tickets are priced at RM10 for adults and RM5 for children.