Lions, hyenas and tigers, oh my! Predators to fill Yogyakarta zoo’s new zone

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JAKARTA — Gembira Loka Zoo in Yogyakarta is gearing up to open in January a new section named Zona Cakar (Claw Zone) that will house such powerful predators as lions and hyenas.

The zone has been in the works since 2014 with the aim of introducing various carnivores to the zoo, according to tempo.co. The new area will also be home tigers, leopards and panthers.

“In total, there will be around 30 carnivorous animals in Zona Cakar, some brought in from Africa,” Gembira Loka official Agung Wibowo said on Wednesday.

He added that the zoo had spent about Rp 1.5 billion (US$102,859) to import the animals, in addition to a separate budget for construction.

The 2,000-square-meter Zona Cakar lies on the west side of the zoo and boasts a garden concept, with a small island in the middle surrounded by flowing rivers.

“The zone is 70 percent completed and is targeted to be finished by January 2019, when it will be officially opened,” Agung said.

He acknowledged that the zoo had faced several obstacles in obtaining its new animal permits.

“There were indeed some problems in arranging permits because the tigers are coming in from Africa,” he said.

Some animals have already arrived in Indonesia, he assured, and are currently going through a climate adaptation process, having been transported from Africa and Europe.

Despite the new zone, entrance fees to the zoo will remain the same at Rp 25,000 to Rp 30,000 on weekdays and Rp 35,000 on holidays.

“Visitors will not have to purchase an additional ticket to enjoy Zona Cakar; it’s included in the main entrance fee,” Agung said.