At Batam Zoo Paradise, Visitors Can Take Selfies with Alpacas

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vacationing at Batam Zoo Paradise in Indonesia, visitors not only will witness local animals and foreign animals such as Alpaca, Capybara and Emu birds, but can also interact directly starting from holding, hugging, and taking selfies with them.

These exquisite animals were imported directly from their respective countries. There are at least 30 different types of animals in Batam Zoo Paradise.

Alpaca and Capybara from South America

Alpaca and Capybara are two animals that the manager of Batam Zoo Paradise brought in directly from the United States. These two animals became the iconic zoo in the Ocarina area of Batam Center.

Alpaca is seen only silent when some visitors try to embrace them to take pictures. Besides having a long neck, alpacas also have soft fur. Some sources say alpaca fur is also used as a material for making silk threads.

Alpacas from South America at Batam Zoo Paradise, Batam, Indonesia. (Photo: TEMPO/Yogi Eka Sahputra)

Assistant Manager of Batam Zoo Paradise, Eko, said that Alpaca animal species are the most iconic one in Batam Zoo Paradise. “Because this animal can only be found in its place of origin in South America, [...] besides that, there are also Capybaras, both species are from South America as well,” said Eko.

According to Eko, these Alpaca and Capybara animals are the only one existing in Sumatra. Not only can you take pictures, visitors can also feed the Alpacas. “But the food for these Alpacas is special, namely dried timothi grass which is also sent from abroad,” he said.

Likewise with the Capybara, quoted from Wikipedia, capybara is the largest type of rodent that still exists in the world which is a member of the Hydrochoerus genus. Capybaras are native to tropical and humid regions of South America. 

At least in Batam Zoo Paradise, there are several Capybaras. “We also study animal behavior, which will affect the condition of the cage and food,” said Eko.

The World's Second Largest Bird

There is also an Emu bird from Australia at Batam Zoo Paradise. This bird, Eko said, is the second largest bird in the world, after the ostrich. It is about 190 centimeters tall and weighs 55 kilograms. “There is also Shaun the Sheep here,” said Eko while showing a sheep that resembles a character in the television series Shaun the Sheep.

Australian Emu birds at Batam Zoo Paradise, Batam, Indonesia. (Photo: TEMPO/Yogi Eka Sahputra)

Other types of animals found in Batam Zoo Paradise, such as various types of birds, ranging from owls, cockatoos, yellow crested birds, macau birds. There are also iguanas, squirrels, otters, turtles, sugar gliders (flying possums), ponies, and ornamental fish.

YOGI EKA SAHPUTRA

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