The national zoo, Zoo Negara, was hit by a flash flood following the heavy rainstorm in the Klang Valley area yesterday evening (18th October). The flood aftermath was captured on camera and shared on social media.
According to Deputy President of Zoo Negara, Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana, this wasn’t the first time the zoo has experienced a flash flood, adding that the previous one was worse. This time, zoo staff were more prepared to deal with the flood waters, so they started the cleaning process immediately after the rain subsided.
https://www.tiktok.com/@bosyakuza_2207/video/7291234150307220738
Fortunately, no animals were harmed during the incident, but one capybara did escape from its enclosure. The escape was short-lived because zoo staff managed to catch it before it got too far. After news of the flood – and the capybara’s escape – were reported, netizens couldn’t help but joke about the incident, wondering if the zoo’s famed orange tabby cat, Oyen, was behind it all.
As the capybaras and Oyen shared an enclosure, many joked that the rodent’s escape was because it couldn’t stand living with the cat any more. Some netizens also joked that the incident was the plan of the orange cat all along to help the capybara run away and “be free”. Despite the jokes, some netizens were curious if the zoo’s carnivores, like the crocodiles, had escaped.
Thankfully, it seems all the animals remained in their respective enclosure after the cleaning process. Zoo Negara has also continued operations as usual.
Sources: TikTok, Twitter, Harian Metro
