Tumbina Park Still A Tourist Attraction After More Than 20 Years

BINTULU (Sarawak, Malaysia) Dec 31 (Bernama) – Taman Tumbuhan dan Binatang (Tumbina), a botanical and zoological park here, is once again a tourist attraction drawing local and foreign visitors after it was re-opened to the public in January 2018. Its manager, Kamil Bujang said, since the park was closed in 2017 for renovation and maintenance works, and when it reopened this year, the number of visitors increased. “According to statistics, from Jan to Nov 2018, a total of 196,686 people visited Taman Tumbina," he told Bernama. Of these, Kamil said, 145,969 were adults and 50,717 children. Other than the draw of the many species of animals, insects and plants, an added attraction was the free entry into the park. Previously, the entrance fee for adults was RM2 while children between the age of seven and 12 were charged 50 sen each. Kamil said the renovations to the park included improvements to the cages and walkways for visitors, while there are plans to increase the number of bird and animal species next year. Officially opened on Aug 2, 1991, Taman Tumbina was managed by the Bintulu Development Authority) and had a variety of animals including deer, otters, porcupines, and a Malayan tiger. The park also had several types of birds, fish, reptiles and insects, as well as several areas designated to different types of fauna, such as orchids and cacti. Situated about 10 to 30 minutes from the city centre, Taman Tumbina provides visitors with the chance to get close to nature. -- BERNAMA