Saturday, April 30, 2011

Gembiraloka Zoo









 
History

The zoo is known as Gembiraloka this is the only zoo in the city of Yogyakarta. Although effective as a zoo, Gembiraloka still classified as a museum, which fall into the category Zoologicum museum or museum animals, also including a special type of museum. When viewed from the side of the history of its emergence, he is the second oldest museum in Yogyakarta after the Museum Sonobudoyo.

The idea of ​​beginning the construction of the Botanical Gardens and Zoo Happy Loka originated from the desire of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono VIII in 1933 will be a place of entertainment, who later called Garden Rojo. The idea is realized by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX with the help of Ir. Karsten, a Dutch architect. Ir. Karsten then choose a location on the western rivers Winongo, because it is considered as the most ideal for crop development such Rojo. However, due to the impact of World War II and also the occupation by Japan, Rojo crop development stalled.

At the time of the transfer of the state capital of Yogyakarta, return to Jakarta in 1949 after the completion of World War II, blaze again an idea to provide a memento to the people of Yogyakarta in the form of a place of entertainment from the central government which was pioneered by Januismadi and Hadi, SH. The idea may get a warm welcome from the people of Yogyakarta, but its realization is still not perceived by the public. Until in 1953, with the establishment of the Foundation Happy Loka Yogyakarta (based on RM deed. Wiranto No. 11 dated September 10, 1953) which is chaired by Sri Paduka Paku Alam VIII KGPAA, then a delayed crop development Rojo only really be realized.

A few years later, 1959, KGPAA Paku Alam VIII appointed to continue the development Tirtowinoto Happy Loka. Chosen because the relevant Tirtowinoto considered to have a love of nature and interest in the development of Happy Loka. Apparently Tirtowinoto no small contribution, both in terms of ideas and material, proven to bring rapid progress to the Happy Loka. The peak in 1978, when the collection of animals that have more complete, so that visitors Happy Loka is able to reach 1.5 million people.

In its development, this zoo has been recorded several times changed its manager for a variety of managerial reasons. Although Gembiraloka experienced ups and downs, the zoo remains one of the mainstay of tourism object in Yogyakarta. Data from the Department of Tourism of DIY over the past five years show that Gembiraloka have the number of visitors over the Museum and Monument of Jogja Return per year. The quantity of visitors at this Gembiraloka can only be defeated by the number of visitors to Yogyakarta Palace and Malioboro.
 


B. Feature

Unlike zoos in general, which shows only the animals 'normal' or rare in the display form of an iron barred cage or fenced wood, Gembiraloka also presents mounted dry-curing some animals in a special room that resembles a museum. The museum is presenting a mounted-preserved animal is located on the shores of an artificial lake in the zoo area. Not only specific buildings preserved, Gembiraloka in 2007 has built up a natural laboratory of flora and fauna as a medium of learning for the people, especially children. In this place, visitors can enjoy various kinds of insect and vertebrate animals (vertebrates) or not (invertebrates).
 


Zoo area that has been aged for more than half a century has a lovely garden because still decorated with a large variety of old trees and shade, plants are also beautiful flower seen. As arboetorium, Gembiraloka provide crop farm forest land left to grow and also persemaiannya. A variety of these plants is not laid out neatly like zoos in general, with the purpose of showing the atmosphere of the 'natural'.
 


For tourists who bring their children, in addition to gain real knowledge about the various fauna and flora, in the zoo environment available tourist boat which resembles a swan dikayuh (commonly called genjot duck). For visitors who had never been on an elephant, the manager Gembiraloka provides a vehicle for a special recreation of the streets surrounding the zoo with elephants that have been benign. Besides elephants, visitors can also ride the camels. More than that, playground for children and a replica cave is also available as an accessory supporting the zoo.

C. Location

Gembiraloka address at Jalan Kusumanegara, the city of Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta Special Region. The zoo is located about four kilometers from Yogyakarta Passenger Terminal (TPY) in Giwangan, Yogyakarta. Or, if from the city center, ie or Malioboro Yogyakarta Palace, located about six kilometers.

D. Access

The zoo is open to the public every day from 8:00 to 17:00 hours GMT. To achieve this tourist attraction, visitors can use a variety of public transport in Yogyakarta, from rickshaw, carriage, bus, bus Trans Jogja, or taxi. When the pedicab or horse cart as an option, then make sure that you are not far from the location of the zoo because the cost would be great. If you want to use the city bus, then choose the bus line 9 or 7 at a cost of Rp 2,000 (tariffs through March 2008). And, if visitors prefer to use buses Trans Jogja, came to the bus stop and ride lane Trans Jogja 1B. The bus route will stop at the bus stop near Gembiraloka Zoo. The fees charged for the bus Trans Jogja by Rp 3,000 (March 2008).

E. Ticket Prices

Tourists in the top 3-year visit to the Zoo Gembiraloka ticket charge of Rp 10,000, while for visitors under 3 years is free of cost or free. For entertainment facility, like riding elephants, riding a camel, duck genjot (pedicab water), boat, and train tour, visitors who want to enjoy the entertainment facilities are subject to cost between Rp 5,000 and Rp 10,000 per person.

F. Accommodation and Other Facilities
 
Rows of stalls selling souvenirs, toys, food, and beverages can be found around the visitor parking area. The zoo also has a large parking area, to large-sized buses to motorcycles. In addition to these things, small rooms, children's playground, and the mosque also be other facilities in this tourist attraction.




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