Petting zoos, with their promise of up-close wildlife encounters, have surged in popularity, blending education, entertainment, and exotic allure. Yet, as highlighted in Macaranga's latest two-part investigative report (Petting Wildlife Sending Mixed Signals and Jury Out on Whether Petting Zoos Aid Conservation), these facilities often walk a fine line between fostering conservation awareness and inadvertently harming wildlife. From stress-induced behaviours in animals to ethical concerns about sourcing exotic species and the risk of zoonotic diseases, the articles probe the complex realities of petting zoos in Malaysia. Joining us to discuss this are Macaranga co-founder and editor Wong Siew Lyn, and writer Lee Kwai Han, to explore the deeper implications of petting zoos on wildlife welfare, conservation, and public perception.



Image credits: Lee Kwai Han, Shutterstock

Petting zoos, with their promise of up-close wildlife encounters, have surged in popularity, blending education, entertainment, and exotic allure. Yet, as highlighted in Macaranga's latest two-part investigative report (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.macaranga.org/petting-wildlife-sending-mixed-signals/">Petting Wildlife Sending Mixed Signals</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.macaranga.org/jury-out-on-whether-petting-zoos-aid-conservation/">Jury Out on Whether Petting Zoos Aid Conservation</a>), these facilities often walk a fine line between fostering conservation awareness and inadvertently harming wildlife. From stress-induced behaviours in animals to ethical concerns about sourcing exotic species and the risk of zoonotic diseases, the articles probe the complex realities of petting zoos in Malaysia. Joining us to discuss this are Macaranga co-founder and editor Wong Siew Lyn, and writer Lee Kwai Han, to explore the deeper implications of petting zoos on wildlife welfare, conservation, and public perception.Image credits: Lee Kwai Han, Shutterstock

Climate change, ferocious weather and ‘the haze’ are now part our everyday lives. How are our lifestyles connected to them, and what can we do about it? What does the economy have to do with it? Earth Matters engages with activists and experts to explore our changing relationship with the planet that we only borrow from our children.

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