In September 2019, when Sam took Livvie to Kota Kinabalu, we spent a pleasant morning exploring the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park (also known as Lok Kawi Zoo) (Read here). Six years later, with Maddie and her dad visiting KK from 15 to 19 October 2025, we decided to revisit the zoo for another morning of exploration and nostalgia.
When we stepped into the zoo at around 10 a.m. on 17 October 2025, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment compared to my last visit in September 2019. The park’s overall condition had clearly declined over the years. The most noticeable change was the state of the internal concrete roads - many were cracked and uneven, with sections crudely patched using loose gravel instead of being properly resurfaced. Several areas that were once freely accessible to visitors were now fenced off or closed. Still, I was heartened to see that some repair and maintenance work was in progress at a few of the viewing decks and platforms, suggesting that restoration efforts were underway.
Despite these shortcomings, we decided to remain positive and focus on ensuring that Maddie, my granddaughter, would have a fun and memorable day exploring the zoo.
To our delight, we managed to see almost all of the animals on display - except for two species that were likely “hiding” or taking a quiet rest in their enclosures.
The sun bear, which is native to Southeast Asia (including Malaysia and Borneo), gets its name from the golden or orange crescent-shaped patch on its chest. This marking often resembles a rising or setting sun, hence the name “sun bear”.
Hornbill and Macaws.
Tiger.
Elephants.
Emu.
Beaver.
Gibbon.
The presence of Proboscis Monkeys in the zoo offered Maddie a wonderful opportunity to see these remarkable creatures up close - an experience she might not easily have had in the wild along the Kinabatangan River, their natural habitat in Borneo. Watching them at such close range allowed us to appreciate their distinctive long noses, expressive faces, and playful behaviour.
Clouded Leopard.
As we moved along the trail toward the orangutan enclosure, which I remembered fondly from my earlier visit. Back in 2019, I recalled seeing several orangutans - lively, curious, and occasionally playful - moving about their spacious habitat. This time, however, the scene was starkly different. Only one solitary orangutan was visible, sitting quietly beneath a wooden platform, gazing blankly into the distance. Its fur appeared dull and unkempt, and there was a certain sadness in its demeanor.
I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to the others. Were they being kept elsewhere, perhaps off-exhibit for medical care or enclosure maintenance? Or had some of them, sadly, not survived the passing years? There was no signboard or staff nearby to offer an explanation. Watching that lone orangutan sitting there in silence left me with a deep sense of melancholy - a feeling that lingered long after we walked away.
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As we exited the zoo, I asked Maddie whether she had enjoyed herself. With a bright smile, she replied simply, “Yes, I did!”
For her, I believe the highlight of the visit was the chance to ride on a “rhino” and an “elephant.” Whether they were real or man-made didn’t matter - what truly counted was the joy and excitement of the experience itself. When she was on the elephant, she called out to her Popo with a playful reminder: “Don’t tell Livvie this is a fake!” To Maddie, it was all pure fun and adventure - a magical moment she’ll surely remember for a long time.
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