Bukittinggi Zoo is the second oldest zoo in Indonesia

Bukittinggi Zoo is the second oldest zoo in Indonesia. Initiated by the Dutch government since 1900, this zoo was officially opened in 1921.

This zoo is pretty interesting.

The area was called "Storm Park" back in the 1990s, a favourite place amongst the Dutch colonials where they can enjoy the flower park.  In 1929, the Dutch set up the zoo. Now hundreds of animals were kept in the zoo securely in a representative place and there has been effort to save rare animals from extinction.

Kebun Binatang Bukittinggi atau Stormpark te Fort de Kock. Source: foto koleksi KITLV

Bukittinggi is the center of the Dutch government for the Sumatra region, so the colonial government built many facilities for Dutch citizens, such as this zoo for sightseeing.

There is also the Limpapeh bridge which links the Fort de Kock fort and the Buklittinggi Zoo.

Limpapeh Bridge at Buklittinggi, connecting Bulittinggi Zoo and Fort de Cock Source: tripadvisor

Literacy and history activist from Agam, West Sumatra, Irwan Setiawan, tells the history of the zoo in this interview.

Irwan Setiawan, pegiat literasi dan sejarawan dari Agam, Sumatera Barat Source: Irwan