Wildlife Conservation (operation of zoo) Regulations 2012.

These Regulations, developed by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, concerning the operation of zoos in Malaysia consist of 15 articles. Article 3 provides penalties and punishment for those who operate a zoo without a permit. The criteria set under these Regulations are intended to ensure that the welfare, health, and safety of wildlife in captivity are well-taken care of by the zoo operators. The major provisions in the said Regulations are as follows (i) minimum cages size for each species (art.6); (ii) establish a quarantine area for wildlife (art.7); (iii) provide wildlife with nutritious and sufficient quantities of food as prescribed by a veterinarian, not only the natural diet of the species but also is required to contain all necessary nutrients and provided in sufficient quantities (art.8); (iv) employ a full-time or permanent consultant veterinarian (art.9); (v) provide a veterinary clinic and hospital in the zoo premises (art.9); (vi) maintain an animal record keeping and health care (art.9); (vii) ensure the cleanliness of the zoo (art.10); (viii) vaccination of zoo animals done by a veterinarian or anyone under his supervision (art.11); (ix) conduct euthanasia (killing wildlife in humane) of wildlife when ever necessary, and may only be conducted by a veterinary surgeon or under the surgeon's supervision (art.12); (x) conduct wildlife show that involves natural behavior only (are banned force or abuse, and any causes of distress, pain, o fear) and requires written permission from the Director General in addition to the operating permit (art.13). Any person who contravenes any provisions of these Regulations shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand ringgit or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both.