If you're planning a trip to Puncak, and looking for a unique and charming experience, a visit to Taman Safari should definitely be on your itinerary. One of the highlights of this safari park is the opportunity to see panda, those adorable and endangered creatures that have captured the hearts of people worldwide. Here’s why and when you should see panda in Taman Safari.
History of Panda in Indonesia
The history of panda in Indonesia is quite unique. These animals are native to China, but in recent years, Indonesia has been fortunate to host two panda on loan from China. The couple, Cai Tao (male panda) and Hu Chun (female panda), arrived on Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at on 28 September 2017, after six-hour cargo flight on Garuda Indonesia airline from Chengdu, China. The name "Cai Tao" in Mandarin Chinese means "colourful porcelain" and "Hu Chun" means "lake in springtime". Both of them were born in 2010 in Bifengxia Panda Base, Sichuan, China. The 10-year breeding loan agreement allows Indonesian visitors to experience the charm of these creatures without traveling to China.
Their Care
The panda in Taman Safari are not just any panda; they are carefully selected and loaned to Indonesia as part of a conservation effort. The zoo has prepared 10 hectares of land planted with Bamboo tree to provide food for the panda. They can eat 20 to 30 kg of bamboo and 1 kg of fruits in a day. In addition to their diet, the panda have a special dwelling place, Istana Panda, 1300 sqm house, designed to mimic their natural habitat, providing them with a comfortable and safe place to live.
Dedicated staff take great care of the panda, monitoring their health and behavior closely. The average temperature at the zoo is 17 degree Celcius at night and 24 degree Celcius at noon. They ensure that the panda have access to everything they need to thrive, including plenty of bamboo, clean water, and a spacious area that includes indoor, outdoor, and mating area. They can sleep up 13 hours in a day, in total, not consecutive, comprising of several short durations.
Why Panda are Cute
Panda are known for their cute appearance and endearing behaviors. With their soft, fluffy fur, round faces, and distinctive black and white coloring, panda are instantly recognizable and loved by many. Cai Tao, the male panda, is a bit naughty, difficult to manage, especially when he is in outdoor area. Hu Chun, female panda, has gained some weight, slightly obese, looks cute, with her elegant movement. They are playful, often seen rolling around in the grass or climbing trees, and their gentle demeanor makes them a joy to watch.
Baby Panda, not yet
The couple, Hu Chun dan Cai Tao, as of 2024, do not have any children yet. Taman Safari has tried to encourage the couple to start a family, even assisted them with Artificial Insemination method that Taman Safari learned from China. The fertile period for female panda is only one week per year, around early August, once they miss out this period, they have to repeat in the following year. Male Panda has sensitive sense of smell, can detect female panda who is in fertile period. If Cai Tao gets pregnant, she will spend 90-150 days to give birth to one baby panda.
How to Go to Istana Panda
Getting to Istana Panda in Taman Safari is relatively easy. Taman Safari is located in Cisarua, Puncak, just a 2-hour drive from Jakarta. Istana Panda is located at the end of Taman Safari area, you should park your car in parking lot D and take free shuttle bus from there. Once you arrive, you will be greeted by the beautiful landscapes and excited to start your panda-watching adventure. Istana Panda is a three-story building, in the style of Chinese Palace.
Entrance Ticket
Entrance tickets to Taman Safari are available at the park's entrance or can be purchased online beforehand. Prices vary depending on the type of ticket you choose, but they are generally reasonable and worth the experience. Be sure to check the park's website https://www.tamansafari.com for the latest ticket prices and information. In addition to panda, visitors can also see other animals from China, such as Red Panda, Golden Pheasant, dan Mishmi Takin (similar to goat and antelope).
When to Go
When planning your visit to Taman Safari, consider the best time to see the panda, they are normally active when they are hungry. After they eat, they will sleep again. As they are being fed five times in day, 9 am, 11.30 am, 2.30pm, 5pm, and 7pm, we recommend visitors to go there between 9 am to 2.30 pm to match their meal time. After spending some time with the panda, you can head back to your accommodation for lunch or eat their special spicy lamian noodle at level 3 foodcourt.
Conclusion
A visit to Taman Safari in Bogor, Indonesia, is a fantastic opportunity to see panda up close. These adorable creatures are not only cute but also play a crucial role in conservation efforts. With their special diet, housing, and dedicated care, the panda in Taman Safari are thriving and providing visitors with a memorable experience.
Please visit www.instagram.com/taman_safari/ for more information. Do not forget to do a site visit, before or after the trip, to Palm Kartika Resort, we are suitable for large group accomodation, with full meals and usage of facilities.