Ampang Point pulls plug on petting zoo after viral alpaca welfare concerns spark public outrage in Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: A petting zoo at Ampang Point Shopping Centre has been shut down following an outpouring of public concern over the welfare of its animals — in particular, an alpaca filmed confined in what many described as a small, inadequate enclosure inside the mall.
The controversy was ignited by Threads user @_qistinasarah, who shared a post expressing distress after spotting an alpaca in a cramped pen, surrounded by crowds of mall-goers and children. She described watching helplessly as the animal, visibly unable to move freely, was subjected to the noise and excitement of the busy mall environment, with some children screaming nearby while the organiser allegedly laughed and encouraged the commotion.
“I feel so bad because it cannot run away or even react in any other way,” she wrote. “I have lodged a report, but please boycott this kind of event in malls. Even if they are cute or fluffy, just know that they are stressed too.”
She also claimed the petting zoo had been operating at the mall for approximately two months, and raised alarm over reports that the alpaca was being kept in its pen even after the mall closed for the night. Another concerned visitor alleged the same after asking mall security directly, claiming the animal had been left there after closing hours for around two months.
The post spread rapidly, drawing widespread condemnation and prompting multiple members of the public to file independent reports with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).
Ampang Point issued an official statement on 17 February, defending the event’s compliance record while acknowledging the strength of public feeling. The mall confirmed that on-site inspections had been conducted by DVS in both January and February 2026, and that the third-party organiser — who holds a valid licence — was found to be compliant with existing regulations on both occasions.
The mall also pushed back on the narrative of continuous confinement, stating that the alpaca was present only during weekend sessions and was not kept at the mall around the clock. However, this claim was directly contradicted by the original poster, who noted she had encountered the animal during a weekday visit on Monday, February 16.
Despite maintaining that the event met regulatory requirements, the mall announced that it would not let the matter rest there. “We acknowledge the concerns raised and have taken note of the feedback received. In light of this, the petting zoo event concluded effective today,” it said, confirming the event’s immediate closure. The mall also pledged to review how similar events are assessed and approved in future.
This is not the first time an alpaca at a Malaysian commercial venue has sparked a national conversation about animal welfare. A café in Melaka previously drew condemnation and regulatory action after it was found to be housing an alpaca alongside more than 22 other animals as a business attraction, ultimately resulting in a closure order and a fine of RM10,000.
The Ampang Point incident has reignited calls from animal welfare advocates and members of the public for a broader review — and potentially a ban — on the use of animals in mall-based events and commercial petting zoos. Many netizens argued that no amount of regulatory compliance could adequately address the inherent stress that animals experience when placed in loud, crowded, unfamiliar environments for extended periods.
“If anyone wants to see an alpaca, go to proper zoos or conservation centres,” one commenter wrote. “Do not bring them here.”
As the conversation continues, the question facing mall operators, event organisers, and regulators alike is no longer simply whether the animals are technically being cared for — but whether putting them in this situation in the first place is ever truly acceptable.
The Sun Malaysia
