Kinantan Melintas Zaman by Irwan Setiawan (Chapter II)

When talking about Bukittinggi Zoo, what comes to mind?

For readers born in the 1960s, 1970s, or 1980s, there are certainly many stories stored in memory about this zoo. There are tales about the difficulty of visiting the zoo. Typically, children of that era only got to visit it during Eid or when relatives came back from afar. Stories include the struggles of finding an entrance through broken and rusty fences, and sometimes ending up with torn clothes from the barbed wire. If they weren't so lucky, they would meet security personnel already inside the zoo, getting caught, scolded, and still having to pay the entrance fee. If they managed to get in safely, they would usually run straight into the zoo and blend into the crowd to avoid detection by the security staff.

There are also old stories about dating at Kebun Binatang Bukittinggi. Writing letters at school to make plans, waiting for a date under Jam Gadang (a clock tower), and then walking together along Minangkabau Road to the zoo. Once inside, while sitting together, they might encounter street performers or thugs demanding donations with loud voices and fierce looks. Yes, that's how the old tales of Kebun Binatang Bukittinggi go. Many memories are stored there.

For visitors to the zoo from the 1990s to the 2000s, the stories and experiences are different. As we moved into the modern era, there have been fascinating changes and visible transformations. Kebun Binatang Bukittinggi has evolved into an Instagrammable location with many beautiful spots for selfies, making visitors enjoy spending more time at this tourist attraction.

There are many memories held by visitors and many stories to tell about Kebun Binatang Bukittinggi. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive books about the history of this zoo. Therefore, it is fitting to have a book that discusses this, the second oldest zoo in Indonesia.

A. From a Flower Garden

The Stormpark flower garden is the precursor to Kebun Binatang Bukittinggi. This garden is located on one of the hills in the Fort de Kock area, known locally as Bukit Malambuang. This hill is part of the five hills in the center of Fort de Kock. The five hills in this area are Bukit Jirek, Bukit Sarang Gagak, Bukit Tambun Tulang, Bukit Cubadak Bungkuak, and Bukit Malambuang.

According to the Dutch East Indies Government report Meetberief No. 78 Register No. 353 dated August 30, 1933, the area of Bukit Malambuang is 33,620 m with a mountain climate (subtropical) with temperatures between 18-22C. At the top of this hill, there is a flat area where local children would fly kites. Additionally, there were often contests of songbirds and other local children's games. In other parts of the hill, there was a cemetery. Due to its beautiful panorama, local residents and the people of Fort de Kock (Bukittinggi) would often relax and unwind in this area in the evening. They could enjoy views of the Ngarai Sianok, Mount Merapi, Singgalang, Sago, and Mount Pasaman.