Jalan Zoo, Air Itam

Jalan Zoo, Ayer Itam, Penang (4 January 2021)


Jalan Zoo, formerly Zoo Road, is a road in Air Itam, Penang. As with many of the roads in George Town that developed out of country paths, so for many years, the tarred portions of Jalan Zoo was fragmented into three parts, and it was not possible to drive from one end of Jalan Zoo to the other.

The northernmost portion runs from Jalan Air Itam to end at Sungai Air Itam. The middle portion of Jalan Zoo emerges in Kampung Melayu. It connects with Jalan Pisang Embun near Lintang Zoo, and continues to the junction with Jalan Kampung Pisang, where it once again disappears. Jalan Zoo reemerges the third and final time in Farlim, between Solok Zoo 1 and Jalan Ru 1, to end at Lebuhraya Thean Teik. This is the southern portion of the road.

The various segments of Jalan Zoo were connected in 2017 and so from then one, the road is now passable from end to end.

Jalan Zoo got its name from a private zoo that was established there in the early 20th century. No trace of that zoo remains today.

Sights along Jalan Zoo

Updates on Jalan Zoo

13 February, 2016 The Star reports (Roads being widened for bypass) Air Itam assemblyman Wong Hon Wai saying that roads in Kampung Pisang are being widened to complement the construction of the 4.6 km bypass to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway. The section of Jalan Zoo off Jalan Air Itam with the section in Kampung Pisang so that those staying in the Jalan Air Itam and Reservoir Garden areas can easily access the elevated bypass to the expressway. Construction of the bypass is expected to start in June 2016 and scheduled for completion in 2019.

Getting to Jalan Zoo

Due to its length and extreme fragmentation, there are various bus stops serving the various parts of Jalan Zoo. If going to the northern portion, the nearest bus stop is on Jalan Air Itam, served by Rapid Penang bus 201 and 502. To reach the middle portion, the bus stop is on Jalan Pisang Embun, served by Rapid Penang bus 204. For the southern portion, the bus stop is on Lebuhraya Thean Teik, served by Rapid Penang bus 202, 203 and 306.

Map of Jalan Zoo, Ayer Itam, Penang

Jalan Zoo roadsign (4 January 2021)


Jalan Zoo signboard (9 March 2013)


Jalan Pisang Embun (left) curves into Jalan Zoo (right) (9 March 2013)


Zoo Road, Air Itam, Penang (9 March 2013)

List of Streets in Penang and Streets in Malaysia