Cover image via @ahmaddriyal (Instagram)A digital creator has urged parents to stop letting their children treat Catopia, a park in Shah Alam built for cats, like a regular playground
In an Instagram reel yesterday, 2 June, Ahmad Riyal highlighted the safety hazards of allowing children to run around unsupervised in Catopia, a space intentionally designed to cater to the needs of felines.
"Dear parents, please do not let your children play in Catopia. This beautifully designed space is meant for cats only, not kids," he wrote in the reel that has since racked up over 1,100 likes.
Image via @ahmaddriyal (Instagram)
In the video, Riyal lists several reasons why Catopia isn't suitable for children:
- There are no railings on the stairs
- Elevated platforms have minimal or no guardrails
- The hard, unpadded surfaces can lead to serious injuries if a child falls
- Resident cats often feel disturbed or unsafe when chased or handled by children
While the space may look whimsical and inviting, it's clear the infrastructure prioritises cats' mobility and freedom, not child safety.
Riyal also pointed out that Catopia is located right next to two proper playgrounds that are actually built for children to play
Catopia is Malaysia's first outdoor park for cats, which opened last year.
A maximum of 20 cats and their owners are allowed in the park for two-hour sessions.
Watch Riyal's video here:
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Image via SAYS
