A zoo in Malaysia reportedly maintains an appallingly poor environment for animals under its care.

Shirley, a 25 years-old orangutan, is frequently seen smoking cigarette butts thrown by visitors, according to the Mirror.

She enjoys playing with rubbish dispersed in her cage, while even begging for cigarettes from behind the bars. Shirley also competes with her companion Abu for more tobacco products.

Located at Johor Baru, near the border with Singapore, the zoo is just one of the abuse-ridden zoos in Malaysia, reports said.

The Malaysian government's initiative to overcome animal rights abuse across the nation has shown no results, and this is likely to continue. Just last year, the government enforced a new law that demanded zoos enhance care for animals.

However, with the deadline coming up in a month, there had been no vivid reaction so far; crocodiles lay in spaces with no water, while jungle cats were kept in cages with hardly any place to roam.

Nature Alert, an NGO based in the U.K., is now protesting for better welfare for animals. Sean Whyte told the Mirror: "I can understand different cultures, but this is purely people exploiting wildlife for financial gain illegally.

"I advise anyone visiting Malaysia to stay away from zoos -- or risk becoming deeply upset at what they see."

-The Korea Herald/Asia News Network