Singapore Zoo: Be A Friend Of Wildlife

I just booked a flight to Sydney, Australia and since our airline is Scoot, we have a 24-hour layover at Singapore. Planning a one-day itinerary in the Merlion city brings back memories from our Singapore tour 15 years ago,  including our visit at Singapore Zoo. This made me look at our old photos, which has a lot of stories to tell.

Established in 1973, Singapore Zoo is considered as the world’s best rainforest zoo since it is located in the heavily forested area of the city. It is operated by the Mandai Wildlife Group, which also manages the neighbouring Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild Park. All five parks make up the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, the country’s designated centers for rescued wildlife that is committed to conservation and sustainability. In fact, in 2014 alone, the zoo successfully bred over 100 animals. Many of them endangered or threatened in the wild.

Through the photos and memories I created when I was still ten years old, let me share my Singapore Zoo experience.

Singapore Zoo is known to exhibit animals in naturalistic enclosure covered with hidden barriers, moats and glass between the animals and visitors. In this way, guests can have a closer approach with the animals. You can notice them on zones like Australasia, an area which features a walkthrough habitat of Grey Kangaroo, Tree Kangaroo, Wallaby and Cassowary.

I’m suprised that I became this close to orangutans before! I learned that the zoo has a boardwalk and island for free-ranging orangutans that let this encounter happen. I noticed that there are a lot of other primates here like langurs, baboons, tamarins, lemurs, Siamangs, gibbons, chimpanzees, mangabeys and monkeys. It’s the family with the most number of species in Singapore Zoo. Plus, Singapore zoo houses the largest captive colony of orangutans in the world! In fact, a female Sumatran orangutan, named Ah Meng, is the tourism icon of Singapore.

Singapore Zoo is proud to have Inuka, the first and only polar bear to be born in tropics. It is the result of an extensive breeding program run by the zoo. For 27 years, Inuka, together with his parents, had enjoyed the zoo’s air-conditioned ice cave with a three-meter deep pool. However, when he died in 2018, the zoo decided that it will not import anymore Arctic animals as it is planning to become a rainforest-themed zoo. After all, it’s the best thing to do because polar bears aren’t supposed to be in tropical country.

Apart from Ah Meng and Inuka, Anusha, the elephant, is also a celebrity in Singapore Zoo. It’s the first elephant in the zoo until a herd was created and Elephants of Asia section formed. The herd is a mix of Indian, Sumatran and Sti Lankan. Nestled in a quiet nook of the zoo, Elephants of Asia lets guests enjoy the panoramic view of the reservoir while watching the elephants play.

The zoo conducts three animal shows per day that flaunts the amazing talents of the animals alongside their trainers. The Rainforest Fights Back is a presentation for snakes and other rainforest animals. The Animal Friends lets you play with domesticated animals. The Splash Safari features the resident sea lion. I don’t remember watching an animal show during our visit but I know I got to learn and listen to an interactive session from a zoo keeper, which was also entertaining.

Visiting the zoo can also be a great chance to feed the wild animals by yourself. It was one of the things the ten year-old me enjoyed, especially with these rhinos. These white rhinoceros are said to be living mowers of grass but when I held a slice of honeydew to their mouth, the feel of their breath on my hand, as they take the treat, warmed my heart. Guests can also do this to elephants, giraffes, goats, tortoises and zebras.

Pony riding is also offered in the zoo. People who avail this activity will be guided through the zoo’s forest trail. Although I’m aware that ponies can naturally pull or carry heavy loads, my conscience won’t allow me to ride one. Knowing how intelligent and friendly these adorable horses are is enough to satisfy my encounter with them. They are amazingly patient and tame. Can I take one home?

Since the size of the zoo isn’t a joke, it’s advisable to take the complementary tram ride from time to time to explore the park at a more relaxed pace. After all, I don’t think the whole zoo can be seen in just one day without the tram and it can be tiring to just walk all day, especially at a hot and humid weather. Besides, riding the tram is educational as we get to hear the animal noises and, at the same time, listen to their fantastic stories that play in the car’s radio.

Here are the rest of the animals that my camera was able to capture 15 years ago. As I said, the zoo is gigantic! It’s impossible to meet all the species in one day, even after riding the tram. It’s a home to over 300 species so I assume that there are thousands of animals taking shelter here. The zoo has zones that replicate diverse animal habitats around the world.

Before leaving, Ben and Jerry’s gave us a nice treat to end our day at Singapore Zoo. Their creamy and delicious ice cream flavors were loved by kids and adults alike. But if you’re looking for heavy meals, there are more restaurants scattered around the compound. There are also gift shops that sells cute plush toys and nature-themed mementos that can be great souvenirs to bring home.