Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Singapore Zoo

Singapore zoo, Singapore. Photo by pelican. WIKIMEDIA

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Singapore Zoo

The Singapore zoo was opened in 1973. It is located on the margins of the upper Seletar Reservoir. It is within Singapore’s heavily forested central catchment area.

The zoo is formerly known as the Singapore zoological Gardens or Mandai Zoo. It occupies 28 hectares (69 acres). The zoo was built for $9 million which was granted by the government of Singapore.

The zoo is operated by the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Within the zoo, there are about 315 species of animals. 16 per cent are considered to be a threatened species.

The zoo attracts over 2 million visitors every year. It has always exhibited animals in naturalist exhibits. Singapore zoo has the largest captive colony of orangutans in the world. It has been highly ranked by various international metrics.

Let’s learn more interesting facts about the Singapore zoo and why you should arrange a visit.

1. Zoo Officially Opened on June 27, 1973, with a Collection of 272 Animals from 72 Species

The idea of setting up a Singapore zoo was conceived in 1968. The idea was initiated by then Public Utilities Board Chairman Ong Swee Law.

He set up aside 88 ha (220 acres) of land for the construction of a zoological garden. He envisioned a modern haven for animals kept in open-type enclosures. Amid landscaped gardens that resemble their natural habitat.

The zoo was officially opened on 27 June 1973. Its first collection was 270 animals from over 72 species. It had a staff of 130. By 1990, the zoo had increased its animals from more than 169 species that lived in social groups.

2. Singapore Zoo Animals are Housed in Large Enclosures Instead of Cages

An emu in the Singapore Zoo. Photo by Mike384. WIKIMEDIA

The lack of caging means visitors can see the animals almost eye to eye without unsightly bars and fences, while both humans and animals remain completely safe

This is the reason why you should plan a visit to the zoo. Most Singapore zoo animals are not kept in cages. They are housed in large enclosures with fences. This enables visitors to see the animals almost eye to eye.

Inside the fences is a 2-to-3 metre wild mot that blocks the animals from jumping out. Some of the caging and wires are around the moat to prevent animals that venture outside their enclosure, such as cheetahs.

Additionally, there is a path on one called the Fragile Forest. This enables visitors to stroll along. There is no barrier from animals inside.

While visitors are touring, they walk along the path. You can see bright red and green parrots fly above your head. You are also able to spot animals swinging alongside you in tree branches and squirrels and mouse dear hopping around.

However, the zoo has strict rules to enable this level of freedom. Visitors are not around to feed or touch animals unless directed by a staff member.

3. One of the Major Attractions at The Zoo is the Children’s World

Singapore Zoo. Photo by Rojypala. WIKIMEDIA

It is divided into a play area and an animal area. There are miniature trains that link the two areas. The children enjoy a 10 minutes ride that gives a breathtaking view of the Seletar Reservoir adjoining the zoo.

The animals are domesticated animals such as cows, sheep, goats, pigs rabbits horses and ducks are on display. Children also enjoy the hands’ experience with some baby animals.

Additionally, milking demonstrations of cows are held twice a day. They also get to enjoy sheep’s roundup as well. They watch sheep and sheepdogs in action. A demonstration of the roles of these animals is done.

4. It has an Amphitheatre for Animals Presentation

Entrance to Singapore Zoo. Photo by Dan Arndt. WIKIMEDIA

The theatre was built in 1985. It incorporates the behaviour of the animals and education. The education is about wildlife conservation entertainingly.

The show is also a way of stimulating animals’ minds to fight boredom. Moreover, visitors are allowed to take rides on Elephants and Camels. Visitors also are allowed to pose for photographs with Orangutans, chimpanzees and snakes.

5. Singapore Zoo has Exhibition of Rare Species

White Tigers. Photo by Nigel Swales. WIKIMEDIA

In 1987, the zoo introduced a special loan exhibit. Animals on loan from other zoos are displayed for a short period.

The first animals to be displayed in these exhibits are the rare golden monkey. It attracted more than half a million people to the zoo.

Additionally, a display of white tigers from the Cincinnati zoo and Botanical Garden. There is also a display of Russian brown bears from Moscow and Koalas.

6. Singapore Zoo has the World’s Largest Underwater Viewing Gallery

Singapore zoo. Photo by Aungphone. WIKIMEDIA

The zoo has an underwater Viewing of various animals such as crocodiles. The exhibit has an area of 10,750 square feet. Visitors get a chance of viewing these inspiring creatures in a Mangrove-like habitat.

Furthermore, visitors can view several species of Free-flying birds in the exhibit. These are the Heron, the cattle egret Scarlett, glossy Ibises and hammer headstock that is seen flying in the exhibit or ever perched on the crocodiles as in the wild.

7. The First Plant Exhibit is at the Singapore Zoo

The Heliconia valley was introduced in 1990. This is a Zoo policy to provide visitors with a garden setting whereby plants and animals can be viewed simultaneously.

It comprises an area of 23,700 square feet. It features 22 varieties of Heliconia plants which bloom in yellow, orange or pink.

The planting of exotic forms and rare palms alongside the Heliconia adds an aesthetic appeal to the exhibit. Tropical crops plantation display a wide range of cash crops, vegetables, spices and aquatic plants.

Moreover, the exhibit has a footpath to enable visitors a good view. It has 50 species of edible plants such as nutmeg, pepper, passion fruits and snake gourds.

8. World’s Largest Nocturnal Safari Park was Opened at Singapore Zoo

It was opened on May 3 1994. The 40-hectare Night safari park Houses 1,000 nocturnal creatures. Some are from fierce predators to mid-forest dwellers

These are spotted Hyena, Golden cal, Indochinese Tiger, Malayan Tapir and Owston’s civet. These species can be seen in naturalistic habitats under subtle, moon glow lighting.

9. The Zoo had to Deal with Several Episodes Of Animals Escaping in its Formative Years

Singapore zoo, Singapore. Photo by pelican. WIKIMEDIA

Four months before the opening of the zoo, two sun Bears escaped. They were followed by a black panther a few days later.

During the hunt for the panther, officers shot a black animal in the forest. It turned out to be one of the sun Bears. Nevertheless, the panther suffocated to death in an attempt to scare it into nets using fire

Congo the hippopotamus escaped on January 14 1974. It stayed in the upper Seletar Reservoir for 52 days. Luckily, it was lured into a crate with Bananas and sweet potatoes. An antelope also wandered off the same year.

In 2004, Ramba the chimpanzee drowned in the upper Seletar Reservoir. This after escaping from its enclosure.

Additionally, in 2005, Medan, a female Borneo Orang Utan and the daughter of Ah Meng broke away from the zookeeper during a photography session. She eventually came down on her due to the bananas and oranges offered by keepers.

10. Singapore Zoo has no Gorillas

Back in the 1980s, the Singapore zoo had four male Gorillas from Europe. They were housed in a specious outdoor habitat.

Unfortunately, they all succumbed to a mysterious disease. They died of a rare soil disease called Melioidosis. Found in contaminated water and soil.

In 1990, the zoo imported other two male Gorillas. They placed them indoors with no direct contact with soil. However, one of them Died from the same disease.

The Gorilla died due to the fine soil being blown in from the ventilation window. They saved the second one by sending it back.

There are many means of transport to the zoo. It is currently served by the nearby Springleaf MRT station on the Thomson–East Coast line. Other ways of getting to the zoo from an MRT station are via bus services from either Choa Chu Kang MRT/LRT station, Khatib MRT station, or Ang Mo Kio MRT station.