The Singapore Zoo: 17 Facts You Need to Know

Singapore Zoo is located in a rainforest environment and houses more than 2,800 animals from more than 300 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. 

The park also features the world's first free-range orangutan habitat in a zoo. 

Enjoy an exciting open-air party at Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife, an internationally acclaimed, award-winning program that offers an exciting experience with orangutans. The fun is endless with interesting animal presentations, photography with animals and more!

Here are the 17 facts you need to know about the Singapore Zoo.

# 1. The Singapore Zoo was opened in 1973

The Singapore Zoo (formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens) was opened in 1973 with a modest collection of around 300 animals of around 70 species.

# 2. The Singapore Zoo uses an 'open concept'

Located on the promontory of the Seletar Reservoir, the Singapore zoo adopts an "open concept" in which the animals are housed in open enclosures designed to resemble their natural habitats.

# 3. The Singapore Zoo currently receives more than 1.7 million visitors every year

The zoo currently receives more than 1.7 million visitors each year and now houses more than 2,800 animals representing more than 300 species, 26 percent of which are threatened. 

The zoo has achieved a number of successes in the breeding of endangered species and has, over time, established itself as one of the best rainforest zoos in the world.

# 4. Breakfast with an orangutan, one of the innovative programs of Singapore Zoo

The zoo constantly strives to improve its programs and facilities. 

One of the innovative programs initiated by the zoo in May 1982 was the very popular Breakfast with an Orang Utan.

# 5. The Singapore Zoo has an amphitheatre for holding animal shows

On November 9, 1985, the zoo opened its first amphitheatre for holding animal shows. 

The popular animal shows organized by the zoo, such as the sea lions, elephants, orangutans and snake shows, have evolved into professional and entertaining programs that are very educational in nature.

# 6. It has walk-through exhibitions

The first walk-through exhibition of the zoo, Fragile Forest, was opened to the public on November 1998.

20 One of the world's largest ecosystem enclosures, the exhibition is a re-creation of the rainforest and features species such as lemurs, sloths, flying foxes and butterflies.

A series of major innovations took place after 2000. These included the creation of a freely accessible habitat for orangutans in April 2006 for visitors to get up close and personal with the orangutans, 22 and the construction of the new Splash. 

Amphitheatre in 2007, with a new Splash Safari Show, unveiled on 26 May.

In July 2007 a new Sumatran exhibition for orangutans was opened and a new and much larger exhibition with sun bears completed. 

Rainforest Kidzworld, which covers the area of ​​the former Children's World Animal Land, was opened on November 14, 2008. 

The S $ 8 million Frozen Tundra - the new home of the polar bear Inuka - was unveiled on May 29, 2013. It was designed to resemble the arctic habitat.

# 7. Animal attractions and thematic zones

The animal population and the number of animal species in the Singapore Zoo have increased considerably over the years. When the zoo was first opened in 1973, it had around 300 animals of around 70 species.

31 By the mid-1980s, the animal population had grown to around 1,700 with representatives of around 170 species.32 Currently, the zoo has more than 2,800 animals that have more than 300 species. 

# 8. Important animals found at the zoo

Important animals found at the zoo are Asian elephants, white tigers, freely accessible orangutans, chimpanzees, probosci's monkeys, pygmy hippos, otters, Malayan tapirs, sun bears, crocodiles and naked mole rats.

# 9. The main attractions of the zoo are the 11 theme zones.

Each zone has unique interactions and relationships between the different plant and animal species with their environment. 

The 11 zones are Frozen Tundra, Wild Africa, Fragile Forest, Australian Outback, Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia, Treetops Trail, Gibbon Island, Primate Kingdom, Reptile Garden, Critters Longhouse, as well as the Tropical Crops & Orchid Garden.

# 10. Ah Meng is the most famous resident in the history of the Singapore Zoo:

The most famous resident in the history of the Singapore Zoo is Ah Meng, the female Sumatran orangutan. 

Mixing the animal exhibition with an Orangutan program, Ah Meng became famous worldwide and was featured in countless travel programs, documentaries and printed articles. 

In her life, she had met celebrities - Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson - and even royalties - the British prince Philip. 

In 1992, Ah Meng became the first and only non-human recipient of the Special Tourism Ambassador Award from the then Singapore Tourism Promotion Board. Ah Meng died on 8 February 2008 at the age of 48.

# 11. Nature conservation and research

The Singapore Zoo has achieved countless breakthroughs in its captive breeding programs over the past 40 years. The birth of his first baby orangutan took place on January 20, 1975, a rare event for orangutans in captivity at that time. 

The first known elk birth in Southeast Asia also took place in the same year.41 On December 26, 1990, the zoo witnessed the birth of Inuka, the first polar bear cub born in the tropics.

On November 15, 2009, the first Komodo dragon was successfully hatched. in the zoo after many failed attempts to breed the endangered reptile. 

The boy was the first in Asia outside the natural habitat of the reptile - Indonesia.

In addition, the zoo has been successful in breeding a number of critically endangered species, including the river turtle, Sumatran orangutan and cotton tamarin.

# 12. 26 percent of the animal species of the zoo is threatened

Currently, 26 percent of the animal species of the zoo are endangered. 

Over the years, the zoo has established itself as a leading zoological facility for the management and breeding of endangered Asian primates in captivity.

# 13. It has Wildlife Healthcare and Research Center

The centre has a viewing gallery for visitors to observe the animal surgery and treatment areas, as well as interactive displays to inform visitors about the work of veterinarians at the zoo.

14. The zoo has educational and outreach programs.

Over time, the zoo has expanded its educational and outreach programs. 

As part of the current effort to transform itself into a learning zoo, a wide range of educational programs for young children, students and families were introduced. 

These programs include day and night camps, workshops and behind-the-scenes tours. The Kidzranger Tour, for example, is a practical educational program that allows children to become animal caretakers and gain access to restricted areas in the Rainforest Kidzworld.

15. A world-class zoo and a top tourist attraction

In addition to serving as a recreational location and a learning zoo for Singaporeans, the Singapore Zoo has also become a popular tourist attraction, with more than 1.7 million visitors a year.

16. Award-winning zoo

With its constant pursuit of excellence, the zoo has received numerous awards and awards over the last four decades, establishing itself as one of the world's best rainforest zoos.

17. Address of The Singapore Zoo

80 Mandai Lake Road

Singapore 729826

Unofficial name: Mandai Zoo

Website: https://www.wrs.com.sg/en/singapore-zoo.html


Read More about The Singapore Zoo: 

1. Singapore Zoo
2. Singapore Zoo - World's Best Rainforest Zoo - Wildlife Reserves Singapore
3. Singapore Zoo - Wikipedia