Singapore Zoo Facts: All You Need to Know About Singapore’s Best Zoo

Singapore is a miniature city, which is also a country, in Southeast Asia and is located next to Malaysia. Singapore is an ultra-modern city known for its gorgeous skyline filled with skyscrapers, futuristic gardens where nature meets technology, high-end shopping malls and boutiques, leading business and financial centers, the best airport in the world, and a high standard of living. But what makes Singapore truly special is that it has strived to preserve nature and its inhabitants in various ways. One example of the same is the Singapore Zoo. Opened almost five decades ago, the Singapore Zoo is still one of the most popular tourist destinations in this city-state, and a favorite part of almost all Singapore holiday packages. Here you will get to learn some interesting facts about Singapore Zoo.

History and Background Facts about Singapore Zoo

Image Credit : mandai.com

•  The Singapore Zoo is the oldest permanent public zoo in the city.
•  The Singapore Zoo opened its doors to the public on June 27, 1973.
•  Earlier, it was called Mandai Zoo or Singapore Zoological Gardens
•  Singapore Zoo is spread around an area of 69 acres of land. It is a part of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which also includes Night Safari, Bird Paradise, and River Wonders.
•  At the time of inauguration, the zoo was home to 272 animals belonging to 72 species. Due to constant preservation and conservation efforts, the population of the zoo is more than 4200 animals.

Special Features of Singapore Zoo

Not a Traditional Zoo

The word ‘zoo’ may bring images of animals caged behind bars. But that is not the reality of Singapore Zoo. This zoo has an open concept. The zoo is divided into different zones, each designed to give the animals a habitat that is as close as possible to their natural habitat. The animals are not enclosed in cages. Rather, they run and thrive in open spaces that look and feel like their natural surroundings with invisible barriers.

Unique Zones

The entire zoo is divided into different zones, each representing a particular geographical location or natural habitat of certain animals. Some of the zones you get to see here are as follows:

• Fragile Forest: A biodome that encompasses a tropical rainforest within it, the Fragile Forest is home to tropical birds, small mammals, and an array of invertebrates and amphibians.
• Australasia: In this zone, you will get to meet animal species from Australia and New Guinea. Kangaroos and wallabies are some of the inhabitants here.
• Primate Kingdom: The Primate Kingdom is a zone dedicated to different varieties of primates. Here you will get to see chimpanzees, orangutans, white faced saki monkeys, gibbons, mandrills, Javan langurs, and more.
• Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia: Familiarize yourself with the Ethiopian highlands, where you get to see animals native to the land like Black-backed jackals, Nubian Ibex, Hamadryas Baboons, and more.
• Elephants of Asia: Within these Burmese-style exhibit, you get to see giant elephants from India and Sri Lanka. Apart from feeding these giant creatures, you will also get to know about their conservation challenges.
• Reptile Kingdom: Reptile Kingdom is the world of reptiles, where you will get to see giant tortoises, Komodo dragons, crocodiles, snakes, and more.
• KidzWorld: If you have a little one who is fond of animals, a tour of the KidzWorld is a must. From feeding animals to interactive learning experiences, this zone offers a treasure chest of animal experiences to kids.
• Wild Africa: The African continent is known for its rich fauna, and you get to see the inhabitants of African Savannah here. Some of the animals in Wild Africa are zebras, cheetahs, white rhinoceros, African lions, African painted dogs, meerkats, etc.
•  Treetops Trails: Treetops Trails entail elevated boardwalks that give you a glimpse into the life of tree-dwelling beings like gharials, Siamangs, and more.
•  Tortoise Shell-ter: The Tortoise Shell-ter at the Singapore Zoo is home to some of the most unique and even rare species of tortoises.
•  Orangutan Island and Boardwalk: This zone is entirely dedicated to the playful orangutans, and you will be to see them playing, climbing, and swinging around.

Animal Diversity Facts

Image Credit : mandai.com

One of the most interesting Singapore Zoo facts is that it has more than 300 species with a population of around 4200 animals. 34% of the zoo’s population consists of endangered species, thanks to wildlife rescue and conservation efforts of the zoo. Some of the notable animals of the Singapore Zoo are orangutans, white tigers, African lions, Asian elephants, Komodo dragon, grey kangaroo, Estuarine crocodile, white rhinoceros, zebra, sun bear, and more.

Visitor Experiences Facts

Apart from watching the animals in their habitats, Singapore Zoo also offers some amazing experiences.

Animal Presentations: One of the most fascinating experiences you can have in Singapore Zoo are the animal presentations. During these sessions, you get to watch the inhabitants of the zoo showcasing their amazing talents along with their trainers. The best part is that these presentations are free. You can watch them using your Singapore Zoo tickets.

Animal Feeding: As a guest visiting the Singapore Zoo, you can have an interactive experience by choosing to feed one of the animals in the zoo. Animal feeding sessions are available for elephants, zebra, white rhinoceros, giant tortoise, cassowary, shorebird, etc.

Keeper Talks: Take a walk with the keepers of the zoo, who will give you all the information about the animals in the zoo. You will also get to know about the preservation efforts made by the zoo during these talks.

Zookeeper for a Day: Kids (above the age of 13 years) and adults can get the opportunity to become a zookeeper for a day and learn the ropes of taking care of the animals in the zoo.

Facts on Singapore Zoo Conservation Efforts

Singapore Zoo is not a mere place where people go to watch wild animals. Rather, it is a wildlife park that has always aimed at and continues to make a difference in protecting the animals and conserving the environment. The zoo constantly makes efforts to conserve the biodiversity of the planet. This is done by ensuring that all animals remain safe and secure. The zoo is also involved rescuing, protecting, and rehabilitating endangered animals like white rhinoceros, orangutans, cotton-top tamarins, and more.

Fun Facts about Singapore Zoo

•  One of the interesting facts about Singapore Zoo is that it saw one million visitors in the first 17 months of its opening. Mr. Peter Tan was the one-millionth visitor, who was rewarded with a Hitachi color TV. Today, the zoo sees two million visitors per year.
• Singapore Zoo has a large population of orangutans. In fact, one of the orangutans, Ah Meng, rose to fame as she became the only non-human to receive the Singapore Tourism Ambassador Award in 1992.
• The oldest inhabitant of the Singapore is 82 years old. It is an Aldabra Giant Tortoise named Astove. He weighs 300 kilograms and is quite popular for his gentle nature.

FAQs about Singapore Zoo

1. What is the opening and closing hours of Singapore Zoo?

Singapore Zoo opens at 8.30 in the morning and closes at 6 in the evening.

2. What are the days of operation for Singapore Zoo?

Singapore Zoo is open seven days of the week.

3. What is the address of Singapore Zoo?

The address of Singapore Zoo is 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826.

4. When is the ideal time to visit Singapore Zoo?

If you want to avoid crowds, it is best not to visit during the weekends. Stick to weekdays. Moreover, early morning, as soon as the zoo opens, is the best time to visit Singapore Zoo.

5. Are guided tours available in Singapore Zoo?

Yes. Guided tours are available in Singapore. You can opt for guided tram rides if you do not want to walk around the place.

6. Does Singapore Zoo allow outside food and drinks?

No. Singapore Zoo does not allow outside food and drinks. Inside the zoo, you will find numerous cafes, vending machines, and food courts where you can buy food and drinks.

7. Is Singapore Zoo accessible?

Yes, Singapore Zoo is accessible. The entire place can be accessed using wheelchairs.

Conclusion

Visiting Singapore Zoo is one of the best things to do in Singapore, especially if you are visiting the city with your kids. If you are planning a holiday to this city, one of the best tips for amazing Singapore holiday is to book your tickets to the Singapore Zoo in advance so that you do not miss on visiting this place.