Singapore is a destination that always has something up its sleeve for its visitors to enjoy. It is a modern city, but within it, you can explore a plethora of attractions, be it cultural or nature-themed.
Speaking of nature, did you know Singapore is the smallest country in the world that has a rainforest embedded in it? That’s right! The Mandai Reserve, tucked in the north of Singapore, is shrouded by a dense tropical forest and home to Singapore Zoo. It is one of the reasons why Singapore Zoo is also known as a rainforest zoo.
Within these natural woodlands, Singapore Zoo forms a cosy habitat for over 4000 animals. Though manicured into different zones, the experience feels like a mild trek through a natural forest, watching animals go about their daily life nonchalantly in open enclosures. But that’s not all! Singapore Zoo animal shows also form an integral part of the visitor experience. Read on to know more.
Singapore Zoo Facts
Before we dive in, let’s get to know a bit more about this fascinating wildlife attraction in Singapore.
- The Singapore Zoo spans 28 hectares and welcomed guests in 1973 with just 270 animals. Today, it is home to 4200 animals.
- It is a favourite inclusion in Singapore packages and is one of the most visited attractions in Singapore. Annually, over one million people visit this Singapore wildlife attraction.
- The Singapore Zoo shares the space of the verdant Mandai Reserve with other attractions like Night Safari Singapore, River Wonders, Rainforest Wild, and Bird Paradise. This collection of wildlife attractions are some of the best places to visit in Singapore, suited for all types of tourists.
- The Singapore Zoo is the only zoo in the world with a free-ranging orangutan habitat, accommodating the largest colony of captive orangutans in the world.
- It is tagged as one of the finest, innovative wildlife attractions because it promotes natural habitats and ecosystem-like conditions for the animals. Most of the experiences are open-air exhibits.
Best Singapore Animal Shows To Check Out
Once you step inside Singapore Zoo, chances are you might forget that you are spending time in a modern city. What makes this illusion concrete is how the city’s high-rises and traffic bustle are replaced by the sounds of chirps and calls of the birds, mimicking a real wilderness exploration. Also, the interactions you have with the animals in various ways make you forget about the city.
Among the many things to do in Singapore, spotting the fascinating creatures of nature and watching them in delightful presentations and shows will definitely top the list for kids!
These shows are the best ones to check out:
Singapore Zoo Animal Friends Presentation
Location: Animal Buddies Theatre, KidzWorld
Timings: 11:00 am & 2:00 pm
Check out a fantastic show put forth by Benji – the Golden Retriever, Hope – the oldest dog in the show, along with Katie and George – snow-white Japanese Spitzes. Together, they guarantee a time spent in hilarious laughter and pure joy. The show is all about everyday animals showing off their quirks, with trainers who nudge them playfully to show their funny side. It is a delight to watch, especially for the kids!
Dance Your Heart Out!
Location: Animal Buddies Theatre, KidzWorld
Timing: Daily at 4:00 pm.
Ever had a dance class where your instructors were animals? At Singapore Zoo, learn to groove to the beat in the signature steps of different animal species who break out into their favourite moves, guided by a human instructor, in a 10-minute, high-energy dance-along session. We bet you will surely put these moves to use at some party night, amusing your friends while reminiscing about the wonderful time you had at the Singapore Zoo!
Into The Wild
Location: Shaw Amphitheatre
Timings: Daily at noon and 2:30 pm.
Make sure you get to Shaw Amphitheatre promptly on time to settle on a bench with a good view and watch ‘Into the Wild,’ a brand-new animal presentation revolving around fascinating creatures such as the Ring-tailed Lemur, Hog Badger, and Indian Crested Porcupine. This animal show in Singapore Zoo offers a peek into the animals’ behaviour and educates on how they live and survive in their wild habitat. It is an amazing way to view interesting animals up front while getting to know small quirks, facts, and smart tactics about them through highly knowledgeable trainers. The show lasts for 25 to 30 minutes and will leave you wanting more after the final act.
Splash Safari
Location: Shaw Amphitheatre
Timings: Daily 10:30 am and 5:00 pm
Circle back to the Shaw Amphitheatre to catch a grand California sea lion in a jaunty mood to entertain you. Watch this gentle creature glide in and take centre stage, drawing gasps of awe from you as it entertains you for the next 10 to 20 minutes. It will have you fall in love with it as it welcomes you with joyful claps, balances a ball perfectly on its nose, and belly-slides into the pool, swimming and splashing around. Make sure you have a poncho or rain-gear with you if you are seated in the front row, as splashes from the sea lion’s exuberant plunges into the pool are sure to leave you soaking wet.
The above-mentioned shows are a great way to pause your wildlife exploration in the zoo for a while and enjoy a playful time with the cute animal friends. And these are absolutely free to enjoy! All you need to do is be at the right place at the right time to enjoy the show.
Apart from these shows, the Singapore Zoo offers a lot of activities. These, however, are not included in the Singapore Zoo tickets. Hence, you have to purchase them additionally as add-ons.
Feeding shows
Join with fellow visitors for feeding shows, where you can watch keepers providing lunch to a bunch of Malayan Flying Foxes, Ring-tailed Lemurs, or Linne’s Two-toed Sloths. Alternatively, there are shows where keepers hand out snacks that you can hand-feed to harmless birds like cassowaries or the gentle giants of the jungle, such as elephants and giraffes. The feeding shows happen in selected enclosures at specific time slots.
Zoo Keeper for a Day
This one is for the little wildlife enthusiasts. Let kids sign up to be a zookeeper for a day! This is an amazing way to shadow a zookeeper, learn about their responsibilities, watch them feed, pet, and even get a chance to take the responsibility firsthand. For kids, they get a fully immersive wildlife experience and finally understand how zoos work and why zoo keepers love their job so much! The Singapore Zoo has two ‘Zoo Keeper of the Day’ experiences. The ‘Junior’ edition is apt for kids who are above the age of 13 years. The ‘Kid’ edition, on the other hand, allows tiny visitors aged 6 to 12 years to take the role of zoo keepers and mingle with gentle animals.
Keeper Talk
Catch Keeper Talk experiences at various zones such as Wild Africa, the Biodome Observation Deck, Fragile Forest, Lion Lookout, and Leopard Trail, where the keepers share deep insights about the animals in their enclosures. This opens a fascinating world of knowledge about the wildlife that you were not aware of before. This interactive session is not only a fun way to learn about animal behaviour but also provides unforgettable facts for you to take back.
Conclusion
Singapore Zoo isn’t just a zoo. It is a slice of the wild tucked into a modern destination, where animals roam freely. It welcomes you to get an insight into their lives, educates you as well and delights you through zoo animal shows. These shows not only entertain but also educate visitors about wildlife conservation and allow visitors to witness the witty side and natural behaviours of various species. Add a few of these shows to your Singapore Zoo trip, as through these interactive presentations, you can gain a newfound, deeper appreciation for the animal kingdom.
