MOU PAVES THE WAY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF JOINT PROJECTS IN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY EDUCATION

- WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE JOINS FORCES WITH REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC
- YOUTHS TO GET HANDS-ON CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE WITH INKING OF AGREEMENT

Singapore, 9 November 2012 — Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) and Republic Polytechnic (RP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding today, paving the way for RP students to hone their technical and service skills at some of Singapore’s finest attractions – Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, Singapore Zoo and the upcoming River Safari.

The three-year partnership will provide training and work opportunities at WRS’ parks for RP students in applied science for environmental, conservation, veterinary and animal husbandry fields, information and communications technology, hospitality and health and leisure.

RP will also work with WRS on continual learning programmes for WRS employees through knowledge-based training, professional development and qualifications upgrading opportunities at the polytechnic.

Both parties will also explore the possibility of involving the students as ambassadors and facilitators for public learning and enrichment activities such as talks and workshops on environmental and conservation awareness.

The MOU formalises the professional relationship between the two institutions that have been collaborating on a series of projects since 2009. These include the production of educational documentary videos on the year of the bats, common palm civets, and rainforest conservation; as well as developing of interactive flash games and quiz kiosk in Jurong Bird Park to enhance visitors’ experience and knowledge to the exhibits and subject matters.

In the conservation effort of endangered animals, RP students had previously assisted in analysis work relating to mating habits and estruses cycles of the red-shanked Douc langur and sunda pangolin in captivity through internships and final year projects with WRS.

“The signing of the MOU strengthens the close partnership between WRS and RP; and is part of Republic Polytechnic’s continued efforts to enhance students’ overall learning with industry attachments. The two organisations will enhance cooperation in areas such as developing manpower for themed-attraction and hospitality management, joint projects in wildlife conservation, and ecology education. Republic Polytechnic students will have a chance to be deployed as interns for various roles at the four WRS attractions,” said Mr Yeo Li Pheow, Principal/CEO, Republic Polytechnic.

Mr Lee Meng Tat, CEO, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said, “As one of the leading wildlife institutions in the world, we seek to continually inspire an appreciation of nature through exciting and meaningful wildlife experiences. The collaboration with RP allows us to engage youths in conservation efforts, and through this we hope they will in turn spread the message. In addition, we are confident that the practical, hands-on working experience in our parks will better prepare participating RP students for their future career paths.”

WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE HOSTS 4TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON ZOOKEEPING

GLOBAL CONGRESS TO BE HELD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ASIA

Singapore, 10 September 2012 – This week, more than 240 zookeepers from 32 countries will descend on Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s parks for the 4th International Congress on Zookeeping. This is the first time the global congress, organised in conjunction with the International Congress of Zookeepers (ICZ)*, will be held in Asia.

Themed “Many Voices, One Calling”, the thrice-yearly conference, brings together zoo professionals from around the world to enhance the professionalism of zookeepers and the welfare of the wild animals in their care, and promote awareness and actions that will contribute to the preservation of wildlife everywhere.

Held from 9-13 September this year, most of the conference proceedings will take place in Jurong Bird Park. However, workshops will be held in Night Safari and Singapore Zoo and take delegates behind the scenes for more practical hands on sessions with some of the parks’ residents such as the Malayan tapirs, primates, amphibians and reptiles.

“Organising an international global conference of this scale for zookeepers is a significant milestone for Wildlife Reserves Singapore, and is in line with our vision to be the leading wildlife conservation, education and recreation institution in the world. This congress is an excellent platform for keepers from all over the world to brainstorm, explore and eventually pursue other avenues to bring the art of zookeeping to an even more pronounced level,” said Ms Claire Chiang, Chairman, Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

Ms Liz Romer of the ICZ Steering Committee, said: “The idea of holding the conference in Singapore surfaced at the second instalment on the Gold Coast in 2006. We knew we made the right decision to hold it here as the three Wildlife Reserves Singapore parks offer many opportunities for practical sharing of best practices in a conducive environment. All the participants are eagerly waiting for this conference to start!”

In recent years, Wildlife Reserves Singapore has organised various conferences and workshops such as the first Asian Primate Conservation Workshop, Amphibian Conservation Workshop, regional workshop on turtle conservation and the 1st Southeast Asian Animal Enrichment and Training Workshop.

* ICZ is run by a steering committee that consists 18 members representing the world’s nine professional keeper associations. They have met once a year since 2000 to coordinate the development of an international association that will promote professional animal care throughout the world. More information is available at http://www.iczoo.org

GIANT PANDAS ARRIVE SAFELY IN SINGAPORE

Singapore, 6 September 2012 – Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) today announced that the two giant pandas from China have arrived safely. The giant pandas, Kai Kai (凯凯) and Jia Jia (嘉嘉), touched down at Changi Airport on board a Singapore Airlines Cargo Boeing 747 freighter at 8.20am after a five-hour flight.

“We are delighted that Kai Kai and Jia Jia have reached Singapore safe and sound. It is an honour to be entrusted with two of China’s national treasures and their arrival symbolises the strong ties and deep friendship between Singapore and China. It is an exciting time for tourism in Singapore, with the opening of new attractions like the River Safari. Kai Kai and Jia Jia will certainly generate great interest and excitement for visitors and Singaporeans alike. We will continue to strengthen our tourism value proposition with new and diversified tourism offerings to grow the tourism sector,” says Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry.

“With this captivating species as one of the main attractions at River Safari, we are anticipating at least 850,000 visitors annually. Through this collaborative programme with China Wildlife Conservation Association, WRS now has another opportunity to boost greater interest in the area of wildlife conservation by bringing visitors up close to the two giant pandas and hopefully inspiring them to care for threatened wildlife ecosystems around the world”, said Ms Claire Chiang, Chairman of WRS.

CapitaLand Limited, one of Asia’s largest real estate companies with a strong presence in China for over 15 years, has pledged a conservation donation to support the 10-year collaborative programme.

Mr Liew Mun Leong, President and CEO of CapitaLand Group, and Director of CapitaLand Hope Foundation, said: “CapitaLand’s role as the Presenting Sponsor and Conservation Donor of the Giant Panda Collaborative Programme resonates with the Group’s core values of ‘People’ and ‘Community’. The programme provides an excellent platform to enhance cultural exchange and understanding between Singapore and China, and promote wildlife conservation education, CapitaLand is committed to sustainability in all our development projects in the geographies we operate and we are pleased to be part of this meaningful effort to conserve and share the beauty of wildlife with our future generations.”

Singapore Airlines, Official Airline Sponsor, has provided transportation for the pandas as well as air tickets for training and exchange programmes involving the team of panda caretakers’ from both Singapore and China.

“Singapore Airlines is pleased to have transported Kai Kai and Jia Jia comfortably to Singapore. We warmly welcome them to their new home at the River Safari, and are privileged to be playing our part in this significant conservation initiative,” said Mr Goh Choon Phong, CEO, Singapore Airlines.

Upon landing, the giant pandas were received by Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and representatives* from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Singapore; State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China; CapitaLand Limited; CapitaLand Hope Foundation; Singapore Airlines; Temasek Holdings; Singapore Tourism Board; and Wildlife Reserves Singapore, who gathered at the cargo area to welcome the bears. Subsequently, the giant pandas were whisked away in a temperature-controlled truck to their quarantine enclosure in River Safari while the guests continued with the welcome ceremony at the Jet Quay CIP facility at Changi Airport.

During the ceremony, WRS Chairman Ms Claire Chiang presented VIP (Very Important Panda) passes to representatives from the State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China, symbolic of the pandas’ new status as residents of River Safari.

Over at the entrance of River Safari, a crowd of close to 1000 guests and WRS staff were waiting expectantly at the driveway. They cheered enthusiastically as the truck containing the precious pandas approached, led by an escort jeep, six lion dancers and two panda mascots in the likeness of Kai Kai and Jia Jia.

Within 3 hours of landing in Singapore, Kai Kai and Jia Jia were smoothly transferred into their quarantine dens with careful coordination by the Chinese giant panda specialists and WRS zoology and veterinary teams. The team shared that the pair were calm and relaxed throughout the operation.

The giant pandas will be quarantined for a month before being released into their exhibit to explore and familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. Visitors can look forward to visiting Kai Kai and Jia Jia at the giant panda exhibit this December.

Kai Kai and Jia Jia will be in Singapore for 10 years as part of a joint collaboration between China Wildlife Conservation Association and WRS to raise public awareness on wildlife conservation and develop a breeding programme for these endangered animals. There are fewer than 1,600 giant pandas left in the wild. The pair of giant pandas also emphasises the close diplomatic relations between Singapore and China.

Singapore is the ninth country to receive giant pandas from China since 1994.

SQ7168 reveals the precious cargo it’s carrying, two crates containing Kai Kai and Jia Jia, the giant pandas

Panda welcoming party (from left): Mr Ng Chin Hwee, Executive Vice President Human Resources & Operations, Singapore Airlines Chairman SIA Cargo; Ms Zhang Hong Yan, Deputy Director, State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China; Mr Lionel Yeo, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board; Mr David Heng, Senior Managing Director, Investment, Temasek Holdings; Mr Goh Choon Phong, CEO, Singapore Airlines; Mr Liu Yawen, Deputy Director, State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China; Mr Dai Bing, Charge D’affairs, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Singapore; Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry; Ms Claire Chiang, Chairman, Wildlife Reserves Singapore; Mr S R Nathan, former President of Singapore; and Chairman, CapitaLand Hope Foundation; Mr Ng Kee Choe, Chairman, CapitaLand Limited; Mr Liew Mun Leong, President and CEO, CapitaLand Limited; Ms Jennie Chua, Director, CapitaLand Hope Foundation; Mr Xiao Jiang Hua, Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Singapore; Mr Lee Meng Tat, CEO, Wildlife Reserves Singapore are all smiles as they welcome Kai Kai and Jia Jia to Singapore.

Giant key for the giants’ exhibit: Mr Liew Mun Leong, President and CEO, CapitaLand Limited presents a key to Mr Liu Yawen, Deputy Director, State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China. CapitaLand Limited, as the Presenting Sponsor and Conservation Donor of the Giant Panda collaborative programme, has pledged a conservation donation to support the 10-year collaborative programme.

Kai Kai and Jia Jia, the giant panda mascots, lapping up the adoration of the public as they wait for the giant pandas’ arrival at the entrance of River Safari.

Safe and sound: River Safari keepers watch as Kai Kai, one of the pair of giant pandas from China, indulges in his first taste of bamboo after being moved into his den. The two giant pandas will undergo a month long quarantine and will be conditioned to their new habitat before going on public display in December this year.

GIANT PANDAS ARRIVING SINGAPORE SEPTEMBER 6

From left: Giant pandas Kai Kai (male) and Jia Jia (female). PHOTO CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

Singapore, 15 August 2012 – Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) today announced that the two giant pandas from China will be arriving in Singapore on 6 September 2012.

The giant pandas from Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base will be flown to Singapore on board a Singapore Airlines Cargo Boeing 747 freighter and are expected to touch down at Changi Airport at 8.20 am. The two pandas, named Kai Kai (凯凯) and Jia Jia (嘉嘉), will be housed at the Yangtze River zone of the upcoming River Safari, along with other endangered wildlife from China such as the giant salamander and the red panda. The pandas will add new buzz and excitement to the tourism and leisure landscape, for Singaporeans and visitors.

“After many months of careful planning and preparation, we are happy to welcome the giant pandas to Singapore and to their new home at River Safari. The arrival of Kai Kai and Jia Jia marks the start of an exciting panda research and development opportunity and we look forward to working closely with the Chinese experts to enhance overall understanding on giant panda conservation,” said Ms Claire Chiang, Chairman of WRS.

To ensure that the giant pandas are comfortable during their five-hour flight, the aircraft’s temperature will be set to the bears’ natural habitat conditions and ‘in-flight meals’ will also be provided in the form of bamboo, fruit and water. The pandas will be transported in special crates that offer ventilation and adequate space to move about in relative comfort. A team of keepers and vets from WRS and Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base will be accompanying the giant pandas throughout their journey.

After landing, the giant pandas will receive a celebratory welcome at the airport and will then be moved into a temperature-controlled truck for their journey to River Safari. There, the pandas will be moved into their den block to begin a month-long quarantine. After completing the quarantine process, they will be released into their exhibit to explore and familiarise themselves with their new surroundings before going on public display. Visitors can look forward to visiting the giant panda exhibit in December.

Kai Kai and Jia Jia will be in Singapore for 10 years as part of a joint collaboration between China Wildlife Conservation Association and WRS to raise public awareness on wildlife conservation and develop a breeding programme for these endangered animals. There are fewer than 1,600 giant pandas left in the wild. The pair of giant pandas also emphasises the close diplomatic relations between Singapore and China.

CapitaLand, the Presenting Sponsor and Conservation Donor of the Giant Panda collaborative programme, has pledged a conservation donation to support the 10-year collaborative programme to promote giant panda conservation; and Singapore Airlines is the Official Airline Sponsor of these gentle animals.

Singapore will be the ninth country to receive giant pandas from China since 1994.

Note: Further details will be given closer to the giant pandas’ arrival date.

SPREAD THE WILDLIFE LOVE, BE A DOCENT

WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE IS SEEKING INDIVIDUALS WITH A PASSION FOR NATURE AND WILDLIFE

SINGAPORE, 21 Jun 2012 — Love animals and want to share your knowledge about wildlife and conservation? Put your skills to good use and sign up as a docent at our parks today!

WRS docents at African Adventure, and other docent stations, provide a valuable insight into the world of wildlife for our guests.

Wildlife Reserves Singapore is looking for passionate, committed individuals to spread their love for wildlife at Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari and Singapore Zoo. As a docent, you get to regale guests with fascinating stories of our animals, take them on exciting guided tours, and share beautiful specimens, all in the name of spreading the conservation message!

A WRS docent providing a hands-on learning experience for our young guest at the Reptile Realm station

Our docents, like this one at the Conservation Cove station, are armed with a wealth of knowledge and always willing to share nuggets of information with guests.

Since 1997, docents have been educating our visitors about animals, in particular the need for wildlife and animal conservation. Be part of the legacy when you apply for the Docents Recruitment and Training (RATS) 2012.

Raring to go yet? Simply submit your application by 13 July 2012 and look forward to being part of the docent family!

Details:
Fee: $150
Application deadline: 13 July 2012
Age: 21 years old and above
Interview dates: 21 and 22 July 2012
Training period: Once a week (Saturday or Sunday) from 4 August 2012 to 23 September 2012

For more information, check out our FAQ section at http://education.zoo.com.sg/docent.html or contact us at 6360 2217, fax at 6362 0163 or email veu@wrs.com.sg

Photo credits: Wildlife Reserves Singapore

AN APPMAZING ADVENTURE AWAITS AT SINGAPORE ZOO

WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE, FAJAR SECONDARY SCHOOL AND NANYANG POLYTECHNIC COLLABORATE ON FREE IPHONE APP

Singapore, 14 March 2012 — Singapore Zoo is going digital with Education@zoo, a new iPhone application (app) which is a handy education guide that complements one’s zoo visit with rich multimedia contents and interesting facts of animals. The joint effort by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), Fajar Secondary School and Nanyang Polytechnic even features an Augmented Reality function which shows users the direction and distance to attractions and amenities, and a Learning Journey to learn and test one’s animal knowledge.

Fajar Secondary School approached WRS with the idea early last year as the school wanted to work on an iPhone app project outside of the classroom that would involve the entire Secondary 1 cohort. Education@zoo app is closely linked to the lower secondary science syllabus on ecology in which the students did research to gather data such as the animals’ natural habitat, adaptation, diet, food chain, endangered status and conservation efforts through a problem-based learning (PBL) pedagogical approach.

The students were also exposed to talks on conservation issues and underwent training to equip them with guiding skills as part of the social learning experience.

Nanyang Polytechnic’s School of Information Technology was roped in as Fajar’s partner institution to design and develop the app as they had worked together on other projects to further enhance students’ learning prior to this collaboration.

The project is the first of its kind to have been awarded a Ministry of Education grant that involves a third party. The grant was used to purchase eight iPads and six iPhones for the school to begin their project. It also funded the expertise engaged to develop the app.

App users also have access to an interactive map, visitor information, performances and show timings, enrichment facts and videos of animals and Singapore Zoo’s monthly newsletter, Wildlife Times.

“WRS is always keen to partner with schools to promote conservation education. This initiative empowers the students to contribute to generate conservation awareness for nature conservation. It also provides them with valuable learning and social experiences. Through this creative learning platform, we also hope to inspire increasingly technology-savvy visitors and families to be excited about wildlife and conservation,” said Ms May Lok, Director, Education, WRS.

“The development of the iPhone and iPad app not only increases the students’ motivation to learn science beyond the classroom context but also increases their awareness of conservation and the important role Singapore Zoo plays in it. The students’ learning of Ecology through PBL is authentic and the research that they have done on the different types of animals in the zoo is consolidated and made into a real life application that is useful to both the students and the public,” said Mr Mohamed Faizal, Level Head Science, Fajar Secondary School.

The app was officially launched during the Fajar@Zoo Appmazing Race at Singapore Zoo this morning. Students from Macpherson Primary School whizzed around the wildlife park, scrambling to complete a circuit of stations using this app.

Education@Zoo is the Top #1 featured education app in app store in Mar 2012. iPhone users can download it from the app store. It will be available for at least two years.

A Fajar Secondary student accesses the interactive map function on the Education@Zoo iPhone app, to navigate to the next station during the Fajar@Zoo Appmazing Race. PHOTO CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

Students from Fajar Secondary School guide their Macpherson Primary buddies to the correct answers, using the Education@Zoo iPhone app. PHOTO CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

Macpherson Primary students engage with the Education@Zoo app while their Fajar Secondary School guides look on. PHOTO CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

EXTREMELY RARE TURTLE RELEASED INTO THE WILD

SOUTHERN RIVER TERRAPIN, FIXED WITH A SATELLITE TRANSMITTER, IS SET FREE TO BREED IN THE WATERS OF CAMBODIA

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY, CAMBODIAN FISHERIES ADMINISTRATION, AND WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE WILL MONITOR TURTLE

LESS THAN 200 ADULT INDIVIDUALS REMAIN IN THE WILD

NEW YORK (January 18, 2012) – The Wildlife Conservation Society, in conjunction with the Cambodian Fisheries Administration and Wildlife Reserves Singapore, announced today the successful release of a Southern River terrapin (Batagur affinis) – one of the most endangered turtles on earth – into the Sre Ambel River in Cambodia.

The turtle was released on Monday, January 16th at a ceremony attended by officials, conservationists, and local people.

The female turtle, which weighs approximately 75 pounds (34 kilograms), is fixed with a satellite transmitter that will allow conservationists to track its whereabouts – the first-ever satellite monitoring study for this species.

Captured in the Sre Ambel River by local fishermen in April, 2011, the turtle is one of an estimated 200 adults remaining in the wilds of Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It was voluntarily turned it over to the WCS Cambodia turtle team instead of being sold into the black market trade where it would have been sent to food markets in China.

The population in the Sre Ambel River is estimated at less than ten nesting females. Thus, this individual is extremely important for maintaining genetic diversity of this species that has already suffered drastic population declines.

WCS believes the population has an excellent chance of recovery as the coastal mangrove forests of Southeastern Cambodia are some of the largest and most pristine in Southeast Asia, spanning some 175 square miles (more than 45,000 hectares). These habitats are crucial to numerous aquatic and terrestrial animals and are vital nursery areas for marine fisheries.

Conservationists will monitor the turtle’s movements to see how it utilizes this region. Of particular interest is how the turtle navigates through commercial fishing grounds, as well as areas where it could be threatened by other factors such as habitat destruction by sand mining or conversion of mangrove forests into shrimp farming facilities.

WCS notes that numerous studies on similar long-lived species have shown that as little as a five percent increase in annual adult mortality can cause populations to go extinct.

“By reducing the adult mortality of the Southern River terrapin, even by fractions – as little as ten animals a year per population in this circumstance – we can have immediate and long-term positive impacts on the remaining wild populations of this critically endangered species” said Brian D. Horne of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Heng Sovannara, Deputy Director of Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration’s Conservation Department, is extremely hopeful that the release will enhance efforts to conserve the species. “By identifying areas that are most utilized by the turtles, we can pinpoint our efforts to reduce the turtles being caught as fishery by-catch as well as targeted hunting,” he said.

Dr. Sonja Luz, Deputy Director of Conservation & Research for Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said: “This project will contribute greatly to a much brighter future for this critically endangered terrapin. Hopefully, more public awareness and education opportunities will arise from this and allow us to create better protection tools and a safer environment for these amazing reptiles.”

In 2000, a small population of Southern River Terrapins, Batagur affinis, was found in the Sre Ambel after many years of being considered locally extinct.

The turtle was once considered solely the property of the King of Cambodia, but has been decimated by overhunting over the past two decades.

Following the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot regime, the Cambodian people were left in severe poverty, and with the growing international demand for turtles in China for human consumption, literally thousands of turtles were captured and sent to China for much needed income by the country’s impoverished people.

A turtle’s send off: A Southern river terrapin–one of the most endangered turtles on Earth–makes its way into Cambodia’s Sre Ambel River, in the midst of an admiring crowd. PHOTO CREDIT: Eleanor Briggs/Wildlife Conservation Society

Dr Brian D Horne, Turtle Coordinator for Wildlife Conservation Society, holds up the satellite transmitter against a juvenile Southern river terrapin that was bred at Singapore Zoo PHOTO CREDIT: Wildlife Reserves Singapore

WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE AND CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY JOIN HANDS ON GIANT FRESHWATER STINGRAY INITIATIVE

PROJECT AGREEMENT SIGNED ON GROUNDBREAKING PROJECT TO HELP BETTER UNDERSTAND MYSTERIOUS MEGAFISH

Singapore, 11 January 2012 – Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) and Chulalongkorn University, Thailand are working together on a pioneering project to tag and track giant freshwater stingrays in the wild. The two organisations sealed the partnership with a Programme Agreement signing ceremony at Singapore Zoo this afternoon.

This project, the first of its kind in the world, will involve tagging six wild specimens from the Mae Klong River in Amphawa, Thailand using “Pop-up Archival Transmitting Tags”*.

Chulalongkorn University will provide the expertise for the field research, while WRS will handle all financial aspects, including purchasing the tagging devices.

Giant freshwater stingrays have attracted global interest due to their enormous size. However, little is known of their physiology, behaviour and migration processes. This species has not been bred in captivity and is threatened by fisheries and habitat loss.

The results from this monitoring programme will provide valuable data of field survey and tracking in a natural environment. These data could be used to recreate an environment conducive for breeding the animals, reducing the need for wild-caught specimens. Additionally, this study may shed light on how they affect the riverine ecosystems and more importantly, if their decline is an indication of the deteriorating health of the whole ecosystem.

Both organisations will also use the opportunity to raise conservation awareness for this species through educational outreach programmes among the local population in Amphawa district, Thailand, where the study will be conducted and through WRS parks’ educational programmes. This will be the first official learning and cooperation platform between Thailand and Singapore.

Ms Isabella Loh, WRS Group CEO said, “This is a significant partnership with Chulalongkorn University to help conserve the giant freshwater stingrays of Southeast Asia, and the aquatic ecosystem they thrive in. Little is known of these enormous creatures and the vital role they play in the riverine ecosystem. This is one of the major interests in our conservation education drive for the upcoming River Safari.”

Dr Sonja Luz, Deputy Director, Conservation and Research and Learning Centre, continued, “Giant freshwater stingrays are still being harvested for food by some local fishermen but we do not know their growth rates, how often they reproduce, their impact on the aquatic ecosystem and if the fishermen’s practice is sustainable. This project will elucidate the need for further scientific studies and species census; helping us to understand and manage them better. This study may also shed light on the possibility of a viable managed breeding programme for this species at our aquatic facility in River Safari.”

Prof Dr Mongkol Techakumphu, Dean of faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University added, “This is an excellent opportunity for us to be a part of a momentous study. We hope that the data acquired may even form the backbone for provincial and governmental regulatory controls, encouraging the conservation of the giant freshwater stingray.”

Visitors to River Safari, WRS’ freshwater-themed attraction, will be able to discover these mystifying creatures for themselves when the park opens later this year.

* NOTE: Pop-up Archival Transmitting Tag is a combination of archival and satellite technology designed to track the large-scale movements and behaviour of fish and other animals which do not spend enough time at the surface to allow the use of real-time satellite tags.

Each giant freshwater stingray caught is also carefully measured from tip to tip. This species can reach an impressive 3m in disc diameter and over 6m in total length, and weigh up to 600kg.

Wildlife Reserves Singapore has three of these specimens in its collection. They will be displayed in River Safari, the upcoming freshwater-themed attraction, later this year.

Dr Nantarika Chansue of the Veterinary Medical Aquatic Animal Research Centre of Chulalongkorn University draws blood from the tail of a wild giant freshwater stingray in the Mae Klong River, Thailand.

ZOO COMMUNITY HELPS TO SAVE AFFECTED WILDLIFE

Gland, Switzerland, Tuesday 15 November 2011 (WAZA): After the heavy flooding which has affected nearly the whole of Thailand since beginning of November, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has coordinated flood relief measures within the region. To date, help is provided by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums and additional help is being prepared by Zoos Victoria in Melbourne, Oceans Park, Hong Kong and Malaysian zoos. Today two vets from Singapore are arriving in Bangkok, bringing urgently needed drugs and other equipment.

Beginning in late July and continuing for over three months, the floods have caused 506 reported deaths by early November, affected over 2.3 million people, and caused damages estimated at up to 156.7 billion baht (5.1 billion USD) as of 18 October.

The flooding has inundated about six million hectares of land, over 300,000 hectares of which is farmland, in 58 provinces. It has been described as the worst flooding yet in terms of the amount of water and people affected.

“Luckily, only Dusit Zoo in Bangkok is in the pathway of the flood. We have made preparations by moving approximately 30 of our hoof stocks to Khao Kheow Open Zoo and the rest of the animals to higher grounds within the zoo. As the flooding continues to spread to lower elevations, we believe there will be more translocations of wildlife needed in the coming weeks” says Mr. Pimuk Simaroj of the Thai Zoological Park Organization.

In order to be able to help, about 30 items, which are urgently needed, have been listed, ranging from anesthetics, to injection needles and nets for capturing snakes and crocodiles. In an unbureaucratic manner emergency relief action could be organized within the wider Asian region. Two vets from Wildlife Reserves Singapore will bring drugs, an anesthetic machine and other equipment such as snake hooks and nets, and also assist their Thai colleagues on the spot to capture escaped reptiles and provide medical care. “In times of increased natural disasters, it is of utmost importance to cooperate within a global community and provide mutual support and assistance, I thank all our member zoos and other partners like Thai Air for their immediate support”, says Dr Gerald Dick, Executive Director of WAZA.

“WRS, as a member of WAZA and SEAZA, is happy to extend assistance in the form of medical supplies and vet resources to our neighbouring partners on the Flood Relieve Mission for wildlife rescue. We will continue to assess the situation together with the Thai conservation groups, and determine further levels of assistance needed. In the meantime, WRS is committed to wildlife research and conservation especially for Asia,” says Isabella Loh, Director and Group CEO of WRS.

Rescue of Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), carried out by the Zoological Park Organisation ©Wanlaya Tipkantha

Rescue of Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), carried out by the Zoological Park Organisation ©Wanlaya Tipkantha

WILDLIFE MEETS ELEPHANT ART AT SINGAPORE ZOO

WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE UNVEILS 25 SCULPTURES AT THE ZOO AS PART OF ELEPHANT PARADE SINGAPORE ART EXHIBITION

Singapore, 13 November 2011 – This weekend, Singaporeans everywhere will come face to face with multi-coloured, life-sized baby elephant sculptures throughout the island, with the launch of the Elephant Parade two days ago. This open-air art exhibition across the world promotes and supports the conservation of the endangered Asian elephant, and the Singapore Zoo will have a collection of 25 such sculptures grazing on its grounds for over two months.

Painted by local and international artists, each ‘elephant’ is a unique piece of art, which will be auctioned off during two private events on 12 and 14 January 2012, to raise funds for the cause. Five percent of the proceeds from the auctions will be donated to Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund, the conservation arm of Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), which was set up with the primary purpose of conserving Singapore’s endangered native wildlife, and also supports capacity building, education and awareness programmes on key species and conservation issues in the Southeast Asian region.

One of the elephants was specially designed in collaboration with the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS). Seven artists, four from the MINDS – Woodlands Gardens School and three from the MINDS – Woodlands Employment Development Centre, came together to paint the ‘elephant’, called Love and Protect, which depicts a boy and girl linking protective hands around the elephant, in a field of grass.

Singapore Zoo has also scheduled several activities in conjunction with the inaugural Elephant Parade. A Nikon Photography Contest will be held on Facebook to encourage people to look for quirky photo opportunities with the elephant sculptures. To participate, visitors need to take a photo with the displays at the Singapore Zoo and upload them with the completed caption: “My wish for the Asian elephant is…” Winners will walk away with Nikon Coolpix cameras and Elephant Parade replicas.

In addition, WRS will set up an educational booth, “Mad about Elephants”, at the Ele-fun play area at the Elephants of Asia exhibit for five weekends from 19 November. Visitors can view elephant artifacts and specimens at a show and tell session. This activity aims to highlight how Asian elephants are dying in the wild – from 200,000 a century ago to a fifth of that population now.

Ms Claire Chiang, WRS Chairman and Ambassador of Elephant Parade Singapore said: “We are very proud to be part of this meaningful initiative, which brings global attention to the plight of these beautiful animals in the wild. WRS runs a very successful captive breeding programme for these Asian elephants, which has recently resulted in the birth of one-year-old Nila Utama at Night Safari, the first of its kind to be born at our parks in nine years. Through partnerships with organisations like the Elephant Parade as well as tie-ups with voluntary welfare organisations such as MINDS, we hope to raise awareness and encourage the wider public to join the effort to protect these charismatic creatures for future generations.”

Ms Claire Chiang (left), Ambassador of Elephant Parade Singapore and Chairman of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, and Mike Spits, Managing Director of Elephant Parade, get ready to unveil the elephant sculpture called ‘Love and Protect’ painted by seven artists from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS).

Ms Claire Chiang Ambassador of Elephant Parade Singapore and Chairman of Wildlife Reserves Singapore signing her name on the cast of the ‘We Love Mosha’ elephant. Mosha is the elephant that was the inspiration for Elephant Parade, an open-air art exhibition across the world that promotes and supports the conservation of the endangered Asian elephant.

Samba performers and real elephants in quirky finery livened up the launch of Elephant Parade Singapore at Singapore Zoo.