Mindflyer, The Killer Gerbil, ClogTwo and SKL0

SINGAPORE, 23 May 2013 – For the first time, Night Safari has commissioned four prominent street artists to work on creative art pieces inspired by threatened and endangered animals in a bid to spread awareness of poaching and dwindling wildlife populations and spur action among youths. This visual bonanza, titled Art Seen & Herd!, will be unveiled during the June school holidays in conjunction with the introduction of Asiatic black bears and a new Malayan tiger exhibit at Night Safari.

The Art Seen & Herd! project employs art as a platform to raise awareness of wildlife poaching – one of the greatest threats to some of the world’s most loved species. Animals featured in the exhibition include the Asian elephant, Malayan tiger, Indian rhino, and the newest residents of Night Safari – three Asiatic black bears. These animals are often hunted and farmed to feed continuing consumer demand for animal parts for use in traditional medicine, despite the presence of synthetic substitutes or there being no real evidence of the efficacy of these treatments.

The artists will unleash art pieces highlighting the plight of these species through the visual narratives of their works. The artworks will include graffiti, illustrations and other visual art forms, all aimed at engaging youths in an inclusive, non-conventional and enlightening way.

To encourage students to learn more about the threats facing wildlife, Night Safari invites them for a fascinating journey in the park with 50% discount on admission after 9pm from 1 June to 31 August 2013*. The Art Seen & Herd! project also encourages students to take action by sharing information on the threats facing the animals and what they can do to save these species via popular social media platforms such as Instagram.

Ms Isabel Cheng, Chief Marketing Officer, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said, “Art is a powerful form of expression that can unleash a lot of emotions without the need for words. In particular, street art is energetic, expressive, and genuine. Through this powerful medium, the Art Seen & Herd! project aims to reach out to youths in our continual mission to inspire an appreciation for wildlife and spreading the message on the importance of conservation.”

The four artists, among them award-winning talents, have been involved in various commissioned works, events and exhibitions locally and overseas. They are Michael Ng (‘Mindflyer’), Samantha Lo (‘SKL0’ / ‘Sticker Lady’), Luthfi Mustafah (‘The Killer Gerbil’) and Eman Jeman (‘ClogTwo’). Their creative works have been seen on various mediums from street art, canvases, t-shirts to advertisements.

*STUDENT DISCOUNTS

With great discounts on admission and dining for students, an exciting wildlife adventure awaits at Night Safari, starting with the Art Seen & Herd! exhibition.

Hop onto a tram and journey through seven geographical regions to view over 2,500 nocturnal animals, including the threatened species featured in the exhibition. Then, catch the popular Creatures of the Night Show to see nocturnal animals in action, and explore the walking trails for close encounters with endangered wildlife.

To complete the Night Safari experience, chill out at Bongo Burgers restaurant with a menu that includes juicy gourmet burgers, jumbo hot dogs and chunky fries. This alfresco restaurant also features performances by tribal dancers from the mysterious rainforests of Borneo, who perform fire-eating and blowpipe demonstrations just a few metres away.

1. 50% discount on admission after 9.00pm (Usual Price: $35.00)

• Promotion is only valid from 1 June 2013 to 31 August 2013.
• Promotion is only valid for students from secondary schools, junior colleges, polytechnics, universities and educational institutions based in Singapore with a valid photo student ID/student pass/matriculation card.
• Valid student ID must be presented at point of purchase to enjoy the discount.
• Purchase of tickets can be done before 9pm, but admission is only valid after 9pm.
• Tickets must be purchased on-site at Night Safari ticketing counters. Not valid for online ticketing.
• Each student ID can only purchase a maximum of two admission tickets.
• Tickets and admission will be subjected to student ID checks upon entering the park.
• Not valid with other promotions or discounts.

Other terms and conditions apply. For full list, please visit www.nightsafari.com.sg

2. 10% off Bongo Burgers

• Promotion is only valid from 1 June 2013 to 31 August 2013.
• Promotion is only valid for students from secondary schools, junior colleges, polytechnics, universities and educational institutions based in Singapore with a valid photo student ID/student pass/matriculation card.
• Valid student ID must be presented at point of purchase to enjoy the discount.
• Not valid with other promotions or discounts.

All terms and conditions are subject to change without prior information.

ACTIVITIES

1. Art Seen and Herd! Exhibition
Marvel at this visual spectacle featuring four creative art pieces by local artists ClogTwo, Mindflyer, SKL0 and The Killer Gerbil who have herded together to give a voice to threatened and endangered animal species.

Dates: Daily from 1 June to 15 July 2013
Venue: Night Safari Entrance Plaza (Admission tickets not required)

2. Snap, Share and Win!
Spread your conservation messages and be rewarded with a wild night out!

Instagram Contest Mechanics:

• Snap a picture of yourself with any of the art pieces
• Tell us what you can do to save the threatened species illustrated in the art piece (e.g. ‘Elephants are poached for their ivory tusks to be used for medicinal purposes even though there is no scientific evidence on the benefits. Please don’t support the ivory trade’)
• Post the picture on Instagram, hashtag #seenandherd and tag @nightsafariofficial for a chance to win one Safari Adventurer Tour package for yourself and four friends (worth $640)
• Contest period: 1 June to 15 July 2013

The Safari Adventurer Tour includes a personalised buggy ride with a guide that will share insider tales about nocturnal animals and wildlife conservation. The winner also takes home exclusive Night Safari merchandise and limited edition gifts designed by the artists.

Inuka the polar bear

Singapore, 15 May 2013 – Singapore-born polar bear, Inuka is making a comeback this June and he’s got some new friends with him! Inuka’s new home at Singapore Zoo, called Frozen Tundra, will also showcase wolverines and raccoon dogs. Take a trip to Singapore Zoo and welcome back the one and only polar bear born in the tropics.

As part of the celebrations for Singapore Zoo’s 40th anniversary, Inuka’s housecooling party will be an extended one for the entire month of June. Exciting activities such as guided walkthroughs, token feeding sessions, glitter art and ice sculpture demonstrations await. Join us at Frozen Tundra for a really cool getaway this June.

Ivana the wolverine

• Frozen Tundra token feeding session and guided walkthrough
  Learn fascinating facts about this themed exhibit while taking in the icy cool ambience of Frozen Tundra. Find out all you need to know about Inuka, the only polar bear in the world to have been born in the tropics, and see if you can spot the elusive raccoon dogs and gorgeous wolverines as you walk through the complex.
  Dates: All weekends in June (1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 June)
  Time: 10am, 1pm and 4 pm
  Venue: Frozen Tundra outdoor viewing gallery, followed by walkthrough in air-conditioned area

• Photography session with polar bear mascot
  You might only be able to rub noses with Inuka, but this polar bear mascot will allow you to cuddle up for a cozy photograph, as a memento of your visit to Frozen Tundra.
  Dates: All weekends in June (1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 June)
  Time and venue:
  At Frozen Tundra: 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm
  At Singapore Zoo entrance: 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm

• Polar bear ice sculpting demo
  Watch a talented ice sculptor at work as he transforms a 140kg block of ice into a polar bear.
  Dates: All weekends in June (1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 June)
  Time: 1.30pm
  Venue: Frozen Tundra outdoor viewing gallery

• Glitter Tattoo
  Get sparkly with a colourful glitter tattoo in celebration of Inuka’s comeback. Although free of
  charge, we do welcome donations, which will be channeled to the Wildlife Reserves Singapore
  Conservation Fund.
  Dates: All weekends in June (1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 June)
  Time: 10am – 1pm
  Venue: Frozen Tundra viewing gallery

Note: Activities are free, but normal admission rates of SGD22.00 (adult) and SGD14.00 (child 3 to 12 years) apply for entry into Singapore Zoo.

Pom and Poko the raccoon dogs

At the Rubbish Raft station, learn how
you can help reclaim the habitat for wildlife by
keeping rivers free from trash.

Singapore, 8 May 2013 — Zoolympix is back with a resounding bang in 2013! This time, each participant is transformed into a “Rescue Ranger” and gets to learn first-hand how habitat destruction and poaching are driving many animals to extinction. Leaping into its ninth year, Zoolympix will feature six exhibits in the zoo that will double up as interactive game stations. This series of challenging “rescue missions” will test young rangers’ memory, accuracy and agility.

With the zoo also celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, nuggets of historical knowledge will be incorporated into a journey that will both educate and entertain. Participants will learn little-known trivia about some of the zoo’s landmark moments since its opening in 1973.

In addition, stand to win attractive lucky draw prizes that include wildly popular zoo experiences. First prize is a one-year Friends of the Zoo Family membership and 2D1N Sleep with the Beasts Camp, worth over $800 for a family of two adults and two children; second prize is a 4-in-1 Park Hopper family package for two adults and two children and a 3-day Zoo Explorer Camp for one child worth over $600; and third prize is a 3-in-1 Park Hopper and Jungle Breakfast package for two adults and two children worth over $300. Top three winners also win a year’s subscription to Wildlife Wonders, Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s in-house magazine.

Pop into the awareness booth to find out more about endangered local wildlife, and learn what the ‘real’ Rescue Rangers at Wildlife Reserves Singapore parks (meaning the keepers) do to protect these animals. If you’re lucky, you might even get to meet a pangolin! While you’re there, indulge in a spot of face-painting or badge-making. Young readers are also free to browse our educational publications — available in English and mother tongue—and newly-published books about pandas.

Learn more about threatened wildlife at
the Zoolympix Awareness Booth, and you might
even get to meet a pangolin!

Details
Date: 1 – 9 June 2013 (Daily)
Time: 10am – 4pm
Venue: Singapore Zoo, 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
Fee: $3 per Zoolympix passport, Available at the registration tent at the start of Treetops Trail (in front of the bird photography area)
Notes: Normal admission rates of $22.00 (adult) and $14.00 (child 3 to 12 years) apply. Zoolympix activities are recommended for children between 5 and 12 years old

Rescue Ranger Stations
On Thin Ice
Venue: Frozen Tundra
Climate change is causing the Arctic ice to melt! Help a polar bear find its lunch by hopping between fragmented “ice” pieces to pick up as many seals as possible within 30 seconds.

Seed Seekers
Venue: Tropical Crops (Pavilion opposite Cat Country)
In a world where deforestation is rampant, Rescue Rangers must collect and save the seeds of tropical plants which could be in danger of extinction. Track down plants in the Tropical Crops exhibit and “collect” their seeds by making a shading from the embossed plaques next to them.

Forest Storeys
Venue: Fragile Forest
The first step in wildlife conservation is to understand it better. Test your memory and learn more about animals and their rainforest homes by placing the creatures in the correct layer of their rainforest habitat in 30 seconds.

Rubbish Raft
Venue: Rainforest Kidzworld (Tugboat area)
Make a difference for the many fish, birds, frogs, and other wildlife friends by helping to keep rivers clean. In 30 seconds, scoop out floating rubbish in the water while standing on a raft and do your bit to reclaim the habitat for these river dwellers!

Penguin Eggs-pedition
Venue: African penguin exhibit
African penguins have nowhere to lay their eggs, now that the guano they use as nesting material has been harvested for fertiliser! In 30 seconds, sort penguins’ eggs into colour-coded “igloos” that ingenious scientists have provided as shelter for the eggs.

Stop Those Smugglers!
Venue: Sun bear exhibit
The smallest bear in the world needs to be saved from poachers! Stop sun bear smuggling by ringing in the pesky poachers. Toss rings over as many cone ‘smugglers’ as possible in 30 seconds.

Singapore, 6 May 2013 – Nourish the imaginative and curious little minds of your child with a learning experience at Jurong Bird Park, where visitors will embark on a round-the-world journey during the June school holiday weekends with a myriad of egg-citing activities.

The fun starts with huge savings off ticket prices with Jurong Bird Park’s buy-1-get-1 free promotion on admission tickets. Flash the coupon found at the Park’s website at the ticketing counters to enjoy this promotion from 24 May to 30 June 2013. The free ticket must be of the same or of a lower value than the ticket purchased.

From 1 to 23 June 2013, there is no better time to take a flap and a flight out west to the Bird Park, to participate in six special programmes which have been exclusively tailored for children to go on an interactive and fun edu-taining journey.

1. Dora and Diego: Join Dora and Diego from the well-known Nickelodeon cartoon series, Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!, as they take on Jurong Bird Park as their new destination for learning and discovery. There will be a chance for photo opportunities with Dora and Diego at the Pools Amphitheatre at 12.30pm during the weekends in June.
2. Explorer of the 5 Continents: Let your child become an ‘Explorer of the 5 Continents’, and nurture their adventurous spirit! Every child will be handed a customised Jurong Bird Park kid’s explorer kit which contains a ‘passport’. With it, children can navigate around the park to collect stamps in their very own Jurong Bird Park explorer passport. Be sure to check in at the exhibits showcasing birds from Australia, South America, Antarctica, Asia and Africa to collect all 5 stamps!
3. Dr Squawk’s Expedition: Meet Dr Squawk, the popular host of Bird Park Flies to Schools, who teaches children all about birds in an engaging and fun manner. Children between the ages of 5 to 12 years old can sign up for Dr. Squawk’s Expedition in the Bird Park, as she travels to different continents in search of her flightless feathery friends. This will be held at 2.30pm and 4.30pm at the Breeding and Research Centre. Pre-registration is required online, or at the venue at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the programme.
4. Meet the Bird Stars: Seize the opportunity to get up close to Jurong Bird Park’s most eggxotic birds at a meet-and-greet session featuring unique-looking birds like Harriet the bar pouched wreathed hornbill and learn interesting facts about them at 1.45pm at Penguin Coast!
5. Be a Junior Avian Keeper: Children who are deeply passionate about wildlife conservation should sign up for two specially organised immersive experiences to learn more about birds. The Junior Avian Keeper Programme for older children on 7 June aims to provide a hands-on experience with tasks such as preparing feed and enrichment for the birds.
6. Holiday camps: Children between the ages of 6 to twelve can sign up with like-minded friends for the 3-Day Bird Quest Camp from 12 – 14 June, to embark on an expedition where they can experience up-close encounters with feathered friends, unearth the secrets of nest making and learn about how feathers help flight.

The fun does not stop here. After an exhilarating day, do not forget the wildlife conservation messages learnt at Jurong Bird Park. Visit the website and download fun and interactive games created by students from MAGES Institute of Excellence. This final year project by the students consists of 5 games which will be released over a period of 5 months. Through a series of challenges such as choosing the right types of food and working one’s way through a maze to free the birds, the games reinforce the importance of conservation and protection of wildlife. The first game – Born to Fly, which involves guiding a Bali Mynah through forestations while avoiding obstacles and predators – will be made available for download through the website in June, at http://education.birdpark.com.sg.

For more information on Jurong Bird Park, and the June holiday activities, please visit http://www.birdpark.com.sg.

Meet Dr Squawk, the popular
host of Bird Park Flies to Schools, as she
travels to different continents in search of
her flightless feathery friends in Dr
Squawk’s Expedition.

Join Dora and Diego from the
well-known Nickelodeon cartoon series,
Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!, as
they take on Jurong Bird Park as their
new destination for learning and
discovery.

Activity Details

Singapore, 20 April 2013 – With Earth Day and World Penguin Day falling just three days apart, Earth Day at Jurong Bird Park is particularly meaningful for a group of children and youths who have become conservation ambassadors with a determined focus on spreading the message of “Don’t Dump It, Aquatic Creatures Deserve A Clean Home”, aimed at protecting penguins and other marine creatures.

Coming together for ‘A Penguin Play Date’, students from Greenridge Primary School (GRPS) and youth volunteers created two gigantic penguin art pieces made of recycled materials at Jurong Bird Park. These art pieces take the form of a 3-metre tall 2D silhouette, and a sliding penguin sculpture. In addition, 12 primary school children between the ages of 9-11 manned craft stations in the park to teach park visitors what they know about penguins and how to protect these birds by minimising waste.

GRPS students took a month to collect about 600 recycled bottles for the play date. The recycled bottles are in both art pieces. The penguin silhouette shows how something as innocuous as a kids’ beverage bottle can go a long way in creating an artistic statement for the species. The other art piece, a 1-metre tall papier-mâché sliding penguin depicts the bird sliding freely on ice, is a sight often seen in the Antarctic region.

“Penguins are very cute, and I’m sad that they can die when people throw plastics into the sea without thinking of the other creatures which live there. We hope people will help to protect the penguins,” said Angel Chua, Primary 6 student, Greenridge Primary School.

Inviting the public – particularly young children – to join their play date, the students set up craft stations to teach visitors how to make a simple penguin craft out of recyclable toilet rolls, which participants could bring home. Students completed each roll with a conservation message about penguins.

To equip these youth conservation ambassadors with knowledge about these charismatic birds, a highly interactive Penguins and Pals workshop was organised on 13 March. At this session, they learnt more about different penguin species, their diet, how they adapt to temperate climates and how penguins seem to ‘fly’ in the water. These students also visited two of the world’s five endangered penguin species that live in Jurong Bird Park – the African penguin and the Humboldt penguin. To inspire more students in GRPS about conservation and ensuring a clean home for penguins and other marine creatures, the students involved in the Earth Day project with Bird Park will share their experiences school-wide during a school assembly talk.

May Lok, Director, Education, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said, “To interest and inspire youths about wildlife, we work very closely with schools and over the last five years, more than 85,000 students have gone through workshops such as Penguin and Pals. A Penguin Play Date is the perfect example of how students, when empowered with the right knowledge and skills, can lead the charge to drive conservation messages to their peers and families, and encourage them to think of ways to protect the homes penguins and marine creatures. These youths are the most ideal conservation ambassadors.”

Jurong Bird Park has successfully bred the African and king penguins. Three endangered African penguin chicks have successfully hatched since December 2010, with the latest hatching on 14 March 2013. This chick is the first in Jurong Bird Park to have undergone successful artificial incubation at the Breeding & Research Centre (BRC). Five king penguin chicks have hatched since 2008, and the Park is the first institution in South East Asia to successfully breed this species in captivity.

Visitors will be able to view both the papier-mâché sculpture and the 2D silhouette for a month from 20 April at Penguin Coast.

For more information on Jurong Bird Park, please visit www.birdpark.com.sg

With Earth Day and World Penguin Day falling just three days apart, Earth Day at Jurong Bird Park is particularly meaningful for a group of children and youths who have become conservation ambassadors with a determined focus on spreading the message of “Don’t Dump It, Aquatic Creatures Deserve A Clean Home”, aimed at protecting penguins and other marine creatures.

Inviting the public – particularly young children – to join their play date, the students set up craft stations to teach visitors how to make a simple penguin craft out of recyclable toilet rolls, which participants could bring home.

Jurong Bird Park has successfully bred the African and king penguins. Three endangered African penguin chicks have successfully hatched since December 2010, with the latest hatching on 14 March 2013.

Singapore Zoo was the recipient of the Singapore Service Excellence Medallion

Singapore, 11 April 2013 – Singapore Zoo has received the Singapore Service Excellence Medallion, a top honour that marks its superior guest satisfaction and organisational service excellence.

The award ceremony was held in the presence of guest-of-honour Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore and Minister of Finance.

Mr Lee Meng Tat, CEO, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said, “Singapore Zoo turns 40 this year – and receiving the Singapore Service Excellence Medallion is a tribute to all the staff who have served in the Singapore Zoo and who made this wildlife attraction a national icon and internationally recognized brand.”

He added, “Singapore Zoo aims to give our guests a unique and meaningful wildlife experience. To achieve this, our team is always happy to go the extra mile to provide a fun-filled, interactive, and wholesome experience for our visitors. Together we hope to inspire an appreciation for wildlife in everyone that comes through our gates.”

The Singapore Service Excellence Medallion represents the epitome of service excellence, and Singapore’s highest accolade, that acknowledges outstanding achievements by organizations and individuals in inspiring and sustaining a culture of service excellence in Singapore. It is organized by agencies of the national GEMS Up movement (Go Extra Mile For Service) and aims to catalyze and inspire a transformation in service amongst organisations in Singapore and to produce worthy role models for all to emulate. GEMS Up Movement is represented by five agencies – SPRING Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board, Singapore Workforce Development Agency, National Trades Union Congress and the Institute of Service Excellence at Singapore Management University.

Singapore Zoo is the 2013 Medallion Recipient for Organisations, a pinnacle honour presented to the most outstanding organisation that has demonstrated pinnacle levels of customer satisfaction and organisational service excellence.

Ms Quak Sim Hui, assistant manager of operations, Singapore Zoo, was also honoured at the award ceremony as a finalist for the medallion for individuals, a category that recognises nominees from organisations who have delivered exceptional service and exemplified the organisation’s mission, vision and values.

Singapore Zoo has frequently been named amongst the best zoos of the world, and with its award winning open concept, is often referred to as the world’s best rainforest zoo. Through the years, the Zoo’s mission has been to inspire an appreciation of nature through exciting and meaningful wildlife experiences, with a determined focus on the three pillars of education, recreation, and conservation and research.

Singapore, 3 April 2013 – More than 300 people including jubilant school children, wildlife enthusiasts, and tourists gathered before 9am for the soft opening of Asia’s first and only river-themed wildlife park today.

In a surprise lucky draw for members of the public who made a special attempt to be at the park when the gates first open, five visitors won a “Friends of River Safari” membership (valued at S$90.00) which allows them unlimited admission to the park year-round. The winners, along with the 300-strong crowd, joined the staff of Wildlife Reserves Singapore for a countdown to the park’s opening time – 9am – to a great cheer.

The park welcomed close to 1,500 visitors on the first day of its soft launch.

The 12-ha River Safari is the newest addition to Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s portfolio of award-winning parks and will showcase animals from freshwater habitats inspired by eight of the world’s iconic rivers including the Mississippi, Nile, Mekong, Yangtze and Amazon rivers.

More than 300 people including jubilant school children, wildlife enthusiasts and tourists gathered before 9am for the soft opening of Asia’s first and only river-themed wildlife park today for a special countdown.

In a surprise lucky draw for members of the public who made a special attempt to be at the park when the gates first open at 9am on 3 April, five visitors won a “Friends of River Safari” membership (valued at S$90.00) which allows them unlimited admission to the park year-round.

A group of school children watches in amazement as a giant river otter – the world’s largest otter – swims across an underwater tunnel at River Safari. They were among the first to explore River Safari on its soft opening day on 3 April.

Visitors at River Safari’s Mekong River zone which showcases river giants such as the critically endangered Mekong giant catfish and the giant Siamese carp. They were among the first to explore River Safari on its soft opening day on 3 April.

Have such photos In your albums? Share them with us, for a chance to win a wild day out at Singapore Zoo.

Singapore, 28 March 2013 — Singapore Zoo’s 40th Anniversary celebrations continue, with the launch of an “I ♥ Singapore Zoo” fan photo contest.

From 29 March – 30 April 2013, Singapore Zoo invites all its Facebook fans to dust off their photo albums and share their favourite photo memory during a zoo outing to recount the zoo’s journey through the last 40 years.

Participants can enter the contest via the newly launched Singapore Zoo 40th anniversary celebrations microsite: zoo40.zoo.com.sg. It is open to everyone who is a Wildlife Reserves Singapore Facebook fan. Each fan may make unlimited submissions, but each photo can only be submitted once, and has to be accompanied by a caption to be eligible for a prize.* Winning photos will be unveiled on a photowall in June 2013.

Ten lucky winners will win a dining experience for two at Singapore Zoo’s Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife in June. Participants also stand to win Singapore Zoo admission tickets to re-live their memories in the park.

Singapore Zoo is one of four wildlife attractions managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, with the others being Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari and the upcoming River Safari. The Zoo is also a designated rescued wildlife centre by the governing authority.

For more information and the latest updates on Singapore Zoo’s 40th anniversary celebrations, visit zoo40.zoo.com.sg, or www.facebook.com/wrs.sg.

*Terms and conditions are available at the Singapore Zoo’s 40th anniversary celebrations microsite and Wildlife Reserves Singapore Facebook page.

I ♥ Singapore Zoo

Singapore, 25 March 2013 – From 3 April, visitors can look forward to discovering the exotic wildlife found in eight iconic river habitats with the soft opening of River Safari.

The 12-ha River Safari is the newest addition to Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s portfolio of award-winning parks and will showcase animals from freshwater habitats inspired by eight of the world’s iconic rivers including the Mississippi, Nile, Mekong, Yangtze and Amazon rivers. The park will be home to over 150 plant species and 5,000 animal specimens representing 300 animal species, including one of the world’s largest collections of freshwater animals.

Among the unique aquatic and terrestrial animals featured in the park are endangered river giants such as the Giant Salamander, Giant Freshwater Stingray and Mekong Giant Catfish. River Safari is the only park in Asia to feature the Giant River Otter, the world’s largest otter that can grow up to 1.8 metres.

The highlight of the Mekong River zone is a 3m-tall aquarium with a large underwater view of megafishes such as the critically endangered Mekong giant catfish and giant freshwater stingray.

Ms Claire Chiang, Chairman, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said, “We look forward to welcoming visitors to River Safari and bringing them up-close to the fascinating wildlife that live in river habitats, which are disappearing faster than forest and marine environments. As the first and only river-themed wildlife park in Asia, River Safari aims to highlight the importance of freshwater ecosystems and inspire positive actions for conserving them. In addition, we also seek to play a part in global captive breeding programmes for endangered freshwater species.”

During the soft opening phase, visitors can walk through River Safari’s freshwater galleries and immersive exhibits, including the world’s largest freshwater aquarium at the Amazon Flooded Forest and the Giant Panda Forest. The park’s boat rides will not be available until later this year as they are undergoing technical adjustments.

The world’s largest freshwater aquarium at the Amazon Flooded Forest showcases a surreal world of manatees, fishes and other creatures swimming amongst giant trees, created every year during the rainy season when the river rises 30 to 40 feet.

River Safari opens daily from 9am to 6pm and tickets will be priced at S$35 (Adult), S$23 (Child between 3-12 years), and $17.50 (Senior citizen above 60 years). As the boat rides and some exhibits will not be ready until a later date, daily admission (refer to Appendix attached) during the soft opening phase will be priced at a discounted rate of S$25 (Adult), S$16 (Child between 3-12 years) and $12.50 (Senior citizen above 60 years). Visitors can purchase tickets at Singapore Zoo and River Safari’s ticket booth. River Safari extends free admission to beneficiaries of selected programmes by Voluntary Welfare Organisations (details on http://www.riversafari.com.sg).

From 3 April, visitors planning to see the giant pandas can do so only via River Safari. The current giant panda preview, which visitors pay a top-up fee in addition to Singapore Zoo admission ticket, will end on 31 March. Both pandas are housed at the Yangtze River zone that features the Yangtze alligator and the world’s largest amphibian – the Chinese giant salamander.

The highlight of the Yangtze River zone is the Giant Panda Forest – the largest panda exhibit in South East Asia – home to giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia.

River Safari is designed and developed with the utmost concern for the environment, especially the Mandai Nature Reserve area where the park is situated. The park brings together the best in zoological architecture and design, with state-of-the-art exhibit artistry and technology to provide visitors with an immersive experience into the world of rivers and the landscapes they support. River Safari is the first attraction in Singapore to be conferred with the Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark Platinum Award in the park category.

More information can be found on www.riversafari.com.sg.

Singapore, 13 March 2013 – Seven manatees were the first residents to move into the world’s largest freshwater aquarium at River Safari’s Amazon Flooded Forest exhibit.

A team comprising more than 20 zookeepers and veterinarians took two days to move the seven manatees – including two calves – from Singapore Zoo to their new home at River Safari’s Amazon Flooded Forest. The new exhibit showcases the annual flooding of the Amazon rainforest where fish and other creatures swim amongst giant trees. The manatees’ home at the world’s largest freshwater aquarium is four times bigger than their previous exhibit at Singapore Zoo.

Manatees are large, slow-moving aquatic mammals that can be found in coastal waters and rivers. They spend six to eight hours a day grazing on aquatic plants, which is why they are also known as sea cows. Adults typically consume 50-100kg of vegetation a day (equivalent to 10-15 percent of their body weight). Listed as vulnerable on the IUCN* Red List of Threatened Species, manatee numbers have declined throughout the last century due to hunting pressures and entrapment in commercial fishing nets. These gentle giants are often accidentally hit by motorboats.

Through captive breeding, River Safari hopes to contribute to the population of endangered freshwater species such as the manatee. The park now holds one of the largest collections of manatees among ISIS^ institutions with eleven manatees in total.

Keepers and consultants position a canvas sheet underneath a 21-year-old female manatee in preparation for her move. She and 10 others will be housed in the Amazon Flooded Forest exhibit at the soon-to-be-opened River Safari.

Keepers securing the canvas and ropes before hoisting Eva, a 21-year-old manatee. At over 1,100 kilogrammes, Eva is the heaviest manatee in the park. She and 10 others will be housed in the Amazon Flooded Forest exhibit at the soon-to-be-opened River Safari.

More than 20 zookeepers and veterinarians were involved in moving a 21-year-old female manatee named Eva, which weighs over 1,100 kilograms. The female manatee was one of the first manatees to arrive at Singapore Zoo in 1994. She and 10 others will be housed in the Amazon Flooded Forest exhibit at the soon-to-be-opened River Safari.

*IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature
^ISIS – International Species Information System