ORANG UTANS at the Singapore Zoo now have a newly renovated home. The renovation cost about $1 million and took five months to complete.
The centrepiece - the world's first tree top boardwalk that allows visitors to walk among the free range orang utans.
Ms Fanny Lai, Executive Director of Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, said the newly constructed boardwalk is designed to bring visitors closer to the animals.
For example, the new Sumatran habitat allows visitors to stand eye to eye with the 90kg male adult orang utan, Charlie.
In addition, the zoo has upgraded the Borneo exhibit area by adding more live plants, trees and fallen logs which provide shade for the animals.
By attracting more visitors to see the playful orang utans, the zoo hopes to raise public awareness about the endangered species.
There are currently 25 orang utans housed at the zoo.
Is this the same as vote for PAP and get your HDB upgrades. ?
Monday, July 30, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Zoo attack 5
An eight-year-old Indonesian boy died after being attacked by a Komodo dragon in a national park in the east of the country, an official said.
"The dragon bit his waist, tossed him and dragged him. His right leg was badly scratched," Heru Rudiharto of the Komodo National Park said by telephone.
He said the boy had been attacked on Saturday after entering a bush for a toilet stop in a fishing village in the national park on Komodo, an island 1,500 km (930 miles) east of the capital Jakarta.
His uncle, who had been mending fishing nets nearby, tried to free him by throwing stones at the dragon, he added.
"However, the boy bled to death half an hour after the attack," added Rudiharto.
The official said it was rare for such attacks on humans, although in the dry season that started in April the dragon's normal prey became more scarce.
"It is very common here to see dragons roaming in the residential area in the national park. But it is very rare that a Komodo dragon kills a human," said Rudiharto.
"Usually, people here only suffer minor injuries."
There are about 2,000 of the protected and endangered dragons living in the wild, mainly on Indonesia's Komodo and Rinca islands, he said.
The dragons, which are agile and have a keen sense of smell, can grow to a length of 3 metres (more than 9 ft) and weigh on average 200 lbs (90 kg), according to data from Honolulu Zoo.
Komodo dragons regularly kill prey such as pigs and small deer and have been known to take down an adult water buffalo.
But they are opportunistic feeders and are prepared to eat anything they can overpower -- including small dragons and occasionally humans.
The mouth of the dragon also has virulent bacteria that means even if its prey survives an attack it will probably die of infection later.
"The dragon bit his waist, tossed him and dragged him. His right leg was badly scratched," Heru Rudiharto of the Komodo National Park said by telephone.
He said the boy had been attacked on Saturday after entering a bush for a toilet stop in a fishing village in the national park on Komodo, an island 1,500 km (930 miles) east of the capital Jakarta.
His uncle, who had been mending fishing nets nearby, tried to free him by throwing stones at the dragon, he added.
"However, the boy bled to death half an hour after the attack," added Rudiharto.
The official said it was rare for such attacks on humans, although in the dry season that started in April the dragon's normal prey became more scarce.
"It is very common here to see dragons roaming in the residential area in the national park. But it is very rare that a Komodo dragon kills a human," said Rudiharto.
"Usually, people here only suffer minor injuries."
There are about 2,000 of the protected and endangered dragons living in the wild, mainly on Indonesia's Komodo and Rinca islands, he said.
The dragons, which are agile and have a keen sense of smell, can grow to a length of 3 metres (more than 9 ft) and weigh on average 200 lbs (90 kg), according to data from Honolulu Zoo.
Komodo dragons regularly kill prey such as pigs and small deer and have been known to take down an adult water buffalo.
But they are opportunistic feeders and are prepared to eat anything they can overpower -- including small dragons and occasionally humans.
The mouth of the dragon also has virulent bacteria that means even if its prey survives an attack it will probably die of infection later.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Zoo animals as Food
A German mayor has filed charges against zoo workers in his town for shooting animals and selling them as meat.
The mayor's spokesperson said deer were amongst animals which had been killed and sold without permission by workers at Erfurt Zoo.
She said: "The case is now with the state prosecutors".
The German Animal Protection League has demanded a review of controls at Erfurt Zoo and all institutions housing animals in the state of Thuringia.
Wolfgang Apel, president of the League, said: "We are worried this is only the tip of the iceberg."
Erfurt Zoo is home to lions, elephants and giraffes among other animals. It has been the subject of complaints from animal rights campaigners and federal authorities over its imports of South American wild elephants.
The mayor's spokesperson said deer were amongst animals which had been killed and sold without permission by workers at Erfurt Zoo.
She said: "The case is now with the state prosecutors".
The German Animal Protection League has demanded a review of controls at Erfurt Zoo and all institutions housing animals in the state of Thuringia.
Wolfgang Apel, president of the League, said: "We are worried this is only the tip of the iceberg."
Erfurt Zoo is home to lions, elephants and giraffes among other animals. It has been the subject of complaints from animal rights campaigners and federal authorities over its imports of South American wild elephants.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Polar Stays
WRS Animal Welfare & Ethics Committee (AWEC) Recommendation for Polar Bear Inuka to stay in SingaporeThe Wildlife Reserves Singapore Animal Welfare & Ethics Committee recommends that Singapore-born polar bear Inuka should remain here and not be sent to an institution in a temperate country, upon the demise of his mother Sheba. This recommendation was made during the Committee’s meeting on 27 January 2007.
Following are the supporting arguments for this recommendation, which considers above all else, what is best for Inuka:
Inuka was born in Singapore and already acclimated to the conditions here.
The life span of both Inuka (16 years old) and his mother Sheba (30 years old) indicate that both polar bears are faring well in this environment.
Male polar bears are solitary by nature and associate with females only during the breeding season. Maintaining Inuka alone at the Singapore Zoo after his mother’s demise is not counter to what occurs naturally in the wild.
The transport of a full grown polar bear to an institution in a temperate country will be a stressful situation and carries its own share of risks; most extreme being that Inuka may die during transportation or during the introduction process in the new facility.
Depending on when Sheba passes on, Inuka may have only limited breeding potential because of his age, and if sent to a temperate institution, will probably not contribute to the captive breeding effort.
Moving Inuka to a temperate facility after losing his mother will add further stress, since he will be removed from an environment that he is already familiar with.
Inuka will continue to be the Singapore Zoo’s ambassador for the conservation and educational thrusts regarding climate change, throughout his whole life here.
The public is invited to give their feedback on the Committee’s recommendation.
The WRS Animal Welfare & Ethics Committee comprises:
Chairman
Following are the supporting arguments for this recommendation, which considers above all else, what is best for Inuka:
Inuka was born in Singapore and already acclimated to the conditions here.
The life span of both Inuka (16 years old) and his mother Sheba (30 years old) indicate that both polar bears are faring well in this environment.
Male polar bears are solitary by nature and associate with females only during the breeding season. Maintaining Inuka alone at the Singapore Zoo after his mother’s demise is not counter to what occurs naturally in the wild.
The transport of a full grown polar bear to an institution in a temperate country will be a stressful situation and carries its own share of risks; most extreme being that Inuka may die during transportation or during the introduction process in the new facility.
Depending on when Sheba passes on, Inuka may have only limited breeding potential because of his age, and if sent to a temperate institution, will probably not contribute to the captive breeding effort.
Moving Inuka to a temperate facility after losing his mother will add further stress, since he will be removed from an environment that he is already familiar with.
Inuka will continue to be the Singapore Zoo’s ambassador for the conservation and educational thrusts regarding climate change, throughout his whole life here.
The public is invited to give their feedback on the Committee’s recommendation.
The WRS Animal Welfare & Ethics Committee comprises:
Chairman
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Mr Wong Family at Zoo
http://wongfamily.wordpress.com/2007/07/01/family-trip-singapore-2007-part-iii
Thankfully the weather was clear but cool, so it was a good substitute for the Night Safari that we missed on Friday.
First off, it was lunch at the food court.
Then the Family went for a proper exploration of the Singapore Zoo.
The entrance itself immediately impressed upon us that this was going to be quite different from Zoo Negara – it was a plank walkway high off the ground with trees on the sides, conjuring an atmosphere of going on a jungle adventure!
By walking and taking the tram, we fully explored the Zoo, visiting Orang Utans, birds, big cats, dogs, reptiles, horses (Ama and May’s animal birth year), bears and all manner of animals that had the Kids in ecstasy.
Aba’s lime flavoured Popsicle with vanilla flavoured ice-cream filling (purchased from zoo vendor) helped cool down the Kids in between rest stops. (The Twins had been walking without the stroller the whole day!)
Finally, it was evening.
We took dinner at the KFC, before going to the Causeway, and back to Good Ol’ Malaysia!
Thankfully the weather was clear but cool, so it was a good substitute for the Night Safari that we missed on Friday.
First off, it was lunch at the food court.
Then the Family went for a proper exploration of the Singapore Zoo.
The entrance itself immediately impressed upon us that this was going to be quite different from Zoo Negara – it was a plank walkway high off the ground with trees on the sides, conjuring an atmosphere of going on a jungle adventure!
By walking and taking the tram, we fully explored the Zoo, visiting Orang Utans, birds, big cats, dogs, reptiles, horses (Ama and May’s animal birth year), bears and all manner of animals that had the Kids in ecstasy.
Aba’s lime flavoured Popsicle with vanilla flavoured ice-cream filling (purchased from zoo vendor) helped cool down the Kids in between rest stops. (The Twins had been walking without the stroller the whole day!)
Finally, it was evening.
We took dinner at the KFC, before going to the Causeway, and back to Good Ol’ Malaysia!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Wildlife officials rescue 950 monkeys from smugglers in southern Malaysia, detain 4
Malaysian authorities busted a wildlife smuggling ring, rescuing 950 monkeys believed bound for China and Holland and detaining four men including an Indonesian, an official said Tuesday.
Officials discovered the 950 long-tailed macaques starving and cramped in filthy cages in a raid on a farm in Johor state on Saturday following a two-week investigation, said Wildlife Department assistant director Celescoriano Razond.
"From our initial investigation, they were targeting to send the monkeys to restaurants in China and laboratories in Holland. We are still investigating," Celescoriano said.
The primates were in a pitiful condition, some were eating the carcasses of their young, and another 100 dead monkeys were piled up nearby, he said.
Celescoriano said he believed the macaques had been caught in Malaysian jungles and that they had been caged for at least a month.
"This is the biggest seizure of smuggled monkeys ever," he told The Associated Press, adding that the department has treated the monkeys and released them back into protested forest areas.
Celescoriano said three Malaysians, including one who is believed to be the ring leader, would be charged with unlawful possession and cruelty to wildlife, and that they could be jailed for up to three years or fined up to 6,000 ringgit (US$1,714; €1,428) each if convicted.
The Indonesian, who was a worker at the farm, has been handed over to the immigration department, he said. Immigration officials could not be reached for further details.
Malaysian authorities busted a wildlife smuggling ring, rescuing 950 monkeys believed bound for China and Holland and detaining four men including an Indonesian, an official said Tuesday.
Officials discovered the 950 long-tailed macaques starving and cramped in filthy cages in a raid on a farm in Johor state on Saturday following a two-week investigation, said Wildlife Department assistant director Celescoriano Razond.
"From our initial investigation, they were targeting to send the monkeys to restaurants in China and laboratories in Holland. We are still investigating," Celescoriano said.
The primates were in a pitiful condition, some were eating the carcasses of their young, and another 100 dead monkeys were piled up nearby, he said.
Celescoriano said he believed the macaques had been caught in Malaysian jungles and that they had been caged for at least a month.
"This is the biggest seizure of smuggled monkeys ever," he told The Associated Press, adding that the department has treated the monkeys and released them back into protested forest areas.
Celescoriano said three Malaysians, including one who is believed to be the ring leader, would be charged with unlawful possession and cruelty to wildlife, and that they could be jailed for up to three years or fined up to 6,000 ringgit (US$1,714; €1,428) each if convicted.
The Indonesian, who was a worker at the farm, has been handed over to the immigration department, he said. Immigration officials could not be reached for further details.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
NO GST Increase In FEEs
Open 365 days a year, the Singapore Zoo is a must-see destination on every visitor's attractions list. With the following useful information at hand, you can plan your day of fun and exploration with ease.
Opening hours
8.30am to 6.00pm daily
Entrance fees (admission only):
Adult S$15.00Child S$7.50
All prices include 7% GST
Parking charges:
Car/saloon S$3.90Lorry/Van S$4.90
Parking charges are per entry basis. No grace period.
(Electronic Parking System. Please insert your cashcard with sufficient funds into the vehicle's I/U unit when exiting the carpark.)
Tram & Train (unlimited rides for both weekdays & weekends):
The tram ride covers 2.2km with three stopovers.
Adult S$5.00Child (3-12 years old) S$2.50
Park Hoppers special (admissions only):
Zoo & Night Safari Adult S$30.00Child S$15.00
Zoo, Night Safari & BirdPark Adult S$40.00Child S$20.00
Opening hours
8.30am to 6.00pm daily
Entrance fees (admission only):
Adult S$15.00Child S$7.50
All prices include 7% GST
Parking charges:
Car/saloon S$3.90Lorry/Van S$4.90
Parking charges are per entry basis. No grace period.
(Electronic Parking System. Please insert your cashcard with sufficient funds into the vehicle's I/U unit when exiting the carpark.)
Tram & Train (unlimited rides for both weekdays & weekends):
The tram ride covers 2.2km with three stopovers.
Adult S$5.00Child (3-12 years old) S$2.50
Park Hoppers special (admissions only):
Zoo & Night Safari Adult S$30.00Child S$15.00
Zoo, Night Safari & BirdPark Adult S$40.00Child S$20.00
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