Park Hopper 3-in-1 (Admissions only)- Zoo, Night Safari and BirdPark (Adult) $45.00
Park Hopper 3-in-1 (Admissions only)- Zoo, Night Safari and BirdPark (Child) $22.50
Park Hopper 2-in-1 (Admissions only)- Zoo and Night Safari (Adult) $30.00
Park Hopper 2-in-1 (Admissions only)- Zoo and Night Safari (Child) $15.00
ZOO Admission Ticket with Tram Ride (Adult) $21.50
ZOO Admission Ticket with Tram Ride (Child) $11.00
ZOO Admission Ticket Only (Adult) $16.50
ZOO Admission Ticket Only (Child) $8.50
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Animal Friendly Tourism
Are you an animal-friendly tourist?As a tourist, your money may support trades and events that profit from animal suffering, pain and death. When you are on holiday, you can enjoy the beauty of nature and rich cultural traditions of the countries you visit without taking part in activities that harm animals.
Here is the compassionate person's guide to a cruelty-free holiday:
Animal Acts: Cruelty Parading As Entertainment
Do not pay to watch an animal perform tricks or patronise places that have performing animal shows.Animals forced into entertainment in circus-style shows, such as cycling bears, golfing orangutans and fire-hoop jumping tigers, endure enormous stress and pain. Their training methods include beatings, food deprivation, drugging and surgically removing or impairing their teeth and claws. Often, they are not given adequate housing or care and live in appalling conditions when not performing. ‘Dancing bears' in India and Pakistan and the elephants at many elephant parks in Thailand who are made to play musical instruments, ‘play football' and perform tricks endure similar training methods and treatment.
In some wildlife parks in China , live rabbits, ducks, pigs and calves are thrown to hungry predator animals like tigers. Such cruelty will only stop when we refuse to watch.
Animal Photography: No Fun For The Animals
Never pay to have your photo taken with a wild animal, either on the street or at a zoo.Animals are often used for photography, feeding and cuddling sessions in zoos, hotels and on the streets in some countries. Many of these animals are captured from the wild after their families have been killed. Many are over-handled, starved and stressed. When they are out of sight of tourists, they could be chained, beaten, kicked and confined to tiny, bare cages, with little or no veterinary care. Worldwide, accidents involving people and captive wild animals are also on the increase, some of which result in serious injuries and death. There is also the danger of disease transmission between humans and animals in such settings.
Animal Rides: Abuse On The Roads
Do not participate in animal rides or encourage ‘begging elephants' on the city streets.When traveling, you will frequently come across animals such as elephants and ponies forced to take tourists for rides in sweltering temperatures without sufficient food or water. Some are malnourished, abused, old, injured or even pregnant. In Bangkok , although elephants are banned from the streets, their owners still walk them through the city hoping to make money from sympathetic residents and tourists. Many of these elephants are reported to be suffering from neglect and, at times, mistreatment.
Cockfights: Displays of Brutality
Never watch a cockfight or any other ‘sports' involving animals. Cockfights feature roosters specially bred for aggressiveness, forced to slash and gouge each other until one of them quits from blindness, injury or death. In countries like Thailand , lethal metal spikes on the legs and razor blades on the wings are forbidden. Nevertheless, the birds get severely injured just from the savage claws and powerful beaks. The losers often end up in the cooking pot. Children watching such fights could also develop insensitivity to violence.
Exotic Meat: Recipes for Torture
Do not be tempted to try ‘exotic' meats when on holiday.When you travel you want to try new things, but do not eat wildlife or domestic animals. This fuels illegal poaching and causes great pain and suffering. Wild animals are often captured and slaughtered in brutal ways. In countries like Korea , wild animals are trapped with wires around their mouths, leaving them to starve to death. Turtles have their meat scraped off while still alive. Dogs are struck with blunt blows to the head, then butchered while still conscious. Cats are boiled and skinned alive. Avoid restaurants which serve such meat, and let them know why you won't patronise them.
Live Animal Markets: Kidnapping Animals From Their Homes.
Avoid live animal markets in countries like Indonesia , where native and exotic species of birds, reptiles and mammals are offered for sale. Many of these species are protected by law. These creatures are often orphaned by poachers and illegally captured from the wild. They are mostly kept in filthy, tiny cages with little or no water, food, care, or shade from the grueling sun. Visiting and patronising these places will only encourage this cruel industry.
Marine Mammal Parks: The Underwater Prisons
Do not patronise marine parks that keep marine mammals such as dolphins and whales.Marine animals are known to suffer greatly in captivity, especially dolphins and orcas which are extremely social, intelligent and active animals. Captive marine mammals often live in small, sterile, chlorinated enclosures and are deprived of their natural activity level, social groups and interactions with their natural environment. Many of them develop stereotypic behaviour or aggression which is not known to occur in the wild. They are often forced to entertain visitors with unnatural and degrading tricks which teach nothing about their true behaviour. Training methods can be cruel, often involving food deprivation.
Souvenirs: Murder For The Sake Of Trinkets
Never buy souvenirs made from animals.When you buy souvenirs made from skins, shells, ivory, bone, fur or other animal products, the animals pay with their lives. To make combs and necklaces, turtles are cut up while they are still alive. For the sake of ivory seals and chopsticks, elephants are shot down and sometimes their faces are cut off to remove their tusks. Buying endangered species products not only fuels demand and causes more suffering, it pushes the species further towards extinction. Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, it is also a serious offence to import, export or posses an endangered species (including their parts, related products or derivatives) without a proper permit.
Zoos: There's Nothing Natural About Them
Some zoos in Asia imprison animals in extremely poor conditions. Wild animals who would hunt, forage and roam for miles every day cannot exercise their natural behaviour in captivity. Many suffer from mental stress, and this is evident from abnormal stereotypic behaviour like pacing up and down and constantly licking the metal cage bars. Instead of educating children about wild animal behaviour, zoos teach them that it is acceptable to keep animals in captivity; bored, cramped, and far from their natural homes. Take the kids to sanctuaries or nature reserves instead, where animals can be observed in their natural habitat.
What Else You Can Do
Encourage your friends and family to be animal-friendly tourists whenever they go on holiday.
Check your tour itinerary (even if the tour is labeled as an eco-tour) to make sure it does not involve cruelty to animals. If it does, tell your travel agent you do not wish to go to places involved in such cruelty. Ask your agent to propose cruelty-free alternatives.
Ensure that your hotel does not display any wild animals. If you are at a hotel or resort that does, express your disapproval in writing to the management.
Find out if there are any local animal welfare societies you may need to contact if an animal needs help.
If you see instances of animal cruelty, record what you have seen through photos or videotape but never pay to take such pictures. Make sure to record the date, time, location, type and number of animals involved.
Write to the management of the facility, the event organiser, the local tourist office, the local police, the local animal welfare society, your tour operator or the Ambassador of that country when you return. You can also contact Acres.
Here is the compassionate person's guide to a cruelty-free holiday:
Animal Acts: Cruelty Parading As Entertainment
Do not pay to watch an animal perform tricks or patronise places that have performing animal shows.Animals forced into entertainment in circus-style shows, such as cycling bears, golfing orangutans and fire-hoop jumping tigers, endure enormous stress and pain. Their training methods include beatings, food deprivation, drugging and surgically removing or impairing their teeth and claws. Often, they are not given adequate housing or care and live in appalling conditions when not performing. ‘Dancing bears' in India and Pakistan and the elephants at many elephant parks in Thailand who are made to play musical instruments, ‘play football' and perform tricks endure similar training methods and treatment.
In some wildlife parks in China , live rabbits, ducks, pigs and calves are thrown to hungry predator animals like tigers. Such cruelty will only stop when we refuse to watch.
Animal Photography: No Fun For The Animals
Never pay to have your photo taken with a wild animal, either on the street or at a zoo.Animals are often used for photography, feeding and cuddling sessions in zoos, hotels and on the streets in some countries. Many of these animals are captured from the wild after their families have been killed. Many are over-handled, starved and stressed. When they are out of sight of tourists, they could be chained, beaten, kicked and confined to tiny, bare cages, with little or no veterinary care. Worldwide, accidents involving people and captive wild animals are also on the increase, some of which result in serious injuries and death. There is also the danger of disease transmission between humans and animals in such settings.
Animal Rides: Abuse On The Roads
Do not participate in animal rides or encourage ‘begging elephants' on the city streets.When traveling, you will frequently come across animals such as elephants and ponies forced to take tourists for rides in sweltering temperatures without sufficient food or water. Some are malnourished, abused, old, injured or even pregnant. In Bangkok , although elephants are banned from the streets, their owners still walk them through the city hoping to make money from sympathetic residents and tourists. Many of these elephants are reported to be suffering from neglect and, at times, mistreatment.
Cockfights: Displays of Brutality
Never watch a cockfight or any other ‘sports' involving animals. Cockfights feature roosters specially bred for aggressiveness, forced to slash and gouge each other until one of them quits from blindness, injury or death. In countries like Thailand , lethal metal spikes on the legs and razor blades on the wings are forbidden. Nevertheless, the birds get severely injured just from the savage claws and powerful beaks. The losers often end up in the cooking pot. Children watching such fights could also develop insensitivity to violence.
Exotic Meat: Recipes for Torture
Do not be tempted to try ‘exotic' meats when on holiday.When you travel you want to try new things, but do not eat wildlife or domestic animals. This fuels illegal poaching and causes great pain and suffering. Wild animals are often captured and slaughtered in brutal ways. In countries like Korea , wild animals are trapped with wires around their mouths, leaving them to starve to death. Turtles have their meat scraped off while still alive. Dogs are struck with blunt blows to the head, then butchered while still conscious. Cats are boiled and skinned alive. Avoid restaurants which serve such meat, and let them know why you won't patronise them.
Live Animal Markets: Kidnapping Animals From Their Homes.
Avoid live animal markets in countries like Indonesia , where native and exotic species of birds, reptiles and mammals are offered for sale. Many of these species are protected by law. These creatures are often orphaned by poachers and illegally captured from the wild. They are mostly kept in filthy, tiny cages with little or no water, food, care, or shade from the grueling sun. Visiting and patronising these places will only encourage this cruel industry.
Marine Mammal Parks: The Underwater Prisons
Do not patronise marine parks that keep marine mammals such as dolphins and whales.Marine animals are known to suffer greatly in captivity, especially dolphins and orcas which are extremely social, intelligent and active animals. Captive marine mammals often live in small, sterile, chlorinated enclosures and are deprived of their natural activity level, social groups and interactions with their natural environment. Many of them develop stereotypic behaviour or aggression which is not known to occur in the wild. They are often forced to entertain visitors with unnatural and degrading tricks which teach nothing about their true behaviour. Training methods can be cruel, often involving food deprivation.
Souvenirs: Murder For The Sake Of Trinkets
Never buy souvenirs made from animals.When you buy souvenirs made from skins, shells, ivory, bone, fur or other animal products, the animals pay with their lives. To make combs and necklaces, turtles are cut up while they are still alive. For the sake of ivory seals and chopsticks, elephants are shot down and sometimes their faces are cut off to remove their tusks. Buying endangered species products not only fuels demand and causes more suffering, it pushes the species further towards extinction. Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, it is also a serious offence to import, export or posses an endangered species (including their parts, related products or derivatives) without a proper permit.
Zoos: There's Nothing Natural About Them
Some zoos in Asia imprison animals in extremely poor conditions. Wild animals who would hunt, forage and roam for miles every day cannot exercise their natural behaviour in captivity. Many suffer from mental stress, and this is evident from abnormal stereotypic behaviour like pacing up and down and constantly licking the metal cage bars. Instead of educating children about wild animal behaviour, zoos teach them that it is acceptable to keep animals in captivity; bored, cramped, and far from their natural homes. Take the kids to sanctuaries or nature reserves instead, where animals can be observed in their natural habitat.
What Else You Can Do
Encourage your friends and family to be animal-friendly tourists whenever they go on holiday.
Check your tour itinerary (even if the tour is labeled as an eco-tour) to make sure it does not involve cruelty to animals. If it does, tell your travel agent you do not wish to go to places involved in such cruelty. Ask your agent to propose cruelty-free alternatives.
Ensure that your hotel does not display any wild animals. If you are at a hotel or resort that does, express your disapproval in writing to the management.
Find out if there are any local animal welfare societies you may need to contact if an animal needs help.
If you see instances of animal cruelty, record what you have seen through photos or videotape but never pay to take such pictures. Make sure to record the date, time, location, type and number of animals involved.
Write to the management of the facility, the event organiser, the local tourist office, the local police, the local animal welfare society, your tour operator or the Ambassador of that country when you return. You can also contact Acres.
Friday, October 12, 2007
ZOOCHECK
Zoo Negeri Johor, Malaysia.Throughout Asia, many thousands of animals languish in appalling conditions in substandard zoos. Acres tries, wherever possible, to work together with the management of these zoos and discuss ways to improve the welfare of the animals.
Read on for an account of wholly substandard zoo that is situated just a few miles from Singapore. Acres is trying to help the animals there.
Life behind bars at Zoo Negeri Johor, Malaysia.Imagine a zoo where the primates are begging, reaching their hands out of the cages asking for food. Imagine a zoo where the animals are constantly displaying abnormal stereotypic behaviours. Imagine a zoo where enclosures are so filthy that a stench reeks from the enclosures. Imagine a zoo where animals are housed in enclosures resembling wells. Imagine a zoo where animals are housed in enclosures so small that the size is barely 0.001 percent the size of their natural homes.
Does a zoo like this exist? Does it have a place or any role in our society today? Since 2001, with the help of the International Primate Protection League (IPPL), Acres has been investigating Zoo Negeri Johor in Malaysia. The conditions for the animals are far from acceptable and are, in fact, appalling. The paragraph above aptly describes the living conditions.
Toney the chimpanzees' storyFor almost 30 years, Toney, a female chimpanzee lived in a small, barren cage at Zoo Negeri, Johor. In about 1995, her male partner died and she then lived a solitary life for many years until a new cage mate was acquired. While she was living in the cage, a behavioural study was conducted on her and the results proved beyond doubt that she was suffering each day she was kept in these conditions. She displayed a wide range of abnormal stereotypic behaviours repeatedly. These ranged from eating her faeces to regurgitating her food to rocking and swaying. These behaviours are clearly an indication of an abnormal animal-environment interaction. For most wild mammals in captivity, this probably means that the animal grew up in or is currently living in an environment suboptimal for meeting its natural, species-specific behavioural needs.
Since 2001, things have improved slightly for Toney. Toney was finally moved out of the cage into a larger enclosure. However, she now lives in a pit. The zoo also acquired a new male chimpanzee who now shares the enclosure with her. While this may be an improvement in her living conditions and might stimulate some social activity, Toney’s living conditions are still far from ideal.
New animals, old abusesIt is highly questionable whether the zoo should import any new animals when conditions remain unacceptable for all of the animals currently at the zoo. Any available funds should be directed to improving the existing enclosures to meet an acceptable standard before the import of any new animals.
However, since 2001, the zoo has brought in countless new animals including an orang utan, a siamang, a capuchin, a gibbon, Malayan sun bears, macaques and a large number of other animals. These animals are once again housed in appalling conditions. A new infant gibbon seen in 2001, for example, was housed in a cage measuring approximately 0.5 metres by 0.5 metres. This infant was far from the weaning age but was no longer with her mother. She was now living a solitary life.
Animals used for entertainmentZoo Negeri Johor also exploits the animals for entertainment purposes. A lion has been seen being used for photography sessions. Baby gibbons and other animals such as shy, nocturnal slow lorises who are confined in small cages in the blazing sun have also been seen to be used as ‘photo props’. Infant pig-tailed macaques and long-tailed macaques and even young Malayan sun bears are chained to the ground for visitors to touch and tease. Visitors can cuddle and take photos with all these animals upon request. These macaques, gibbons and several other primates and also the bear cubs are far from the weaning age and should be with their mothers.
ARCES work.
Read on for an account of wholly substandard zoo that is situated just a few miles from Singapore. Acres is trying to help the animals there.
Life behind bars at Zoo Negeri Johor, Malaysia.Imagine a zoo where the primates are begging, reaching their hands out of the cages asking for food. Imagine a zoo where the animals are constantly displaying abnormal stereotypic behaviours. Imagine a zoo where enclosures are so filthy that a stench reeks from the enclosures. Imagine a zoo where animals are housed in enclosures resembling wells. Imagine a zoo where animals are housed in enclosures so small that the size is barely 0.001 percent the size of their natural homes.
Does a zoo like this exist? Does it have a place or any role in our society today? Since 2001, with the help of the International Primate Protection League (IPPL), Acres has been investigating Zoo Negeri Johor in Malaysia. The conditions for the animals are far from acceptable and are, in fact, appalling. The paragraph above aptly describes the living conditions.
Toney the chimpanzees' storyFor almost 30 years, Toney, a female chimpanzee lived in a small, barren cage at Zoo Negeri, Johor. In about 1995, her male partner died and she then lived a solitary life for many years until a new cage mate was acquired. While she was living in the cage, a behavioural study was conducted on her and the results proved beyond doubt that she was suffering each day she was kept in these conditions. She displayed a wide range of abnormal stereotypic behaviours repeatedly. These ranged from eating her faeces to regurgitating her food to rocking and swaying. These behaviours are clearly an indication of an abnormal animal-environment interaction. For most wild mammals in captivity, this probably means that the animal grew up in or is currently living in an environment suboptimal for meeting its natural, species-specific behavioural needs.
Since 2001, things have improved slightly for Toney. Toney was finally moved out of the cage into a larger enclosure. However, she now lives in a pit. The zoo also acquired a new male chimpanzee who now shares the enclosure with her. While this may be an improvement in her living conditions and might stimulate some social activity, Toney’s living conditions are still far from ideal.
New animals, old abusesIt is highly questionable whether the zoo should import any new animals when conditions remain unacceptable for all of the animals currently at the zoo. Any available funds should be directed to improving the existing enclosures to meet an acceptable standard before the import of any new animals.
However, since 2001, the zoo has brought in countless new animals including an orang utan, a siamang, a capuchin, a gibbon, Malayan sun bears, macaques and a large number of other animals. These animals are once again housed in appalling conditions. A new infant gibbon seen in 2001, for example, was housed in a cage measuring approximately 0.5 metres by 0.5 metres. This infant was far from the weaning age but was no longer with her mother. She was now living a solitary life.
Animals used for entertainmentZoo Negeri Johor also exploits the animals for entertainment purposes. A lion has been seen being used for photography sessions. Baby gibbons and other animals such as shy, nocturnal slow lorises who are confined in small cages in the blazing sun have also been seen to be used as ‘photo props’. Infant pig-tailed macaques and long-tailed macaques and even young Malayan sun bears are chained to the ground for visitors to touch and tease. Visitors can cuddle and take photos with all these animals upon request. These macaques, gibbons and several other primates and also the bear cubs are far from the weaning age and should be with their mothers.
ARCES work.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Singapore Zoo Host REPTILE SPECIES IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP
For two and half days, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia (The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network) together with the Singapore Zoo will share their expertise with 29 Immigration and Checkpoint Authority officers (ICA), and 10 officers from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), in the first joint workshop on reptile identification in Singapore.
The workshop, hosted by the Singapore Zoo, will be held from October 3 – 5, 2007. It is part of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s continuing effort to increase the capacity of enforcement officers in this region to combat the illegal wildlife trade. Reptiles in particular are one of the most heavily traded species groups, particularly for Singapore.
“More than just a classroom exercise, in this workshop, participants will get hands-on practical exercise in handling live specimens from the reptile family and in identifying different types of skins and products some animals are highly traded for,” said Ms Fanny Lai, Executive Director of Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.
The workshop will focus on the identification of the four main species groups – snakes, turtles and tortoises, lizards and crocodiles. There will be practical tips on identifying species through both classroom teaching as well as demonstration of live specimens and by-products. The lead trainer for this workshop is Dr Mark Auliya, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s Scientific Officer who has over thirteen years of field experience and who has published several books and numerous research reports.
From earlier workshops given by TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia on regulating wildlife trade and the implementation of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) it has become clear that identification of species in trade is the most important training priority of enforcement officers in this region. For certain species of rare reptiles, trade is the single biggest threat to their continual survival in the wild.
"The training aims to further equip the enforcement and ports officers with the knowledge of CITES and useful identification skills for the different types of reptile species, in order to enhance the implementation of CITES and to combat any illegal reptile trade through Singapore," said Dr. Ms Lye Fong Keng, Head of AVA's Wildlife Regulatory.
The Singapore Zoo has officially been designated as the rescue centre by AVA in caring for confiscated animals. In 2002, in collaboration with AVA, the Singapore Zoo successfully repatriated about 2000 star tortoises, a CITES listed species, to India to be released to their natural environment. "The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is always looking into ways to enhance our capabilities to deter the smuggling of unlawful items into Singapore. We look forward to an enriching workshop organised by the TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and the Singapore Zoo," said Mrs Samantha Toh- Koh, Head, Training Branch, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.
In addition to reptile identification, the workshop will also cover case studies, past seizure cases of reptiles on a global level, wildlife trade and CITES by Traffic Southeast Asia and a module on handling and temporary care of confiscated specimens by staff from the Singapore Zoo.
The workshop, hosted by the Singapore Zoo, will be held from October 3 – 5, 2007. It is part of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s continuing effort to increase the capacity of enforcement officers in this region to combat the illegal wildlife trade. Reptiles in particular are one of the most heavily traded species groups, particularly for Singapore.
“More than just a classroom exercise, in this workshop, participants will get hands-on practical exercise in handling live specimens from the reptile family and in identifying different types of skins and products some animals are highly traded for,” said Ms Fanny Lai, Executive Director of Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.
The workshop will focus on the identification of the four main species groups – snakes, turtles and tortoises, lizards and crocodiles. There will be practical tips on identifying species through both classroom teaching as well as demonstration of live specimens and by-products. The lead trainer for this workshop is Dr Mark Auliya, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia’s Scientific Officer who has over thirteen years of field experience and who has published several books and numerous research reports.
From earlier workshops given by TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia on regulating wildlife trade and the implementation of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) it has become clear that identification of species in trade is the most important training priority of enforcement officers in this region. For certain species of rare reptiles, trade is the single biggest threat to their continual survival in the wild.
"The training aims to further equip the enforcement and ports officers with the knowledge of CITES and useful identification skills for the different types of reptile species, in order to enhance the implementation of CITES and to combat any illegal reptile trade through Singapore," said Dr. Ms Lye Fong Keng, Head of AVA's Wildlife Regulatory.
The Singapore Zoo has officially been designated as the rescue centre by AVA in caring for confiscated animals. In 2002, in collaboration with AVA, the Singapore Zoo successfully repatriated about 2000 star tortoises, a CITES listed species, to India to be released to their natural environment. "The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is always looking into ways to enhance our capabilities to deter the smuggling of unlawful items into Singapore. We look forward to an enriching workshop organised by the TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and the Singapore Zoo," said Mrs Samantha Toh- Koh, Head, Training Branch, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.
In addition to reptile identification, the workshop will also cover case studies, past seizure cases of reptiles on a global level, wildlife trade and CITES by Traffic Southeast Asia and a module on handling and temporary care of confiscated specimens by staff from the Singapore Zoo.
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