For a better future. Please stop those Finger pointings!

Politicians are gathered to talk about our future, climate cahnge and environmental issues.

Environment ministers are holding talks at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen amid threats of large-scale protests by environmental groups.

Activists, angered by logistical issues and a lack of progress on a deal, have vowed to disrupt proceedings.

The White House said President Barack Obama, who will join world leaders in Copenhagen later in the week, is confident of reaching a deal.

Talks are deadlocked over emission cuts and financial aid for poorer countries.

For the last two mornings, thousands of campaigners have queued for hours to gain access to the conference venue - many unsuccessfully.

Now, with ministers and their aides joining the conference, the organisers have slashed the number of other delegates allowed in.

A spokeswoman from the Climate Justice Action group says demonstrations amounting to "mass civil disobedience" are planned for Wednesday.

The groups says some 15,000 delegates have been effectively "locked out" of the summit by being refused accreditation or experiencing long delays in their applications.

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is already in Copenhagen, told reporters on Tuesday that it was a critical moment.

"This is a very important moment for the world," Mr Brown said.

"It is possible that we will not get an agreement and it is also true that there are many issues to be sorted out. But I am determined... to do everything I can to bring the world together."

Stumbling blocks

The high-level phase of the talks began on Tuesday, with environment ministers and negotiators from 193 countries struggling to make progress on core issues.

"There is no understatement that with your signatures you will write our future," Britain's Prince Charles told the gathering.

More than 120 leaders will formally join the talks on Thursday, aiming to seal an accord by Friday.

Just days before a climate deal is due to be completed, there is clearly still an immense amount of negotiating left to do, says the BBC's environment correspondent Richard Black from Copenhagen.

Unresolved issues include:

the size of emissions cuts by developed nations
how finance should be raised and disbursed, and
most fundamentally, whether a deal here should aim to keep the global temperature rise to 2C or just 1.5C
However, the White House said President Obama, who is due to join the summit on Friday, is confident of securing a deal.

"The president believes that we can get... an operational agreement that makes sense in Copenhagen, over the next few days," spokesman Robert Gibbs told a briefing.

However the American negotiator at the conference said he did not expect to offer any further cuts in US carbon emissions.

Developing countries have accused industrialised nations of going back on their commitment to fight climate change.

Extinction of the Human race!

Time to Start fucking U Animals!

Australian and Chinese officials urged two bamboo-munching giant pandas on Sunday to consider reproducing during their 10-year residency Down Under. Wang Wang and Funi, on loan from China, arrived at the Adelaide Zoo in Australia two weeks ago but were officially welcomed Sunday by leaders at the opening ceremony of their 8 million Australian dollar ($7.25 million) enclosure. Their exhibit opened to the public on Monday. "Look after yourselves, keep healthy and active, eat your greens and maybe, when the time is right, think about starting a family," Governor General Quentin Bryce said in a speech directed at Funi and Wang Wang, who were sprawled against nearby boulders, chewing bamboo shoots. "There are not enough of you in this world." Chinese Ambassador Zhang Junsai said he was already thinking of Australian names for a possible panda cub. "Wang Wang and Funi carry the friendship and greetings from the Chinese people," he told the gathering, explaining that Funi means "Lucky Girl" and Wang Wang means "Net Net." "Who can rule out the possibility that the lucky girl will fall into the net of love and later have a lovely baby?" Zhang said. "This would be a great achievement of the joint Australia-China conservation program." The pandas, 3 and 4 years old, are the only giant pandas in the southern hemisphere. Chinese President Hu Jintao offered the pandas as a goodwill gesture during a 2007 visit to Australia.

I will be Back!

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to carry California's climate change story to a conference in Copenhagen this week, a move that will burnish his international image as a leader in the war on global warming.

He'll also take an entourage of 20 administration officials to Denmark. Three nonprofit organizations are picking up the tab.

Administration officials say the trip and a speech Schwarzenegger will deliver on Tuesday at the United Nations conference will underscore how he has fought a political guerrilla war to cut greenhouse gas emissions – often against naysayers in his own Republican Party – as a state executive acting on what is usually considered a national or international issue.

Zoo Deaths

The Calgary Zoo has announced it will commission what it is calling an "independent review" of all of its animal care practices and policies.

The statement comes just days after CTV News broke the story of the death of an animal at the zoo.

That animal, a South American capybara, died December 5th in what is described as an unfortunate incident involving human error.

After an investigation, an employee of the zoo was reassigned and suspended for two days.

The death is the latest in a number of animal deaths at the zoo over the past few years, including dozens of stingrays and a baby elephant.

Critics have demanded a review.

On Saturday afternoon, the zoo's president, Dr. Clement Lanthier, issued the following statement:


"Good afternoon, thank you for joining us today. While we always love to see people at the Zoo on a weekend, we normally would have waited for a weekday to invite you here. But what I have to tell you today is, I believe, a matter of urgency and importance to both the Calgary Zoo and the citizens of our community.

For the past two years, the Zoo has been the target of a great deal of criticism, some of it deserved but much of it not, for the quality of our operation. As President and CEO, I have always subscribed to the notion that even a world-class organization can become better if it is prepared to accept and act upon constructive criticism. We are no exception to that rule. Sadly, however, much of what I have seen and heard over the past two years has been far from constructive.

As gratifying as it is to know that we enjoy tremendous support from our community, I worry that some of our critics do not want to see this Zoo improved--they want to see it closed. That is not what Calgary wants, nor, of course, what our 200 employees, 600 volunteers, 80,000 members and 1.2 million visitors every year want. No matter how unsubstantiated or unfair, criticism can raise doubt in people's minds, particularly if there is no objective, independent way to verify the accuracy of that criticism.

It is for this reason that I am announcing today my immediate intention to commission a comprehensive, independent review of all of our animal care practices and policies. On Monday morning I will be contacting the Presidents of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, in Washington, D.C., and of the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums in Ottawa. For those of you who are not familiar with these organizations, they are the accrediting bodies that set the standards of care for zoos and aquariums in Canada, the United States and other Western Hemisphere countries. The AZA also provides leadership, guidance and training to professionals in more than 200 institutions that include the largest and most highly regarded facilities on this continent, such as the San Diego Zoo, Bronx Zoo and Disney's Animal Kingdom.

I will be asking the two organizations to appoint a joint panel of highly qualified individuals--completely independent of the Calgary Zoo--to conduct a thorough review of all aspects of animal care at our institution, including staff experience, training, veterinary care, policy and procedure and any other facet of our animal care operation they believe to be relevant to their enquiry.


My objectives in this process are threefold:

To commission an expert assessment of the quality of our animal care that will provide an authoritative, unbiased and knowledgeable perspective on the standards we have in place and whether any improvements can be made.
To maintain the strong support we have enjoyed from our community and to reassure Calgarians that they can continue to have confidence in the institution they hold dear.
To recognize the incredible work done by so many of our staff and volunteers which has been the target of much unfair criticism.

When this review is complete, a summary of its findings and all of the recommendations arising from it will be made available to Calgarians. We have never taken the support of our community for granted and do not intend to now. The animal deaths we have witnessed over the past couple of years--most recently the unfortunate incident involving one of our capybara--have been cited by our critics as examples of something being "wrong" at the Zoo. To continue their support for this institution, our community needs answers--not more accusations, allegations and irresponsible criticism, but documented facts that will give them good reason to maintain their confidence in us. The review I am announcing today will provide those facts.

Let me conclude by saying that as President and CEO, I am not prepared to stand by and watch self-proclaimed experts undermine the treasured relationship we have with the literally millions of people who have visited, contributed to, volunteered for, worked on behalf of and developed a strong and enduring affection for a Zoo that is one of this community's most valuable assets. By linking together a series of unrelated incidents in an effort to establish some kind of pattern, many of these critics have attempted to further their own agenda of manipulating public opinion and diverting attention away from the vitally important work that zoos, including the Calgary Zoo, do to protect animals and their habitats-- something for which these critics can claim absolutely no credit.

This institution has stood as a point of pride in our city and our country, gaining national and international stature for its work in conservation, research and education. As its President and CEO, I have a duty to uphold its values, implement change where change is warranted and, above all, ensure that it continues to play an important part in the lives of people who truly love, enjoy and respect life on earth."

Its all about sperm and egg

Beloved National Zoo panda going to China
Under agreement, cubs born at the zoo must be sent to China for breeding

A young giant panda who became a major draw after his birth at Washington's National Zoo will leave for China early next year for breeding.

Zoo officials announced Friday that Tai Shan (pronounced "ty shawn") will be leaving the Smithsonian Institution park as soon as January or February.

Panda mother Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) and father Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN) are on a 10-year, $10 million loan to the zoo until December 2010.

Stop prostituting US!

Singapore Zoo breeds rare Komodo dragon

Singapore Zoo has successfully bred the highly-endangered Komodo dragon, officials said Monday, reporting that the rare baby reptile was in good health.

Singapore Zoo has successfully bred the highly-endangered Komodo dragon, officials said Monday, reporting that the rare baby reptile was in good health.

The 40-centimetre (16-inch) hatchling is the first Komodo dragon born in an Asian zoo outside Indonesia, the native home of the world's largest lizard species, a spokeswoman told AFP.

In a press statement, assistant director of zoology Biswajit Guha said the hatching of the Komodo dragon, whose gender has not been confirmed, "is one of the most significant moments" for the zoo, one of Singapore's top attractions.

The breeding of Komodo dragons in captivity "is fraught with difficulties due to incompatible pairings, dearth of experience in egg incubation and over-representation of males in zoos," he said.

The reptiles are considered one of Indonesia's national treasures. Komodos can grow up to three metres (10 feet) in length and weigh up to 140 kilograms (310 pounds).

They are listed as "vulnerable" in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.

Only 3,000 of the poisonous lizards, native to Komodo and a few other islands in eastern Indonesia, remain in the wild, according to another campaign group, The Nature Conservancy, which does field work in the area.

The reptiles live on a diet of large mammals, reptiles and birds, but have been known to attack humans.

An Indonesian fisherman was mauled to death by a Komodo dragon in March after he ventured into a remote island sanctuary.

They Pledged to cut our Carburns

SINGAPORE'S leaders have thrown their political weight behind the upcoming climate change negotiations in Copenhagen by pledging to cut the city-state's carbon emissions growth by 16 per cent below 'business as usual' levels by 2020.

Announcing this on Wednesday, Senior Minister S Jayakumar said that this was on condition of a global deal on climate change being reached at the Copenhagen talks, which begin on Monday.

As a low-lying island, Singapore is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and a rise in sea-level can have serious consequences for us, said Mr Jayakumar. 'So despite the fact that Singapore contributes to only 0.2 per cent of global carbon emissions, it will play its part,' he said.

The voluntary actions to acheive this target will be through a combination of regulatory and fiscal measures, he said. Details will be announced at a later date.

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, who was also at the briefing, said the 16 per cent figure was a 'stretched target' derived from some of the targets in the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint launched in April. The blueprint was a national plan on how Singapore could further reduce its carbon emissions.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim added that even though Singapore is in a disadvantaged position, with little alternative forms of energy available, it wanted to show leadership by committing to this target, to help reach a global deal by the end of the Copenhagen negotiations.

PM Lee doing His bit to stop World's climate change

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday urged members to actively engage in the issue of climate change at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Commonwealth gathering is the last international meeting before the Copenhagen summit next month.

Reflecting the urgency in talks, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Denmark's Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen have all made their way to Trinidad.

The Commonwealth Summit is on the back of a post-crisis landscape and at a time when world leaders are struggling to reach a global consensus on climate change.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II opened the meeting, and said the Commonwealth has an opportunity to shape world response to the challenge.

"The Commonwealth has an opportunity to lead once more. The threat to our environment is not a new concern, but it is now a global challenge which will continue to affect the security and stability of millions for years to come," said the Queen, who is also Commonwealth Head.

"Many of those affected are among the most vulnerable, and many of the people least well able to withstand the adverse effects of Climate Change live in the Commonwealth."

Speaking at the leaders' retreat, PM Lee said countries should do what is practical and sensible, keeping in mind the costs, trade-offs and political realities.

He added Singapore will do its part but developed countries will have to take the lead because they are major emitters of carbon.

Island states, he noted, are particularly worried about rising sea levels.

Mr Lee said developing nations must too share in this effort as their populations are equally, if not more vulnerable.

The Commonwealth includes countries such as Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and Britain - important members of the Group of 20 (G20).

Analysts will look to statements from the Commonwealth as an indicator of what the more influential G20 may reach on climate change.

The 53-member Commonwealth is a diverse group, and includes some of the world's richest and poorest countries, accounting for one-third of the world's population and one-fifth of global trade.

PM Lee is set to attend next month's UN meeting on climate change in Copenhagen.

Leaders will try to agree on a pact to reduce carbon emissions during the Copenhagen meet.

Whether that will take the form of a legal treaty or a mere political declaration remains to be seen, but what leaders want is a significant agreement to reduce the ill effects of climate change.

Australia's Panda

Plans for River Safari - started in Feb 2009

http://www.wrs.com.sg/images/NR-River-Safari-11-Feb-09.pdf

NEWS RELEASE WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE BUILDS RIVER SAFARI, ASIA’S FIRST RIVER-THEMED ANIMAL ATTRACTION - S$140 million project scheduled for completion in 2011 Singapore, February 11, 2009, Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) plans to build a river-themed animal attraction that will contribute to Singapore?s tourism landscape and enhance the range of excellent nature-themed attractions in Singapore. Located within the 89-hectare compound of the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari premises, this attraction will be Asia?s first river-themed park. Comprising boat rides, displays of freshwater habitats and other highlights, it will offer a close-up multi-sensory experience for the young and old. The project is expected to inject S$140 million into Singapore?s economy. Construction will begin in 2009, and the park is targeted for completion in 2011. The new park is estimated to attract at least 750,000 visitors annually.

Strong message of conservation Says Ms Fanny Lai, Group CEO, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, “The aim of River Safari is to create a greater awareness of freshwater habitat conservation. Freshwater habitats are ecosystems that depend on water flow for their environmental health, and can include caves, swamps, floodplains, rivers and lakes. The term „wetlands' is often used to describe these rich habitats, which carry the most species per unit. However, their biodiversity is disappearing at a faster rate than the forest and marine biomes, with a reported 50% decline in the freshwater species population index in 30 years since 1970. The River Safari attraction will educate visitors on the conservation of fresh water habitats, and also introduce them to the ecosystem?s interesting water wildlife. It will also complement our current collection at our other three parks. “We started working on this idea about two years ago and we believe this is an opportune time to embark on this project.” Built with Environmental Sensitivity As the attraction is located within its current 89 hectare compound, the new development will have minimal impact on the Mandai Nature Reserve area. WRS team had earlier consulted the various government bodies such as NParks and PUB on the environmental viability of the project. For example, it carried out a survey to identify the trees that will be affected by the development. Instead of felling the trees, it is carefully preparing the process of relocating them. In addition to this, WRS plans to plant more than 30,000 new trees in this attraction. Some of the current animal exhibits will be relocated to make way for this attraction. WRS will also acquire new species of animals to reside in the various habitats through animal exchange programmes with other zoological institutions.

Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) is the parent company of the award-winning attractions – Jurong BirdPark, Night Safari and Singapore Zoo. WRS strives to be a world-class leisure attraction, providing excellent exhibits of animals (and birds) presented in their natural environment for the purpose of conservation, education and recreation. Last year (2008), Jurong BirdPark served 900,000 visitors, the Night Safari, more than 1.1 million visitors and Singapore Zoo welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors. WRS parks have been conferred the Best Leisure Attraction Experience Award at the Singapore Tourism Awards 18 times. The record achievement affirms WRS parks? status as Singapore?s premier leisure venues. In the areas of conservation and research, WRS parks have undertaken multiple projects through collaborations with various organisations and institution on pangolins, frogs, and proboscis monkeys. In 2008, conservation efforts undertaken include animal exchange of endangered species with zoos overseas. All WRS parks are designated wildlife rescue centres by the governing authority.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF: Wildlife Reserves Singapore BY: Citigate Dewe Rogerson, i.MAGE Pte Ltd 1 Raffles Place #26-02 OUB Centre SINGAPORE 048616 CONTACT: Ms Yu Poh Leng / Ms Eileen Bakri at telephone DURING OFFICE HOURS: 6534-5122 (Office) AFTER OFFICE HOURS: 9667-5837 / 9781-0737 (Mobile)
EMAIL: pohleng.yu@citigatedrimage.com /
eileen.bakri@citigatedrimage.com February 11, 2009

So they already knew the Pandas are coming!

Nature - We Must!

I came across this blog, asking us whether preserving our nature is necessary...

http://blog.simplyjean.com/2007/11/21/is-nature-important-in-singapore/

Is nature important in Singapore?
Singapore November 21st, 2007
I came across this article in the Prime News section and it mentioned about worries of development work in Mandai affecting the nature reserve and it set me thinking – how important are forests to Singapore? Does Singapore bother about whether we lose our nature?

No doubt Singapore is boasted as a Green City, with trees and shrubs to help provide a nice environment and to turn the overwhelming concrete jungles of Shenton Way into a seemingly nicer place to live in, but when it comes to preserving nature, how well does the government/statutory boards consider it?

I was following the concerns that the Nature Society had put forth to the Minister of State for Trade and Industry and his reply hinted of higher costs, which he probably felt could be circumvented by asking the developer to be sensitive to the environment.

I wonder what constitutes that “sensitivity to the environment”, or does it matter at all?

China: What is two Panda when we have so many?

Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) is the parent company of award-winning attractions Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari and Singapore Zoo. WRS parks strive to be world-class leisure attractions, providing excellent exhibits of animals and birds presented in their natural environment for the purpose of conservation, education and recreation. In 2008, Jurong Bird Park served 900,000 visitors, the Night Safari, more than 1.1 million visitors and Singapore Zoo welcomed more than 1.6 million visitors.

WRS parks have been conferred the Best Leisure Attraction Experience Award at the Singapore Tourism Awards 18 times. The record achievement affirms WRS parks’ status as Singapore’s premier leisure venues.

In the areas of conservation and research, WRS parks have undertaken multiple projects, which focus on species such as the oriental pied hornbill, pangolin and orang utan, through collaborations with various organisations and institutions. Recent conservation efforts include hosting a regional Asian pangolin conservation workshop. All WRS parks are designated wildlife rescue centres by the governing authority.

Panda mania hits Singapore

Climb the Great Wall, wander the grounds of the Forbidden City, partake in Peking duck and watch the marching guards in Tian'anmen Square these are some of the things I have done in Beijing that allow me to tell others I have seen it all after more than two years in the capital.

Well, except maybe for the giant pandas at the Beijing Zoo.

My fellow Singaporean colleague tells me the bears are the best attraction there, a view that is endorsed by the visitors from home and abroad that I hear swarm the site on any holiday.

It is hard not to like the pandas here in China. They are one of the country's most successful envoys and never fail to capture the hearts of young and old - from being stuffed toys in souvenir shops along hutong alleyways or as the mascot for the World Wildlife Fund.

So it is only understandable that the press here have gone gaga over the news that China is sending two giant pandas to the city-state.

President Hu Jintao, who is on a state visit to Singapore before attending key events of the APEC forum there this week, announced that the two animals will arrive in their host country in 2011.

The pandas, a 1-year-old female and 2-year-old male, come from the Wolong nature reserve in Sichuan province and are expected to be in Singapore for a decade.

The announcement of their stay could not have come at a better time.

President Hu said "China and Singapore enjoy geographical proximity, friendly sentiments and a shared language" and that Sino-Singapore relations will reach "a new high", while Singapore's President SR Nathan said the two countries are at "the cusp of a new chapter" as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

Singapore is a key partner of China, with bilateral trade reaching $52.4 billion last year, up more than 10 percent from the previous year.

So it is fitting that the island republic now joins a handful of other countries to receive the bears through the latest instance of "panda diplomacy", in which the pandas have proven to be crowd-pullers wherever they go.

Once the animals are in Singapore, authorities said they will also be part of research on breeding as well as a conservation program to raise awareness of endangered species. Less than 2,000 pandas are said to be left in the world, with less than 300 of these in captivity in Wolong and abroad.

Experts from China are also expected to help trainers in Singapore handle the furry visitors, while select bamboo - the staple diet of pandas - will be planted and a special enclosure set up to house the bears.

All these preparations are in line with the high expectations of many Singaporeans who have embraced panda mania.

Singapore student Jean Lim said she is very excited about the pandas' arrival, even though that is still more than a year away.

"It'll be great to have pandas here I won't have to rush to places like Beijing or Sichuan to see them," said Lim, 20. "The wait will be worthwhile."

Pandas for Singapore

HERE is the first glimpse of the pair of fuzzy darlings that are headed our way in the second half of 2011.

The two-year-old male and one-year-old female giant pandas are currently in China's panda reserve in Wolong in Sichuan province. They each have a twin sibling, which Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) hopes will enhance their chance of reproducing when they get here.

The pandas will make their public debut in 2012 when WRS' new $140 million river themed animal attraction, the River Safari, opens. WRS is building a special enclosure for them, which will be full climate controlled with air-conditioning set at 18 to 22 deg C and humidity level set at 50 to 60 per cent all year round.

The cute envoys for Singapore were announced by Chinese President Hu Jintao at an Istana state banquet on Wednesday night to mark 20 years of China-Singapore relations. They will be here as part of a 10-year reseach and conservation collaboration between WRS and China Wildlife Conservation Association.

WRS will also start a breeding programme of the endangered species. There are some 1,600 pandas left in the wild and another 200 up in captivity left in the world.

Singapore will be the seventh country to receive a pair of pandas from China, after Austria, Australia, Japan, Spain, Thailand and the United States. Taiwan also received a pair last year as a sign of warming relations between the two straits.

The bears will be named when they arrive in Singapore.

APEC 2009

S'pore rolling out red carpet for very special guests

IF YOU are impressed with preparations for visiting dignitaries this week, then you will be floored by the red carpet being rolled out for two very special VIPs - Very Important Pandas.

The pandas do not hit town until late 2011. But much work has to be done ahead of their arrival in Singapore, as part of a 10-year collaboration with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

Their staple diet - bamboo - has to be planted, the posh climate-controlled enclosure built and the keepers trained. A team of experts from China will come over to provide guidance.

The aim is help conserve the endangered species, raise awareness, and to start a breeding and research programme.

A key step will be taken today when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Chinese President Hu Jintao witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the project.

Ms Fanny Lai, chief executive of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said the pandas will be the star attractions in the new US$140 million (S$194 million) River Safari facility that will open in 2012. 'We are very excited about this,' she said. 'It is the dream of every zoo in the world to be able to work with the giant pandas.'

The one-year-old female and two-year-old male have been bred in captivity at the Wolong panda reserve in China's Sichuan province. They will undergo one month of quarantine in Singapore and will need another five months to acclimatise to their new surroundings before they make their public debut in 2012.

Home will be a spacious 1,600 sq m enclosure. It will simulate the four seasons the pandas are used to, with air-conditioning set at between 18 deg C and 22 deg C and humidity at 50 per cent to 60 per cent. The park is also planting different species of bamboo to meet their dietary requirement of about 20kg of the grass a day.

The pandas will be named after they arrive, but Ms Lai said they have yet to work out how it will be done. She added that while the programme was for 10 years, it could be extended. She declined to say how much it will cost to maintain the pandas, but it takes about $1 million a year to upkeep an animal exhibit zone in the Singapore Zoo. CapitaLand has signed on as a corporate sponsor for an undisclosed sum.

Cuddly pandas are a huge draw for any zoo, but their presence in Singapore has a serious side for Ms Lai - initiating a successful breeding programme.

There are about 1,800 pandas in the world, including 268 in captivity. The 30 that are in zoos outside China have produced 12 babies, and Ms Lai hopes Singapore can add to the number. The bears coming here have twin siblings, which will increase their chances of reproduction.

Giant pandas, which are found only in China, are threatened by loss of habitat, poaching and a low birth rate. Females in the wild normally have a cub once every two to three years. Any offspring will be returned to China, which considers pandas a national treasure.

It is not the first time that Singapore has hosted pandas. In 1990, a pair, An-An and Xin-Xing, were here for 100 days. In 1988, Jiao Jiao the performing panda visited with the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.

Singapore Zoo - Panda deal

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
11 NOVEMBER 2009

Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) Press Release
Singapore, November 11, 2009 - Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), parent company of Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari and Singapore Zoo will receive a pair of male and female Giant Pandas from China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) as part of a joint collaboration to promote giant panda conservation, raise public awareness of conservation and implement a giant panda breeding research programme. The pandas are symbolic of the close relationship between Singapore and China as the Republic celebrates the 20th Anniversary of friendly Sino-Singapore relations. This was announced by President Hu Jintao following a meeting with President S R Nathan earlier this evening.

The two pandas, which are scheduled to arrive in Singapore in the second half of 2011, will have a new home at the River Safari, the fourth and latest nature park by WRS. Preliminary work for River Safari has begun and construction is due to be completed by mid-2011. Visitors will be able to see the pandas when River Safari opens its doors in early 2012.
Both WRS and CWCA will ink their commitment to the conservation collaboration through an Agreement with the objective of knowledge exchange on reproductive science and education on wildlife in China.
The partnership will be sealed at a signing ceremony on November 12 in the presence of President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, signaling high-level support from both governments.
"We are pleased that the pandas mark the strong and continuing friendship between the two countries. The strong support from both our governments will give us great impetus to work with our Chinese counterpart in global nature and wildlife conservation, and to learn, adopt and implement best practices. This collaboration will also boost greater interest in the areas of conservation, especially for the giant pandas," said Ms Claire Chiang, WRS' Chairman.
To support this conservation effort, CapitaLand Limited, one of Asia's largest real estate companies with a strong presence in China for 15 years, has pledged a conservation donation to support the 10-year collaborative programme.

Mr Liew Mun Leong, President and CEO of CapitaLand Group, said: "Over the last 15 years, CapitaLand has actively participated in China's urbanisation. Today, we have an extensive presence with a portfolio worth over S$20 billion (on a when-completed basis) comprising about 100 projects spanning 40 cities across China. This conservation donation is yet another testament of CapitaLand's long-term commitment to China. This collaborative effort will raise cultural exchange and understanding between the two countries and further strengthen the strong relationship between Singapore and China."

Husbandry and Veterinary Care
"With WRS' Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre established since 2006, we have the necessary infrastructure in place - latest technology in veterinary equipment and animal management team with extensive field experience - to care for the giant pandas. Through close collaboration with the CWCA, we will be even better positioned to achieve our objectives of promoting giant panda conservation and raise public awareness of conservation. Along with all Singaporeans, we eagerly await the arrival of the pandas," said Ms Fanny Lai, WRS' Group CEO.

WRS has identified a team of zookeepers and veterinarians to look after the husbandry needs and veterinary care of the pandas. During the next two years, zookeepers will receive training on the husbandry, nutrition and housing of pandas. A researcher on the team will monitor as well as study the husbandry, nutrition, behaviour and reproduction of the pandas.
In addition, a team of panda experts from China will come to Singapore to provide training as well as expert guidance on creating the ideal environment for the pandas.
Caring for pandas is not new to WRS. In 1990 one of WRS' parks, Singapore Zoo, welcomed and cared for two giant pandas "An-An" and "Xin-Xing" for 100 days.

Exhibit, Housing and Conservation Education
In line with the needs of the pandas, their new home at the River Safari will be designed and constructed to meet the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) standards.
As a strong proponent of conservation education, WRS will be looking at enriching visitors' experience with panda conservation interpretives, educational programmes and behind-the-scenes experience on panda care.

River Safari
River Safari will be located along Mandai Lake Road, adjacent to Night Safari and Singapore Zoo. The new attraction will be Asia's first river-themed animal park comprising of boat rides, display of freshwater habitats and other highlights offering close-up multi-sensory experience for the young and old, with the aim to create greater awareness of freshwater habitat conservation. The development will be built with environmental sensitivity and minimal impact on the Mandai Nature Reserve area.

CONTACT: Ms Eileen Bakri / Mrs Elaine Lim
DURING OFFICE HOURS: 6534-5122 (Office)
AFTER OFFICE HOURS: 9781-0737 / 9751-2122 (Mobile)
EMAIL: eileen.bakri@citigatedrimage.com /
elaine.lim@citigatedrimage.com
November 11, 2009

WRS FACTSHEET - GIANT PANDAS
Introduction
Wildlife Reserves Singapore will be the custodian of a pair of Giant Pandas from China. Scheduled to arrive in Singapore in second half of 2011 the pair of male and female pandas, currently two years old and one year old respectively, mark two decades of friendly relations between Singapore and China and their collaboration to promote giant panda conservation through a joint collaborative research programme.

Habitat/ Exhibit
The two giant pandas will be housed at Wildlife Reserves Singapore's River Safari. The exhibit will be constructed according to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums standards. It will be fully air-conditioned and the humidity level kept low. The giant pandas will be housed in a 1600 m2 climate-controlled enclosure, off-exhibit holding area, exercise yard and cubbing den. The entire habitat will be air-conditioned with temperature set between 18 to 220C and humidity controlled at 50 to 60% all year round. The ambient conditions will be adjusted to simulate the four seasons similar to their natural habitat

Diet
The Giant Panda's diet consists mainly of bamboo, vegetables and special foliovore biscuits. It is estimated that a panda's daily intake is about 20kg of bamboo browse per day. In preparation of the pandas' arrival, Wildlife Reserves Singapore plans to cultivate six different bamboo species in its parks.

Conservation
According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Giant Panda is endangered. The contraction of panda population is the result of logging and trees being removed to make way for farming. Conservation efforts include restoring panda habitats such as creating forest reserves and captive breeding programmes.

Husbandry
A team of four dedicated and experienced staff have been identified to care for the pandas. In addition, four staff from China's panda team will be in Singapore - two staff at a time for six months over the one year duration for the training and to see to the establishment of the ideal habitat for the pandas in their new home in Singapore. The pandas will be well cared for by an excellent team of veterinarians, zookeepers, and researchers in line with World Association of Zoos and Aquariums standards and recommendations.

APEC guest to visit Singapore Zoo

Singapore has been ready for the APEC Leaders' Week meetings, which are to be kicked off Sunday with the opening of the Concluding Senior Officials' Meeting.

Around 10,000 delegates, media persons and visitors, including 21 leaders and 63 ministers from the 21 APEC member economies, are arriving in the country. The city's hotels are hustling and bustling for welcoming guests from around the Asia-Pacific regions, with some providing a welcome drink -- a specially concocted APEC cocktail -- to new arrivals.

Those staying at The Fairmont Singapore and Swissotel The Stamford, two designated hotels by the APEC organizing committee, were expected to receive special welcome amenities like APEC souvenirs and a range of gifts and services.

Trainings in service and languages for employees were also provided by hotels to cater to the needs of visitors from around the world.

Local restaurants, already renowned for its fusion meals, came in with new ideas. An APEC-themed menu at O'Leary's, which is a restaurant at the city's iconic attraction Singapore Flyer, included an "Obama burger" in recognition of the U.S. President Barack Obama who will be in town for the Summit.

APEC delegates could also have the chance to taste the country's signature cocktail -- the Singapore Sling, all in celebration of the grouping's 20th anniversary.

The streets of Orchard Road, the main shopping area, and the Marina Bay area, where main tourist attractions were located, lit up for eight weeks as of Saturday, in time for visiting APEC delegates.

Singapore's PM Lee Hsien Loong called on the Singaporeans to become hospitable hosts for the event.

"Whether you are a taxi driver, whether you a staff in a hotel, whether you are asked for directions in the street, or whether you are just going about your business and inconvenienced because the APEC convoy has zoomed by and (caused) a traffic jam, please do your part and show them what Singapore can do," he said at an earlier press conference.

About 1,700 volunteers were chosen out of some 3,000 applicants and would be assigned to cover a wide range of duties, including receiving delegates at the airport and tending to the information booths located at various hotels.

I am a Loud person?

Ms Fanny Lai
Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Ms Fanny Lai is the Group Chief Executive Officer of Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) which comprises Jurong BirdPark, Night Safari and Singapore Zoo. Passionate about wildlife conservation, she volunteered as a docent at Singapore Zoo, prior to joining Singapore Zoological Gardens in 2004. A strong advocate that more people can be inspired to take individual responsibility in wildlife conservation, she has spearheaded a strategic plan for the parks to play a greater role in public education, conservation and research.

Fanny is a member of World Zoo and Aquarium Association (WAZA) and South East Asia Zoo Associations (SEAZA) as well as Council member of Attractions of Singapore Association (ASA). In 2008, she is the first recipient to be awarded Marketing Institute's “Marketer of the Year” Award for her marketing execution that has brought many winnings and successes for Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

She holds an Executive MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

Duck Tours

It's a bus! It's a boat! It's the Original Splashing DUCK! DUCKtours uniquely combines the city and harbour tour on an authentic Vietnam warcraft, offering you 60 minutes of amphibious touring adventure on both land and sea. Come and be entertained by our DUCKtainers. Hold on to your seat as it waddles away and be prepared for a splashing good time! Ask for the Original Award Winning DUCK@Suntec today!Boarding location @ Suntec City (Galleria)

Operating Hours : 10am - 6pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Frequency: Hourly departures
DUCK Capacity: 31 DUCKies
Admission: S$33/Adult
S$17/Child (3-12 years)
S$2/Toddler (Below 3 yrs)
Nearest MRT : City Hall Station

Phone reservation are highly recommended.
Call us @ 6-33-868-77 (TOURS).

"Unique Land & Sea Amphibious
Adventure on a Vietnam War Craft"

http://www.ducktours.com.sg/ducktours.html

Endangered bongo antelope dies at Zoo Atlanta

The oldest known eastern bongo antelope living in captivity has died at Zoo Atlanta.

Zoo President and CEO Dennis Kelly said Tuesday that the 19-year-old animal named Mzima was euthanized after her health declined because of age. The bongo came to the zoo in 2004 from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas.

She was born at the Texas zoo in 1989.

Mzima was the oldest bongo living in an accredited U.S. zoo, and the second-oldest eastern bongo in captivity worldwide. Bongos are among the most endangered animals at the zoo, with just 500 believed to remain in the wild.

The animals are striped with long horns and are native to Africa. The zoo's Web site says the entire wild eastern bongo population now lives in two parks in Kenya.

Zoo Hippo

Birthday Specials at Singapore Zoo

Transform a special day into a wildly extraordinary one when you next visit Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari or Singapore Zoo on your birthday.

From October 1, guests who visit any of the three parks on their birthdays will receive complimentary admission. So if your birthday falls on October 1, do not be bashful to be the first few to enjoy this privilege.

To gain complimentary admission to any of the three parks on their birthdays, visitors only need to present an identification document in exchange for a free birthday badge. And, if you wear the badge throughout the visit, you’ll be pleasantly bombarded with birthday wishes from staff you’ll encounter during the day, a free scoop of ice-cream and a 10% discount at participating retail and F&B outlets*

In conjunction with the Birthday Badge program, Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park also introduced birthday party packages for children below the age of 12. Magical mirthful merriment also awaits those who decide to celebrate at Singapore Zoo’s Rainforest Kidzworld.

Even better, whisk yourselves into an amazing African adventure at Jurong Bird Park’s Bongo Burgers Restaurant. This October, plan an out-of-this-world Halloween-themed birthday bash at either of the parks. Adults, don’t feel left out as customised birthday parties can also be arranged!

The Return of Halloween Horrors at Night Safari

Celebrate Halloween in Singapore Zoo, October's every Fridays and Saturdays.

http://www.halloweenhorrors.com.sg

At Singapore flyer too.

Surfing Internet at Singapore Zoo

A mosque, the zoo and the nature reserve of Sungei Buloh have something in common - access to Wireless@SG coverage.

Local wireless providers have, since the rollout of the free wireless broadband network in 2006, been expanding the reach of the network to include even unlikely locations such as places of worship and nature reserves.

Three years ago, 600 places were covered. Today, the number is 7,500 and counting.

The three providers SingTel, iCell and Qala name fast food restaurants, shopping malls and libraries as the most popular spots where people log on to the Internet.

iCell's top 10 list of popular hotspots include Little India (fifth), shopping mall IMM (ninth) and the City Plaza mall in Paya Lebar (10th).

KK Women's & Children's Hospital and Singapore General Hospital took second and third spots on iCell's list after the National Library.

It says the demand for connectivity at hospitals arises out of the long waiting times there. Indeed, people who log on while at KKH and SGH spend 19,751 hours and 25,540 hours respectively online every month.

SingTel also covers quirky places such as the MacRitchie Reservoir, the zoo and Jurong Bird Park, with the latter two locations becoming more popular.

Zoo's Baby Boom

A spectacled owl mother and baby...


One of the three new baby Bush Dogs born recently at Chester Zoo


A lion tailed macaque mom and child snuggle up


Bella, Chester Zoo's latest giraffe arrival, is seen here just yesterday with a doting Mom...

Singapore Zoo Shooting for ClubSNAP

Any one keen to join me at Singapore Zoo coming sunday? 13 Sept 8.30am - 10.00am

SK LEE

Rojak Anyone?

The National Environment Agency has given itself a pat on the shoulder for raising the hygiene standards of Singapore’s food stalls.

More than 90 per cent of Singapore’s food stalls have achieved either an A or B grading for hygiene standards, and there was no stall with D grading, it said.

NEA officers have been actively visiting stalls and distributing educational pamphlets on hygiene to the stall holders in the aftermath of Singapore’s worst mass food poisoning outbreak in April this year.

Three Singaporeans died from eating contaminated food from an Indian Rojak stall which was graded a “B” by NEA. There was one miscarriage and over 100 casualties.

It turned out that it was in fact graded a “C” but somehow the stall holder did not receive the new label. The lapse in surveillance had dealt a blow to NEA’s reputation.

The temporary market committee which was supposed to oversee the cleanliness of the site was not taken to task.

Neither did NEA’s CEO Andrew Tan or the Minister of Environment Yaacob Ibrahim offer Singaporeans any apology. Instead, Singaporeans were blamed for their poor hygiene standards.

The Indian rojak man was subsequently charged in court. There were no updates about his case so far.

Following public furore over the standard of public hygiene at hawker centers and markets, the NEA introduced a series of stringent measures to raise the hygiene level.

Singapore is famous for her cleanliness and efficiency.

Feeling Poorer during Singapore trip

People feels that Singapore is getting too expensive. Do you think so?

After our 30 days in Indonesia, our next stop was Singapore.

What a difference a day makes!
After the bedlam, chaos and frenetic activity of Medan we arrived in Singapore – it was like stepping on to a different planet – clean, organised, manicured and ordered.

We had 2 reasons to visit Singapore, one to see the sites and the other to meet some of Paul’s old workmates from the Philippines’ who have now moved to Singapore. We were met at the airport by our guide for our visit - Paul’s old team mate Pretty Pink Mitz (PPM)! Unfortunately PPM is not known for her sense of direction and before we even left the airport, she managed to get us lost trying to find our way to the train to the city!

For the first day and a half I partook in some retail therapy. Singapore has an incredible number of shops – where as London has Oxford Street, Singapore has Orchard Road. The difference is Oxford Street is a road of shops, Orchard Road is a street of malls, they go on and on and on – clothes, electronics, gadgets, tailors and boutiques, Singapore has them all from top end brands to bargain basement. After all that shopping we headed to the Long Room in Raffles to relax and have a famous Singapore Sling – we closed our eyes to the fact that each drink was the same as one day’s budget on Lake Maninjau but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

The weekend arrived and PPM became our full time tour guide taking us to Sentosa Island and Singapore Zoo and wildlife parks. Sentosa Island is a mini-theme park and the highlight was a water fountain, light, laser and firework show over the bay. Difficult to explain but a must see on any visit to Singapore. The zoo was also great fun and the highlight was seeing the Polar Bears and feedings some of the giraffes (I’m not sure that PPM was quite as sure about the Giraffes as Paul was though!). On Saturday evening we met up with loads of Paul’s old work colleagues, many who he had not seen since his first visit too Manila in 2003. They very kindly introduced us to some Singapore delicacies and some drinks in the evening. Thanks for the great night - PPM, Dennis, Roly, Rach, Andrew, Mark, Jaz, Nilo, Mel, Louise, and Charot.

We found we didn’t have enough time in Singapore so extended our trip for one more day but still didn’t manage to see everything.

Singapore is a great city – another one we would consider living in. If you can cope with the retail overload there is so much to see and do a very, very nice city! But Expensive.

Singapore Zoo

If you have written all Zoos off as sad, inhumane places then maybe consider having your mind changed by Singapore Zoo, which was endorsed by the late Steve Irwin and is used by Animal Planet for some of its documentaries. The animals are kept in spacious, landscaped enclosures, separated from the visitors by dry or wet moats. Most, except the poor old panting polar bear confined to his air-con den by the blazing heat outside, seem happy with their lot and no more psychologically damaged than some of the creatures on the other sides of the moats. For a cooler experience, board the little train that trundles through the park. Kids will love the Jungle Breakfast, where visitors are joined at a 9am buffet by a host of exotic animals such as orangutans, otters and elephants.

Visit the Singapore Zoo. Happy National Day Singapore.

'National Zoo's mortality rate among the lowest'

MALAYSIA: The majority of deaths that occur at Zoo Negara are short-living birds and rodents as well as sick and injured animals received from the public.

Malaysian Zoological Society (MZS), which manages the zoo, said despite this, the zoo's animal mortality rate at four per cent is among the lowest compared to other zoos in the country.

MZS president Datuk Ismail Hutson said large animals such as elephants, tigers, giraffes, hippopotamus were outliving their counterparts in the jungles.

"In fact, the true indication of animal health is their fertility rate and we're faced with a birth boom, especially among the Nile hippopotamus.

"Our resident milky and painted storks which were once close to extinction have been successfully bred to a healthy population of about 70 and 361 respectively."

He said the milky storks with a worldwide population of 5,550 in 2002, were being distributed from breeding grounds in the zoo, to sanctuaries all over the country.

Ismail was responding to allegations by sources in the New Sunday Times that large numbers of rare animals and birds at the zoo had died due to unsuitable living conditions and failure to upgrade amenities.

"These sources who are bringing up this issue and trying to smear our good name are former council members and MZS life members.

"They should bring up whatever issues they have with us and not try to make an issue of the whole thing."

Ismail also criticised former zoo assistant director and veterinary division head Dr S. Vellayan, who was quoted saying the cause of animal deaths was due to water contamination.

"We should note that during Dr Vellayan's time, the animal mortality rate was 9.5 per cent and after he left the figure has dropped to about four per cent over the last three years."

Ismail said one of the zoo's founding members, Mohd Khan Momin Khan, who suggested the authorities regularly check on the welfare of animals there, had received 17 Sambar deer from the zoo for his farm in 2001.

"If he felt Zoo Negara was not taking good care of its animals why was he interested in getting animals from us?" he asked.

Ismail confirmed the Malaysian Anti Corruption Council was investigating allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds at the zoo involving a RM8.1 million (S$3.3 million) government allocation under the Eighth Malaysia Plan.

"We'll wait for the MACC to complete its investigations."

Ismail said at present, the zoo's gate collection, sponsorship and other income were sufficient to cover the RM9 million (S$3.7 million) cost in maintaining its 5,437 animal exhibits.

He said it was hoping to get government allocation of about RM2 million (S$820, 000) a year for development works.

Buy one get one free Vouchers

Singapore Zoo Tree Walk

Singapore Zoo is a world class zoo situated in the north of Singapore. This tree walk is fairly close to the entrance to the zoo and allows you to walk among the tops of the trees and look down at some of the alligators in the water below.
The Singapore Zoo is well known not only for the fantastic collection of animals in the Zoo, but also for the Singapore Night Safari, which allows visitors to watch nocturnal behaviour of some of the animals.

Personally, I enjoyed the walk a lot, where you can not only watch the many different birds and monkeys jumping from tree to tree, but also the Alligators right below your feet swimming through the shallow water.

Have fun!

Amazing Pictures of animals in Singapore Zoo

By Marc Wilde... Thanks.

Zoo has a white baby rhino

IT'S a girl!

A white rhino baby is a new addition recently to the Singapore Zoo.

The sixth calf was born to mum Shova on July 2 weighing about 60 kg.

The gestation period of a white rhino is 16 months. Shova has now given birth to four males and two females.

Four of these calves have been exported to Zoos and Safari Parks in Australia, Indonesia and Thailand but this latest female will remain at the zoo.

She will go on show in a few weeks time.

The white rhino is the largest of the species. It can weigh up to 3,600 kg and reach a height of 1.85m.

It can be found in Africa but is threatened by poachers after its horns.

Tiger prawns set for Europe, US

A company in Malaysia hopes to export millions of ringgit worth of tiger prawns to Europe and Japan from October when its hatchery and processing plant is operational in Kerpan.

Blue Archipelago Bhd chief executive officer Dr Shahridan Faiez Mohideen Abdul Kader said the Kerpan monodons and white prawns, which would also be exported to the United States, had recently received the seal of acceptance from European nations in the form of a registration number from the European Union.

The company operates a prawn farm which produces about 2,000 tonnes of white prawns and up to 6,000 tonnes of tiger prawns.


"We have some of the finest prawns in the world and we are confident our home-reared crustaceans will place Malaysia on the global map as a major producer of tiger and white prawns," he said after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the operator of the prawn farm and Universiti Putera Malaysia here on Sunday.

Witnessing the event were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop and Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

Under the agreement, about 200 employees of Blue Archipelago will undergo diploma-level training at the university to improve their knowledge and skills in prawn breeding technology.

"Once our hatchery and processing plant are ready, we can further boost our production. This will also be good for the nation's foreign exchange."

He said the construction of the plant was part of Blue Archipelago's efforts to boost the yield of the prawn farm, set up 15 years ago.

"We have the capacity and know-how and we aim to exploit all opportunities to tap our potential."

10kg python takes bite out of its catcher

A staff member of the Civil Defence Department (JPA3) was rushed to Seberang Jaya Hospital yesterday after he was bitten by a python while he and three other colleagues tried to catch the reptile in Prai, early yesterday.

Although the bite was not poisonous, the JPA3 members rushed Mazlan Abdullah, who is in his 20s, to the hospital for outpatient treatment.

The 4.20am drama unfolded when Mazlan and his colleagues received a call that the three-metre long python, weighing 10kg was spotted in a factory at the Prai industrial area.

JPA3 officer Jimmy Alberto said they subsequently managed to subdue the snake before sending Mazlan to the hospital.

Jimmy said prior to that, the team had caught another python in Titi Mukim, Teluk Air Tawar on Saturday.

He said the four-metre reptile was nabbed in a chicken coop.

He added that this month alone, seven pythons and four king cobras had been caught.

Fish can learn despite small brains

A small fish found in streams across Europe has a human-like ability to learn, British scientists reported on Wednesday.

The nine-spined stickleback could be the first animal to exhibit a key human social learning strategy that allows it to compare the behaviour of others to its own experience and make choices that lead it to better food supplies.

"Small fish may have small brains but they still have some surprising cognitive abilities," said Jeremy Kendal of Durham University.

Kendal and colleagues from St. Andrews University found in tests that 75 percent of sticklebacks were clever enough to know from watching others that a feeder in a tank was rich in food, even though they had previously got little from it themselves.

This ability represents an unusually sophisticated social learning skill not yet found in other animals, they reported in the journal Behavioral Ecology.

New Born Baby Pygmy Hippo

Born on 4th June 2009, this calf is the latest addition to the Singapore Zoo! Weighing 6.2 kg at birth, Divo is the eighth successful birth for proud parents Mina and Babu.Found most in West Africa, with slightly over 3,000 left, pygmy hippos have dwindled in numbers due to deforestation and poaching.

INFLUENZA A (H1N1) MEASURES IN Singapore Zoo

What is influenza A (H1N1) flu?

The new strain of influenza A (H1N1) involved in the current flu outbreak in humans is a reassortment of several strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that are, separately, endemic in humans, endemic in birds and endemic in swine.
World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports that it has not been isolated in swine. It passes with apparent ease from human to human, an ability attributed to an as-yet unidentified mutation. Influenza A (H1N1) is not found in any swine or human in Singapore so far. To prevent the outbreak of pandemic, the focus is in prevention of spread from human to human, and human to our animals.

Are there any live pigs in WRS parks?

Yes, we have live pigs in both Singapore Zoo and Night Safari.

How many pigs are there in WRS parks?

We have a total of 55 pigs at the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. These include babirusa, warthogs, red river hogs and Malayan bearded pigs.

Is it safe to come into contact with live pigs at WRS parks?

So far, there are no known cases of influenza A (H1N1) in Singapore. However, proper hygiene practices, such as washing of hands after contact with animals including pigs, should be maintained. No visitors are allowed to come into contact with pigs in WRS parks, as the exhibits are fronted by water or dry moats.

Will WRS be closing the exhibits for these animals, especially with the recent case of human to pig transmission in Alberta, Canada?

To date, there are no known cases of influenza A (H1N1) in Singapore. Thus there are no plans to close our exhibits as yet.

The pig population in WRS parks is confined within the parks. Our specimens do not have any contact with other pigs. However, to safeguard out endangered species, WRS parks will confine our babirusa, warthogs and bearded pigs behind the scenes if there is a confirmed outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) in Singapore.

In the event of an outbreak in Singapore, will WRS be putting down the pigs?

We would like to assure the public that WRS parks practise strict biosecurity surveillance in consultation with AVA. Our pigs are confined within the parks and our collection; and they do not have any contact with other pigs. The current influenza A (H1N1) infection is spread from human to human, and we will be ensuring that our pigs are properly protected from such transmissions by maintaining our continuous vigilance and sound biosecurity practices.

What measures are being taken to ensure the safety of visitors?

Wildlife Reserves Singapore parks are in the process of putting up signages to reinforce the need for visitors to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently, especially after using the toilets and if they have come into contact with any animal. We are working with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) to monitor the influenza A (H1N1) situation closely. Hygiene, and the safety of our animals, visitors and staff are of utmost importance to us.

Keepers are also reminding guests to wash their hands after all animal token feeding sessions.

The parks have also increased the frequency of their cleaning schedules for various facilities. This includes wiping down of all rental equipment such as wagons and strollers with a sanitizer every time they are used, instead of just once daily.

In addition, we are also monitoring the condition of our visitors and keepers, and those who show symptoms of coughing, sneezing and other flu-like symptoms will be asked to consult with a doctor immediately.

Are WRS parks taking the temperatures of their guests?

As there are no known cases of influenza A (H1N1) in Singapore to date, we do not want to alarm our visitors by adopting such measures at this time. Furthermore, our parks are in open areas so visitors are not restricted to confined spaces.

Will the water play area at Rainforest Kidzworld be closed?

There are no plans to close the attraction as yet as there are no known cases of influenza A (H1N1) in Singapore.

Will the animal petting section at Rainforest Kidzworld be closed?

So far, there are no known cases of influenza A (H1N1) flu in Singapore. We encourage our visitors to practise proper hygiene practices, such as washing of hands after contact with animals.

Anteaters caught (human) H1N1 flu in zoo outbreak

Humans, horses, dogs, whales, seals, birds, cats, ferrets and even raccoons are known to be susceptible to the tiny eight-gene viruses. Researchers in Tennessee have now added giant anteaters to that list.

"Who would have thunk it?" senior author Dr. Melissa Kennedy says with a laugh. "We were pretty amazed."

The February 2007 outbreak, involving 11 adult giant anteaters at Tennessee's Nashville zoo, is reported in an article that will be published in the July issue of the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. All the anteaters survived the illness.

Branswell's story makes it clear that the anteaters caught the "old" human form of H1N1, not the current strain.

Don't stay at home during the June holidays

It's that time of the year again; the time where the weather becomes unbareably hot, the kids are set loose and suddenly, malls are over-run with screaming children.

Though traveling will most probably be out of the question this year, fret not! Singapore is filled with a barrage of exciting promotions for you and your child, this June, you'll never be bored.

National Museum

1) Get Real, Kids: Let there be Clothes! (In collaboration with Project Omelette)
Specially developed for active young learners, these half-day workshops incorporate all the necessary ingredients to ignite the passion of discovery, fuel the process of learning, while inculcating thoughtful values and life skills in children.

Let the hidden designer in your child bloom as they are introduced to the history of world fashion and discover the identity of clothes through play, while exploring the National Museum of Singapore’s Fashion Gallery.

They can also, design their own t-shirts from skills and knowledge acquired at the workshop.

Where: National Museum Canning Visitor Services Counter (Level 2)

When: 5-6 Jun 2009 Fri & Sat

Timing: 09:00AM & 02:00PM

Ticket pricing: Standard - S$70

Book your tickets at sistic.

2) Cook up your Singapore Flavour
What was a street hawker’s life like in the 1950s and what hawker foods were popular then? Introduce your child to a slice of history through this workshop that includes a tour of the Food Gallery and hands-on craftwork with clay. Let your child experience the bustling street life through the sounds and smells in the gallery, then re-create a local food with play clay and lots of inspiration gathered from the tour!

Where: Stamford Visitor Services Counter, Level 1

When: Wed 3 Jun – Sun 7 Jun, Wed 10 Jun – Sun 14 Jun, Wed 17 Jun – Sun 21 Jun 09

Timing: 11am – 12.15pm

Prices: S$25 per child

For more information check out sistic.

3) Design Future Fashions From Past Styles
What did your grandmother wear when she was a young lady? How is that different from what we wear today?

Your child will be introduced to fashion trends and traditional costumes worn by women in Singapore from the 1950s to 1970s in the National Museum of Singapore’s Fashion Gallery.

Where: National Museum Stamford Visitor Services Counter (Level 1)

When: 3-21 Jun 2009

Timing: 1:30PM

Prices: S$25

For more information check out sistic.

4) Get Real, Kids: Sensing Food
Sensing Food educates children on the global issue of starvation around the world and how they can play a part to help the less fortunate.

Here, they will find out where their favourite burger originates from, discern what constitutes a healthy meal, and express their creativity by designing a healthy burger complete with a presentation kit to promote their product!

Where: National Museum Canning Visitor Services Counter (Level 2)

When: 19-20 Jun 2009 Fri & Sat

Timing: 09:00AM & 02:00PM

Prices: S$70

For more information check out sistic.

5) Children Season returns to the National Museum of Singapore
The National Museum of Singapore is bringing in a performance entitled Dinosaurs in the Garden by Erth Visual & Physical (Australia) . Interect with a herd of "dinosaurs" at the National Museum this holiday.

Where: National Museum Gallery Theatre

When: 4-7 June 2009

Timing: 11am, 2pm and 5pm

Prices: $20 with additional $1 booking fee.

Call Sistic at 6384-5555 for tickets

Park Hopper: Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park and Singapore Zoo

Explore all three of Singapore's most famous parks at a special price of one ticket at $40 (adult) and $20 (child).

Join all three parks on a prehistoric adventure through Jurong Bird Park's new exhibition 'Dinosaur Descendants'. You can also take part in the Dino Trail contest, which will run across the three parks and involve participants answering questions relating to exhibits.

Spend your morning and afternoon at the Zoo and at the bird park and end of the day with a tram ride through Night Safari.

Check out the websites for more information on other events:

Night Safari Singapore Zoo
Jurong Bird Park

"Sleep with the Penguins" Family Camp

Join the bird park in celebrating one of the world's most beloved birds, the penguins.

In this 2 days 1 night camp, it's fun for the whole family as you gather your sleeping bags around the camp fire to have a thrilling encounter with the penguins.

Perfect for toddlers to grandparents, you'll have a fun-packed camp with the bird park.

Where: Jurong Bird Park

When: 13-14 June

Prices: $110 per adult (13 & Above)
$90 per child (3 - 12 years)

*As only tents will be provided, you are encouraged to bring your own sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, picnic mats, mini portable fan, toiletries, insect repellent and additional torchlight.

Check out the camp's itinerary for registration.

Australian Festival 2009 @ Singapore Zoo: May 30-June 28

Starting every Saturday & Sunday from 30 May - 28 June, hop into the Australian Festival at the Singapore Zoo this June Holidays to experience the beauty and culture of the vast semi-arid land of the Australian Outback!

Meet the Wild Aussies - a star-studded crew of a wallaby and her friends - a cockatoo and a frilled neck lizard as they sing and dance their way around Australia to help you learn more about their endangered animals.

Witness how the Outback is buzzing with well-adapted wildlife such as kangaroos, wallabies, reptiles, emu, brolga, breaded dragon, frilled-neck lizard and more. Get up close and personal with the kangaroos and wallabies in the Great Outback drawing competition and join in a token feeding session right after.

And don’t miss our exciting Australian bazaar every weekend! With exciting stalls featuring Australian performances, art and crafts and face-painting, families and kids can celebrate all things Australian and enjoy a wide spectrum of family entertainment.

Ticketing of Australian Festival 2009
Adult : $18, Child $9

Dragons attack Indonesians

Komodo dragons have shark-like teeth and poisonous venom that can kill a person within hours of a bite. Yet villagers who have lived for generations alongside the world's largest lizard were not afraid _ until the dragons started to attack.

The stories spread quickly across this smattering of tropical islands in southeastern Indonesia, the only place the endangered reptiles can still be found in the wild: Two people were killed since 2007 _ a young boy and a fisherman _ and others were badly wounded after being charged unprovoked.

Komodo dragon attacks are still rare, experts note. But fear is swirling through the fishing villages, along with questions on how best to live with the dragons in the future.

Main, a 46-year-old park ranger, who like many Indonesians goes by a single name, was doing paperwork when a dragon slithered up the stairs of his wooden hut in Komodo National Park and went for his ankles dangling beneath the desk. When the ranger tried to pry open the beast's powerful jaws, it locked its teeth into his hand.

"I thought I wouldn't survive... I've spent half my life working with Komodos and have never seen anything like it," said Main, pointing to his jagged gashes, sewn up with 55 stitches and still swollen three months later. "Luckily, my friends heard my screams and got me to hospital in time."

Komodos, which are popular at zoos in the United States to Europe, grow to be 10 feet (3 meters) long and 150 pounds (70 kilograms). All of the estimated 2,500 left in the wild can be found within the 700-square-mile (1,810-square-kilometer) Komodo National Park, mostly on its two largest islands, Komodo and Rinca. The lizards on neighboring Padar were wiped out in the 1980s when hunters killed their main prey, deer.

Though poaching is illegal, the sheer size of the park _ and a shortage of rangers _ makes it almost impossible to patrol, said Heru Rudiharto, a biologist and reptile expert. Villagers say the dragons are hungry and more aggressive toward humans because their food is being poached, though park officials are quick to disagree.

The giant lizards have always been dangerous, said Rudiharto. However tame they may appear, lounging beneath trees and gazing at the sea from white-sand beaches, they are fast, strong and deadly.

The animals are believed to have descended from a larger lizard on Indonesia's main island Java or Australia around 30,000 years ago. They can reach speeds of up to 18 miles (nearly 30 kilometers) per hour, their legs winding around their low, square shoulders like egg beaters.

When they catch their prey, they carry out a frenzied biting spree that releases venom, according to a new study this month in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The authors, who used surgically excised glands from a terminally ill dragon at the Singapore Zoo, dismissed the theory that prey die from blood poisoning caused by toxic bacteria in the lizard's mouth.

The long, jagged teeth are the lizard's primary weapons, said Bryan Fry of the University of Melbourne.

"They deliver these deep, deep wounds," he said. "But the venom keeps it bleeding and further lowers the blood pressure, thus bringing the animal closer to unconsciousness."

Four people have been killed in the last 35 years (2009, 2007, 2000 and 1974) and at least eight injured in just over a decade. But park officials say these numbers aren't overly alarming given the steady stream of tourists and the 4,000 people who live in their midst.

"Any time there's an attack, it gets a lot of attention," Rudiharto said. "But that's just because this lizard is exotic, archaic, and can't be found anywhere but here."

Still, the recent attacks couldn't have come at a worse time.

The government is campaigning hard to get the park onto a new list of the Seven Wonders of Nature _ a long shot, but an attempt to at least raise awareness. The park's rugged hills and savannahs are home to orange-footed scrub fowl, wild boar and small wild horses, and the surrounding coral reefs and bays harbor more than a dozen whale species, dolphins and sea turtles.

Claudio Ciofi, who works at the Department of Animal Biology and Genetics at the University of Florence in Italy, said if komodos are hungry, they may be attracted to villages by the smell of drying fish and cooking, and "encounters can become more frequent."

Villagers wish they knew the answer.

They say they've always lived peacefully with Komodos. A popular traditional legend tells of a man who once married a dragon "princess." Their twins, a human boy, Gerong, and a lizard girl, Orah, were separated at birth.

When Gerong grew up, the story goes, he met a fierce-looking beast in the forest. But just as he was about to spear it, his mother appeared, revealing to him that the two were brother and sister.

"How could the dragons get so aggressive?" Hajj Amin, 51, taking long slow drags off his clove cigarettes, as other village elders gathering beneath a wooden house on stilts nodded. Several dragons lingered nearby, drawn by the rancid smell of fish drying on bamboo mats beneath the blazing sun. Also strolling by were dozens of goats and chickens.

"They never used to attack us when we walked alone in the forest, or attack our children," Amin said. "We're all really worried about this."

The dragons eat 80 percent of their weight and then go without food for several weeks. Amin and others say the dragons are hungry partly because of a 1994 policy that prohibits villagers from feeding them.

"We used to give them the bones and skin of deer," said the fisherman.

Villagers recently sought permission to feed wild boar to the Komodos several times a year, but park officials say that won't happen.

"If we let people feed them, they will just get lazy and lose their ability to hunt," said Jeri Imansyah, another reptile expert. "One day, that will kill them. "

The attack that first put villagers on alert occurred two years ago, when 8-year-old Mansyur was mauled to death while defecating in the bushes behind his wooden hut.

People have since asked for a 6-foot-high (2-meter) concrete wall to be built around their villages, but that idea, too, has been rejected. The head of the park, Tamen Sitorus, said: "It's a strange request. You can't build a fence like that inside a national park!"

Residents have made a makeshift barrier out of trees and broken branches, but they complain it's too easy for the animals to break through.

"We're so afraid now," said 11-year-old Riswan, recalling how just a few weeks ago students screamed when they spotted one of the giant lizards in a dusty field behind their school. "We thought it was going to get into our classroom. Eventually we were able to chase it up a hill by throwing rocks and yelling 'Hoohh Hoohh.'"

Then, just two months ago, 31-year-old fisherman Muhamad Anwar was killed when he stepped on a lizard in the grass as he was heading to a field to pick fruit from a sugar tree.

Even park rangers are nervous.

Gone are the days of goofing around with the lizards, poking their tails, hugging their backs and running in front of them, pretending they're being chased, said Muhamad Saleh, who has worked with the animals since 1987.

"Not any more," he says, carrying a 6-foot-long (2-meter) stick wherever he goes for protection. Then, repeating a famous line by Indonesia's most renowned poet, he adds: "I want to live for another thousand of years."

Porcupine, python strut catwalk for Russian zoo

Leggy models shared the catwalk with a porcupine, a python and a yak on Sunday at a fashion show to raise public awareness of animal welfare and Saint Petersburg's zoo.

About a dozen animals in all -- some on leashes, others in the models' arms -- strutted their stuff for the zoo, one of the oldest in Europe but hard-pressed for funds.

"Casting the models was not easy," Tatiana Fedorishenko, the zoo's deputy director, told AFP, referring to the human kind. "The animals in the show are tame, but the models have to be without fear, and comfortable with them."

"It was hard," confided one of the models, Natasha. "My fox was always trying to run away. I had trouble finishing my walk."

The show was the idea of fashion designers in Russia's second city, in solidarity with the 410 species and 2,000 animals at the zoo in Alexander Park that was founded in 1865.

"I'm taking part because of my compassion for animals," said designer Vladislav Aksyonov. "I am flatly opposed to the use of natural fur and I also want to help our zoo." - AFP

Bears 'celebrate' Jewish holiday

Bears at an Israeli zoo are given a festive meal of cheese as part of the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.

Normally accustomed to fruit, the bears are instead enjoying blocks of
cheese.

In modern Jewish Israeli custom families gather to eat a dairy-based meal.
And the keepers at the zoo thought the bears should be able to join in with
the celebrations.

SHAI DAVID, ZOO KEEPER, SAYING:
"This is a special breakfast, specially made for Shavuot, the
Jewish holiday. It's basically made of cheese, cream cheese, and fruits as a
custom - just like we do it on this holiday."

Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah by God to the Jewish people on
Mount Sinai, seven weeks after their exodus from slavery in Egypt.

Traditionally, Jewish residents of Israel visit the Western Wall in
Jerusalem's Old City - one of Judaism's holiest sites.

And while it's unlikely the bears will be making any such pilgrimage, they
certainly got into the spirit of the holiday where the food was concerned.

New Zealand zookeeper killed by white tiger

(AFP) - A zookeeper was mauled to death by a white tiger at a New Zealand wildlife park Wednesday in an attack witnessed by horrified tourists, police said.

The male wildlife keeper was attacked by the animal while cleaning an enclosure in Whangarei's Zion Wildlife Gardens in New Zealand's north.

Eight foreign tourists at the park were understood to have seen the mauling, a police spokeswoman added.

"It was very, very frightening," an Auckland man told a Fairfax reporter, without giving his name.

Two keepers had gone into an enclosure containing two white tigers, when one of the animals attacked, the police spokeswoman said.

"Despite the best efforts of the second keeper and a rapid response from other wildlife park staff, the tiger would not let the park worker go and he died at the scene," she said.

The tiger was later destroyed by staff and the wildlife park was closed.

Another employee of the park, which is home to around 40 rare lions and tigers, required surgery after he was attacked in February by a white tiger after it was startled by a pride of lions.

Zion Wildlife Gardens are well known in New Zealand as the home of the Lion Man television series, which followed the work of Craig Busch, who was dismissed from the park controlled by his mother last year.

On Tuesday, Busch claimed in a court hearing over his dismissal that animal care and safety standards had slipped at the park since the breakdown of his relationship with his mother.

"I became very concerned with animal welfare issues," he said. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry documents released to Television New Zealand last year expressed concerns over animals kept in crowded, unsanitary conditions.

Inspectors were at one stage so concerned by conditions at Zion Wildlife Gardens they considered having 40 lions and tigers put down.

I thought such things only happen in Singapore.

Iraq to cull wild boars in Baghdad Zoo to halt flu

Iraq will kill three wild boars in Baghdad Zoo to ward off the new flu sweeping the globe, officials said, despite experts' advice that people are spreading the virus, not pigs.

Dr. Ihsan Jafar, who heads Iraq's committee on what the World Health Organisation calls influenza A (H1N1) but is widely known as swine flu, said on Friday that a request was sent to Baghdad municipality to cull the hogs as soon as possible.

The government of northern Iraq's largely autonomous Kurdistan region said medical teams were checking travellers at airports, especially foreigners coming from countries affected.

"It is also possible the disease could be spread by eating pork, so we banned hunting wild boars," regional health minister Abdul Rahman Osman said. Most Iraqis are Muslim and do not eat pork, but a Christian minority does.

Iraq has registered no cases of the flu, which global health experts say derives from a swine influenza but has not been found in pigs.

In an effort to halt misinformation linking the virus to pigs, the World Health Organisation (WHO) renamed it Influenza A on Thursday. It has consistently said the disease cannot be caught from eating pork if it is prepared properly.

Still, Egypt on Thursday started seizing and slaughtering herds of pigs as precaution against the flu in a campaign the United Nations called a "real mistake".

"We know this virus is spreading by human to human transmission but we can't say 'don't take these secondary measures', which any country in the world would take," Jafar said, defending the planned boar slaughter.

Egypt's culling of 300000 pig inhumane

A LEADING animal rights group criticised Egypt on Monday for using 'shocking and cruel' methods to slaughter the country's pigs over swine flu fears, responding to a YouTube video that showed men skewering squealing piglets with large kitchen knives and hitting others with crowbars.

The controversy was the latest swirling around Egypt's decision to kill all the country's 300,000 pigs out of concerns they will spread swine flu. But the World Health Organisation has said it is entirely unnecessary because the illness is being spread through humans.

The government decision also brought accusations that Muslims are attacking minority Christians, who breed the animals. Most Muslims consider pigs unclean and do not eat pork.

The Egyptian government has denied the claims and subsequently expanded its rationale for the slaughter to confront a long-standing hygienic problem posed by pigs raised by garbage collectors who live amid the refuse in Cairo slums.

There were also protests within Egypt's parliament. Christian lawmaker Seyada Ilhami Gress expressed anger on Sunday over the 'government's random and inhumane way of slaughtering the pigs'.

Responding to the criticism, Parliament Speaker Ahmed Fathi Sorour said the killing should be done in a 'civilised and humane way because animals have rights like human beings'. But he did not specifically comment on the video.

Both Muslim and Christian lawmakers supported the government late last month when it issued its order to kill the country's pigs, even though no swine flu cases have been reported.

The Ministry of Agriculture issued instructions at the time that owners should kill their pigs by piercing their hearts with a needle and then slitting their throats before burying them in pits lined with quicklime. But the video showed that those recommendations were not being heeded.

The head of the Egyptian Society of Animal Friends, Ahmed el-Sherbini, said in a statement published Monday in Al-Dustour newspaper that some of the pigs were being buried alive. The government said it was not aware of the practice.

The World Health Organisation says the H1N1 virus that has sickened more than 8,000 people around the world and killed 76 is being spread by humans, not pigs, and pork products are safe to eat. -- AP

No more Whale Shark after strong oppositions!

A Singapore casino developer said Saturday it was considering alternatives to its plan to exhibit whale sharks, the world's largest fish, which had run into strong opposition from animal welfare groups.

"We have started to explore plans for an alternative to a whale shark exhibit," Krist Boo, the spokeswoman for Resorts World at Sentosa, told AFP.

Resorts World at Sentosa, one of two casino resorts being built in Singapore, had planned to import the whale sharks for its Marine Life Park (MLP) which set to become the world's biggest oceanarium upon completion.

The park however said its move was not due to pressure by the seven animal welfare groups which have launched an online petition that has gathered more than 9,000 signatures.

"The MLP team does not take its responsibilities to both conservation and Singapore lightly and as such, we spent the past two years doing much groundwork," it said in a statement to AFP.

"We strongly believe that our action must be governed by the conservation of this species rather than what is dictated by fleeting public opinion."

Alternative options to the whale shark exhibit being considered by the MLP were shown to the various animal welfare groups last month, it said.

"This proposal is still in the process of being refined for a further round of review," the MLP said.

Any changes to the planned whale shark exhibit would have to get the final approval of the Singapore government.

Animal welfare groups welcomed the move by Resorts World at Sentosa to consider alternatives to exhibiting whale sharks, which can reach lengths of 12 metres (40 feet) or the size of a bus.

"I think it's very progressive in that they are considering other alternatives," said Louis Ng, executive director and founder of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society group.

Jaki Teo, the campaign coordinator behind the online petition (www.whalesharkpetition.com), hoped the authorities would consider the concerns raised by animal welfare groups about the whale sharks.

"A lot of the concerns are about the fact that they are not suited to be held in captivity," she said.

Resorts World at Sentosa is scheduled to open in phases starting from early 2010 and will feature the world's biggest oceanarium with 700,000 fish.