Wildlife bridge ready by year-end 2013

A $17 million bridge for monkeys and other wildlife is on track to be completed by the end of the year, the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Land Transport Authority confirmed on Wednesday.

Structural works for the Eco-Link@BKE are almost done, and the site is now being prepared for the planting of trees.

The 62m-long overhead bridge will reconnect Singapore's largest primary and secondary forests, the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment Area. Both forests have been separated by the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) since 1986, leaving animals like rare banded leaf monkeys cut off from their fellow monkeys on the other side.

"The bridge is a boon for biodiversity," said conservationist Alan Ow Yong.

When ready, it will allow animals such as flying squirrels, palm civets and pangolins an easy way to cross the BKE.

"Animals will be able to move freely between the two reserves to find other food sources as well as mates. They will also help to propagate plant species as seeds are dispersed by more animals," Mr Ow explained yesterday.

Trees planted on the bridge will also provide food for animals, NParks said. The public will not be allowed onto the bridge in the first few years, to reduce the disturbance to the wildlife.

The eco-link is situated about 600m north of Rifle Range Road, between the Pan-Island Expressway and Dairy Farm exits.

All for the love of Wild Life.

Sums up Singapore tourism scene

http://delithing.blogspot.sg/2013/07/singapore-zoo-visit.html

For those of you contemplating whether to visit the Singapore Zoo when you are on a holiday trip to Singapore, the answer is a resounding YES! Singapore is pretty small with not many things to fill up your itinerary. The usual top 5 places in Singapore that tourist would visit are as follow:

1) Esplanade (Dubbed the Singapore durian) + One Fullerton
2) Clarke Quay
3) Sentosa + Resort World (Universal Studio)
4) Orchard Road
5) Marina Bay Sands

If one were to strictly follow the usual itinerary by filling up on the 5 places mentioned above, Singapore has nothing much to offer and you would be done with the city state in a 3D2N stay here. Hence I strongly recommends the Singapore Zoo which is well known as the best Zoo in ASEAN and perhaps would even win a place (If not already) in the best zoo in the world. With the recent River Safari being opened to the public with 2 giant pandas loaned to Singapore by China as the main attraction and the much beloved Inuka (Read Ee-noo-ka) who was born in Singapore being relocated to a new climatized facility, the Singapore Zoo has became a MUST SEE if you are visiting the country.

*** Please do come visit the Singapore Zoo, because when the visit stops so does the funds to run an expensive Zoo!

Zoo replied to TRE

http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/07/13/singapore-zoo-replies-to-open-letter-from-tre-reader/

Singapore Zoo replies to open letter from TRE reader
July 13th, 2013 | Author: Contributions

[The Singapore Zoo has replied to a TRE reader's open letter - 'Open letter to the Singapore Zoo']

Thank you for writing in again to share your thoughts and experiences. We note from past emails that you had previously enjoyed the Animal Friends Show, and were quite concerned with your feedback following your last visit.

We investigated the points you raised to make sure we can improve visitor experience; and do allow us to address some of your concerns.

Animal Friends Show

We are in the midst of re-choreographing the opening segment, and are targeting to re-introduce the dance this August.

Jayjay the cockatoo is currently being rested. Our animals’ welfare is of prime importance to us, so we do rotate their appearance schedules to accommodate breaks in their normal routine. For all our birds, we do this during their moulting season. Once Jayjay has completed moulting, he will be back in the show.

Sometimes, when the birds are moulting, we also take the opportunity to retrain certain behaviours, which is what we’re doing with the parrot slam dunk.

The bubble machine will be back to excite our guests later this month, after undergoing maintenance work.

We understand how much guests enjoy the dog interaction session at the end of each show. However, safety of our guests and animals is our top priority and we identified a need to improve the stage area to better manage these close encounters. The interaction sessions will resume in August 2013.

Membership fees

Thank you for your long-term support. Over the years, we adjust membership fees in accordance to admission rates. Singapore Zoo is managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which is a self-funded organisation. As such we do have to ensure our financial sustainability. The revenue we receive through admissions and membership fees is ploughed back into the care of the animals and their exhibits, as well as conservation efforts and manpower costs.

Singapore Zoo 40th anniversary

The 40% promotion in July is part of our year-long celebration of Singapore Zoo’s 40th birthday, and is offered as a gesture of thanks to the local community.

There is also an on-going promotion, until 31 Dec 2013, for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who turn 40 this year to enjoy 40% off admission ticket prices for themselves and four other friends when they visit during their birthday month.

In past months, we have also offered additional activities and offers to celebrate this milestone birthday, and will continue to do so until the end of the year.

We hope the above offers some clarity, and look forward to your continued support.

Regards

Wildlife Reserves Singapore
80 Mandai Lake Road
Singapore 729826

Zoo's standard drop?

http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/07/08/standards-drop-at-the-zoo/

Open letter to the Singapore Zoo
July 8th, 2013 | Author: Contributions

Dear Sir,

I feel embarrassed to write in again. I have been writing regarding changes happening to the Animal Friends Show (AFS). I am almost speechless. This may be the last email from me.

The AFS started as the best show we enjoyed at the zoo. It was interactive, engaging, filled with cheery dance moves, light hearted music, and loved by my daughter. Even a parrot can slam dung! And Jayjay (cockatoo) can wave!

Today, we feel dismay. How did such a great show reduce to such a pitiful state, with little cheers from the audience? The show looks disjointed and ends with an empty stage.

Please allow me to recap the winning moves that are now missing:
-       Introductory dance and moves by the trainers
-       Kids given the chance to join in
-       Jayjay who waves
-       Parrot slam dung
-       Hula hoop segment that once was removed but glad that it has been

Re-introduced:
-       Bubbles that light up the atmosphere at the end
-       Kids given the chance to get close to the dogs

As a patron since 2008, I just cannot understand what’s going on. What happened to the show?

Why kids are now denied the opportunity to get close to the animals?
Is the zoo going to allow kids to touch the lions and tigers instead?

Thinking back, the closing segment does look a bit messy with kids and parents swamping the dogs. Toes get stepped on. But I think everyone enjoy the mingling. It gets crowded but it shows AFS wins hearts and smiles.

Perhaps taking a leaf from the Rainforest Fights Back, where people line up properly to take photos with the snakes, something similar can be arranged. You can maintain orderliness without creating barriers.

We are also disappointed that the annual membership fees have increased again. Did the increase go to better welfare for the staff and animals? I saw trainers at the AFS with torn and dirty looking clothes. It does not look well for the zoo. Do you know that 1/3 Singapore household average income below $3000? Do you know a toilet cleaner earns $600 a month?

Yes we welcome the 40% discount, but you should really consider running the promotion from Jan – Dec instead. As the discount is applicable to Singaporeans and PRs only, which is a fixed number, why would there be a need to squeeze everyone into July?

The sudden spike in visitorship is artificial and becomes uncomfortable for us and tourists. Did you know that you have also chosen to close the Treetop Walk for upgrading? Now everyone is squeezing through a narrow passage.

Imagine tourists who come to Singapore just after the haze. The skies are clear again, but rubbing shoulders in the noon sun is not something to wish for. Long queues for food are also annoying.

Are you certain the zoo needs expansion or do you need better planning?

Regards
Chin Wei