High-tech Wildlife Reserve

Welcome to the Website on the Wireless Learning Trail @ Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

The wireless learning trail at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is the first of its kind in the parks of Singapore, and possibly in the region. It is a public-private partnership initiative involving NParks, IDA, MOE and iCELL Network Pte Ltd.

It was inspired by the desire to enhance the learning experience and create new ways to deliver educational programmes that would:

Appeal to the young and technology-savvy Singaporeans,
Bring learning beyond conventional classrooms and,
Be less dependent on traditional manpower-intensive methods of nature education.
Using webcams installed on the Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), students are able to assess information on the wetland reserve by scanning the 2-D barcodes that are located strategically along the wireless learning trail. They will be directed to content that are location-specific. For example, students can listen to bird calls or observe behaviour of mudskippers through videos streamed over the wireless network. They are also prompted with stimulating questions on what they can see along the trail and even participate in various educational activities provided on their UMPC.

There are 20 barcodes or stations along the Mangrove Boardwalk. It takes about 2 hours to finish the entire learning trail. After completion, students can include their thoughts and observations to build their own personal learning trail, and share the information with their classmates. This promotes learning in the 'outdoor classroom'. It also means that students are less dependent on the availability of human guides for their learning experience.
Booking Enquiries

Schools that are interested in the Wireless Learning Trail can contact iCELL Network Pte Ltd at Tel: 6309 4520 for general enquiries and bookings.

Rental of Equipment
A nominal fee of $3 is charged for the rental of each portable device, payable to iCELL, which is managing the learning trail. This is to cover administrative charges and maintenance of the wireless network. Schools are advised to take good care of all equipment that is on loan to them. iCELL may impose a charge of S$250 for the loss or deliberate mishandling of its equipment.
(iCELL plans to further enrich the learning trail through periodic enhancements of the trail's content. It may review its fees when new content has been developed.)

Number of Students
As time is required to complete the activities at each station, students are advised to spread themselves out on the trail instead of concentrating at one location. This will also ensure that the UMPCs are operating at its most optimal level.

Getting the most out of the Wireless Learning Trail @ Sungei Buloh

Pre-trip
The pre-trip checklist contains instructions on activities that teachers can ask students to carry out before their field trip. It includes information on the reserve such as mangrove vegetation and its adaptation to harsh conditions. Teachers can also inculcate in students, important values and attitudes through understanding the importance of preserving our unique natural heritage.

On the Trail
Three different field activities have been integrated into the learning trail, namely field-recording observation, annotation and sketching activities. Students will be able to go through these activities at different locations along the trail.

Post-Trip Activities
After completing the trail, students can share what they have experienced or learnt with their peers in school. Through these activities, a more holistic approach is adopted towards developing an appreciation of the natural environment among students.

Wireless Field Investigations
Schools who want to embark on a more comprehensive scope of discovery of the wetland reserve can apply for a research permit from NParks. A fieldwork workhop to familiarise teachers with the field techniques and equipment is also available at the Training Administration System on the Intranet (TRAISI). Schools can contact the Ministry of Education's Humanities and Aesthetics Branch (Geography Unit) at tel 6879 6768 for more information.

Information for Teachers:
For students who require more guidance, it will be advisable for teachers to go through the pre-trip activities with their students and break down the tasks among the groups. The tasks, which include planning for the budget and working out the programme schedules for the field trip, help to build valuable real-life skills, which will be useful even when students are working on other projects.

To keep students make the most out of their learning experience, teachers may want to go through how to use the recording templates before embarking on the trail.

Teachers can also consider stretching the number of learning activities over a few site visits to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, so that students can focus on one specific skill during each visit.
Instructions on how to access the information via the 2-D barcodes on the trail
Please ensure that the webcam is plugged securely onto the UMPC.

Activate the barcode scanner programme on the UMPC. This will trigger a viewer of the webcam.

Along the trail, look for 2-D barcodes which are placed in strategic locations. To access the information embedded in the barcodes, adjust the distance of the webcam to allow the barcode to fit into the viewer onscreen.

The programme in the UMPC will automatically detect the 2-D barcode. An URL will appear along with a pop-up and you will hear an audio cue.

Select the URL listed in the pop-up and the information will be displayed in your UMPC.
Repeat steps 3 - 5 when you see another 2-D barcode along the learning trail.

In very sunny weather, the detection of the barcodes could be hampered by reflection. It would be useful to shield the 2-D barcodes while using the viewer to scan the codes.

Please take good care of all equipment on loan, including the UMPCs and webcams. Parts of the equipment may be detachable or become loosened with use.

For assistance, please call the iCELL Customer Helpdesk at Tel: 6309-4525.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

In 1986, a group of avid birdwatchers from the then Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch) stumbled upon this ecological jewel, and subsequently wrote a proposal to the government for its conservation. The 87 ha wetland site was consequently designated as a nature park in 1989. The then Parks & Recreation Department, a precursor to the National Parks Board, undertook the development of Sungei Buloh, in consultation with experts in the field, notably, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust from the United Kingdom and Worldwide Fund for Nature. On 6 Dec 1993, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong officially opened the Nature Park.

Over the years, the unique place that is Sungei Buloh charmed people from all strata of society to support its cause. It welcomed its 100,000th visitor in 1994. In 1997, the Park found its corporate sponsor in HSBC, which set up the Sungei Buloh Education Fund in support of its nature outreach programmes. In 1999, Woodlands Secondary School became the first school to adopt the park. It was followed by Commonwealth Secondary School in 2001 and Hillgrove Secondary in 2002.

On 10 November, 2001, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan announced that Sungei Buloh would be one of two parks to be gazetted as Nature Reserves. On 1 Jan 2002, 130-ha of Sungei Buloh was officially gazetted as a nature reserve and renamed as Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to better reflect its status.

In the same year, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve was recognized as a site of international importance for migratory birds with Wetlands International presenting the reserve a certificate to mark its formal entry into the East Asian Australasian Shorebird Site Network, which include Australia's Kakadu National Park, China's Mai Po and Japan's Yatsu Tidal Flats.

Sungei Buloh became Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park in 2003.

To find out more about Sungei Buloh, go to http://www.sbwr.org.sg/

NTU Alumni Family Day 2008 @ Zoo

Event Date 31 May 2008 (Sat), 08:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Venue Pavilion-by-the-Lake, Singapore Zoological Gardens (Location Map)
Organiser NTU Alumni Affairs Office (Email : AlumniFamilyDay@ntu.edu.sg Tel/Fax : 67904875/4434)

Event Info

We are going to the Zoo!
Open to all alumni and their family members, the NTU Alumni Family Day 2008 will offer a variety of fun activities, including but certainly not limited to: a morning walk, exciting performances, carnival games stalls and a lucky draw! Experience the wonders of Mother Nature and make new friends – men and animals alike! Bring your family and fellow alumni. The more the merrier!

Date: 31 May 2008 (Saturday)
Time: 8am - 1pm
Venue: Pavilion-by-the-Lake, Singapore Zoological Gardens


Each alumnus/alumna is only allowed to purchase a maximum of 4 tickets at the subsidised price of $7/adult, $4/child between 3 to 12 years old and $4/senior citizen above 60 years old.

Any additional tickets will have to be purchased at the FULL price of $13.20/adult, $6.80/child and $8.50/senior citizen.

Payment for the tickets have to be made using any of the 3 methods stated below before the admission package is mailed to your designated address as stated during registration.

(1) Cash at the Alumni Affairs Office

(2) Cheque payable to "Nanyang Technological University" and mailed to the Alumni Affairs Office at 60 Nanyang View, #02-08 Nanyang Executive Centre, Singapore 639673.

(3) WorldPay using Master/VISA (AAO staff will contact you for the credit/debit card details for processing of transaction)

Kindly note that full details of your particulars are required for pre-event information and mailing of admission packages.

For enquiries, please email us at AlumniFamilyDay@ntu.edu.sg or call 67904875/4434. Alternatively, you may wish to visit our site at www.ntu.edu.sg/alumnievents

Deadline for registration is Friday, 16 May 2008.

SEAZA

General Information of SEAZA, South East Asian Zoos Association

Vision
The vision of the South East Asian Zoos Association is that its member zoos utilize their animal collections for the primary purposes of educating our public by imparting messages on the urgent need for environmental conservation in a manner that upholds the respect and dignity of the wild animal.

Mission
To educate guests on the preservation of the natural environment
To share the goals of conservation, education, recreation and research with our public
To commit to team work and share our expertise and experience with SEAZA members, other regional and national zoo associations Maintaining the highest standards of quality and professional ethics

Values
Conserve the environment and its wildlife SEAZA actively supports the ex-situ and in-situ conservation of populations of endangered species and their habitat, especially from the South East Asian region.

Educate the public We are committed to increasing public knowledge of and participation in the environmental conservation needs of South East Asia and the world and respect for the welfare of animals through awareness programmes in zoos.

Serve members SEAZA offers members conservation awareness and technical training programmes.

Maintain high standards of quality and ethical conduct SEAZA expects its members to maintain high standards of quality in the presentation and maintenance of their zoos and conduct affairs according to the SEAZA Code of Ethics.

Co-operate with each other We value the co-operation and professional teamwork within zoos and aquariums as the basic building blocks of regional co-operation.

Singapore Zoo included?

Friend of the Singapore Zoo

Get unlimited access to SINGAPORE ZOO all year.
Help endangered species survive for years to come.
Friends of the Zoo Membership

BENEFITS:
Free and unlimited entry to Singapore Zoo for whole year
Free Zoo tram rides (Not valid on Sat, Sun & P. Holidays)
Free quarterly “Wildlife Wonders” Magazine
Free Parking
10% discount at participating retail outlets
10% discount at participating F&B outlets
Special invitation to events and previews
Email updates on latest happenings & promotions Exclusive membership car decal-->
http://www.zoo.com.sg/getinvolved/membership_foz.htm

Zoo Map

Thanks for providing the Singapore Zoo Map, http://www.zoo.com.sg

Frog - Green Kermit

The frog and other amphibians are croaking! Over 100 species have already become extinct in the past 30 years while about a third or more of all frogs and amphibian species are on the brink due to habitat loss, lower population growth and lethal infection outbreaks.
That’s why 2008 (a leap year no less) has been declared Year of the Frog by the global conservation community. We’re jumping in to help raise awareness on how you can help save the frogs.

So, what can you do, really? Here are a few ideas to start you off:

1.
Educate yourself and others What with over 6,000 known species in the world, there’s always something new to be discovered about amphibians. You can easily find out information or interesting facts from books, magazines and the internet. Educate yourself and then educate your family and friends about amphibians and their plight.

2.
Dispose of rubbish the right way. Because of their permeable skin, frogs are usually the first to be affected by pollution in the environment. Always throw your rubbish into designated bins so that it can be disposed of properly. What you discard carelessly could pollute and turn the natural habitats of frogs uninhabitable.

3.
Never release non-native animals into the wild. The introduction of exotic species into our natural environment has meant that native species are finding it harder to earn a living. The aliens such as the aggressive American bull frogs oust our local animals from their place in the ecosystem and directly reduce the biodiversity of the area. Our forests are the last refuge of many local species in urban Singapore. Do not release any non-native animals into our natural reserves – you may be causing more harm than you imagine.

4.
Rein in your pets Dogs and cats have a good nose for sniffing out frogs and can sometimes cause them grievous injury. If you come across a frog while you are out with your pet, study it, listen to it, and then leave it be. Teach your pet never to harass or pester wildlife.

5.
Reduce the size of your carbon footprint Amphibian populations are affected by climate change worldwide. If you reduce your energy consumption, or switch to using renewable energy, you too can help slow the rate of climate change. If you need to drive, drive fuel-efficient cars. If you don’t need to, take the bus or MRT. Think twice about switching on the air-con (could you use the fan instead?) and use energy-saving light bulbs!

6.
Hold back on the pesticidesAs amphibians can absorb chemicals from their surroundings right through their skin, herbicides and insecticides can prove to be lethal for them. Don't use pesticides. Instead, let the spiders, geckos and the frogs themselves get rid of those pests for free. If you have a garden, you can also teach your family members how to identify weeds and pull them out. Employ them as your natural “weed-killers” instead of resorting to chemical warfare.

7.
Make your garden a habitat for frogs to thrive inAll frogs need water and shelter. To make your garden a place that frogs would love to come home to, provide favourite frog furniture like leaf litter, rocks, logs. Plant up the area and if possible, add in a pond. Soon you might find frogs and other wildlife taking up residence.

National Geographic best pictures.

Only if Singapore Zoo can have such a sight - Wow!

WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE – SINGAPORE AIRLINES CARGO PTE LTD PARTNERSHIP

Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) and Singapore Airlines Cargo Pte Ltd (SIA Cargo) have formed a partnership to jointly promote wildlife conservation. SIA Cargo is WRS’ partner in the freightage of wildlife to zoos globally to boost the gene pool of endangered animals. The Agreement is for three years from 1 February 2008.

The first shipment on SIA Cargo will be Singapore Zoo’s two local-born chimpanzees destined for Mystic Monkeys and Feathers Zoo in Johannesburg, South Africa. The chimpanzees were freighted on SQ478 earlier today.

“Singapore Zoo is delighted that we have a partner in SIA Cargo, who shares our zeal for wildlife conservation. With SIA Cargo’s outstanding track record of serving more than 73 cities in 38 countries, this partnership promises to accomplish further headway in boosting the population of endangered species through our animal exchange programme with global zoo networks,” said Mr Biswajit Guha, Assistant Director for Zoology, Singapore Zoo.

“SIA Cargo is pleased to partner WRS to promote wildlife conservation with WRS. Besides boosting the population of animals on the endangered list, wildlife conservation supports the Company’s policy to promote a greener world. The exchange of animals with other reputed zoos in the world will add to the varied attractions at the Singapore Zoo and further enhance it as a premier and exciting destination for Singaporeans and tourists alike.

Our extensive route network enables us to ship the animals to major cities in the world and we have a successful history in the safe carriage of animals” said Mr Tan Tiow Kor, the Airline’s Senior Vice President.

Successful captive breeding programmes

" Mr Guha added, “Singapore Zoo has one of the most successful captive breeding programmes, made possible with exceptional husbandry by the zoology team whose patience, commitment and astute understanding helped boost the population of some of the most critically endangered animals.” The two Singapore-bred chimpanzees, born in August 1999 and May 2000, are testament to the Zoo’s outstanding husbandry practices.

Last year alone, the Zoo successfully bred 93 animals, including endangered animals such as the Douc langur and pygmy hippopotamus. Animals which have been relocated to boost the gene pool of the species globally included Sang Raja the Singapore-born Asian elephant to Cologne Zoo on September 28, 2004, a Caribbean manatee on January 12, 2006, as well as Ah Meng’s son Hsing Hsing, who was sent to Perth Zoo on September 22, 1983.

With freightage, travel duration for animals is almost halved and SIA Cargo’s fleet of 14 B747-400 freighters ensures safe and timely transfer of the animals. In addition to the travel duration, the partnership would allow WRS to allocate their resources more efficiently.

Background on chimpanzees

One of the four great apes, chimpanzees are highly intelligent and can be found in the forests of 21 African countries. Chimps as they are commonly referred to are among the few animals known to use tools for food. To enjoy a tasty snack of insects, they would attempt and successfully get termites out from a mound by inserting a blade of grass or twig and then gently pulling it out and feasting on the insects gathered on the twig.

Singapore Zoo encourages the chimpanzees to ‘forage’ for food in a similar manner as in the wild by regular engaging them in enrichment activities such as providing puzzle boxes filled with treats and having an artificial termite mound filled with honey or condensed milk within their habitat. There are 12 chimpanzees in Singapore Zoo. This is not the first time we have participated in an animal exchange programme for these animals.

In October 2005, four chimpanzees were sent to Arignar Anna Zoological Park in India.

Crime Busters

Seen any animal abuse or wild animal smuggling activities?

Report them to Wildlife Crime Hotline+65 97837782

Animal Concerns Research & Education Society

The ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC) will be the first wildlife rescue centre in Singapore and will help save and improve the lives of vast numbers of animals.

The 2 hectare AWRC will be located in Sungei Tengah Agrotech Park. With your support, the AWRC will:

Help end the cruel illegal wildlife trade through serving as an educational facility. The AWRC will create awareness on the illegal wildlife trade and other animal protection issues. Provide a safe haven for animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. Serve as a platform to promote volunteerism in Singapore and globally. Complement and assist the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority’s enforcement efforts to tackle the illegal wildlife trade.

ACRES has obtained the piece of land for the AWRC from the Singapore Land Authority and construction began in January 2007. The AWRC is scheduled to begin operations by early 2008.

They Are In Business!

Where can Terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari Be?

Can He be hiding in the Singapore Zoo?

The least expected is also the most possible.

Singapore Not so Green after All

When Singapore's finance minister delivered the Budget Statement, there was a lot in the way of incentives for innovation. However, Members of Parliament (MP) have since called for more initiatives to encourage the "green" effort in the country.

One thrust of Singapore's 2008 budget announced Feb. 15, is to spur the growth of innovative enterprises with significant incentives for them to create new ideas and products.

To make innovation pervasive in the economy, Minister of Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam announced incentives to encourage research and development (R&D).

"In this year's budget, we will make Singapore one of the most competitive places for companies, big and small, to do R&D," declared the minister.

The government raised the quantum of tax deduction for expenditure incurred on R&D done in Singapore from 100 percent to 150 percent. This means that for every S$100,000 (US$71,100) of local R&D expenditure incurred, S$150,000 (US$106,650) may be claimed as a tax deduction.

Two new R&D incentives will also be introduced: a broad-based tax allowance that could be used against additional expenditure on R&D that companies do in Singapore; and an incentive to allow research intensive startups to convert their losses into cash grants of up to S$20,250 (US$14,400) per year.

On Monday, at the budget debate in Parliament, some officials said the government should provide more green incentives to encourage businesses and individuals to adopt environment-friendly practices, according to local media reports.

North West District mayor Teo Ho Pin suggested introducing incentives in three key areas: transportation, building and construction, and energy efficient products.

Building owners may be putting off fitting more efficient air conditioning systems, for example, as this would cost more in the short term, Teo said.

He also suggested the government provide more tax incentives, such as green property tax rebates for buildings designed and built with eco-friendly components.

Other MPs suggested the provision of fiscal incentives for eco-friendly business measures, such as a zero-rated goods and services tax for the procurement of energy saving devices, and enhanced capital allowances for energy efficient equipment used by companies.

Zoo can be a S'pore global brand: New CEO

New Zoo Chief - Fanny Lai

Fanny Lai had her detractors as she joined the zoo's parent group after spending 14 years with McDonald's. SHE spoke her mind in the corporate jungle. But in delivering a eulogy for Ah Meng, Singapore Zoo chief Fanny Lai spoke from her heart and shed tears.

Ah Meng, the zoo's iconic orang utan mascot, was 'very special, like a part of our management team', Ms Lai, 50, said in a recent interview, when recalling the eulogy a week ago.
Ah Meng died on Feb 8.

Ms Lai, the recently promoted head of the zoo's corporate parent - and who used to sell hamburgers - wants it to be as world famous as Singapore Airlines.

In 2004, Ms Lai had joined the zoo's parent group after 14 years in marketing at McDonald's.
She was recently promoted to group chief executive of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which oversees the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, and Jurong BirdPark.

Wildlife Reserves itself had recent 'losses'.

Dr Wong Hon Mun, 53, the BirdPark's executive director, had resigned amid major changes at the parent company - all within two months. These included the retirement of Wildlife Reserves' executive chairman Robert Kwan.

Following Ms Lai's promotion - from executive director of the zoo and Night Safari - Dr Wong quit.

Some observers speculated that Dr Wong may not be the only one leaving the BirdPark.
Asked if Dr Wong's resignation had anything to do with her promotion, she said:

'I don't know. I'm sure when we make a decision, many aspects come into play. I hope not.'
The group had wanted Dr Wong, who has been with the BirdPark for over 20 years, to take on a new job as division head of life science, conservation, research and education for the three parks.
He said no.

The group, 88 per cent owned by Temasek Holdings and 12 per cent by Singapore Tourism Board, was formed in 2000, bringing together the zoo, Night Safari and Jurong BirdPark.
It now has the world's largest animal collection with over 1,000 species.

Ms Lai joined the group as its marketing and communications director in 2004 and was appointed head of Singapore Zoo and Night Safari within a year.

She had her detractors. One former zoo staff said: 'She knows next to nothing about animal husbandry. She sells hamburgers.'

But Ms Lai turned that to advantage. Customers' expectations took top billing. 'I think that's what we do quite well,' she said. The statistics showed it.

During her watch, the 35-yearold zoo and Night Safari saw 100,000 more visitors every year. She introduced and revamped two dozen exhibits.

Two years ago, a $3.6 million Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre was set up to raise the zoo's profile as a world-class training centre for zoo veterinary and conservation work.
This financial year, the three parks will have a revenue of $88 million. Profits account for 20 per cent of that.

Last year, the three parks' turnover was $77 million.
Ms Lai admits that she is no zoology expert, unlike her predecessor Bernard Harrison. But she has brought in marketing, branding and sales savvy.

'Can we build another SIA in Singapore? Yes, I think Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and BirdPark can be Singapore's next global brand,' declared the mother of a 21-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son.

Her immediate challenge is to integrate the 37-year-old BirdPark's resources and up its current 850,000 a year visitorship. The other two parks attract over a million visitors each year.

She paid tribute to Mr Harrison for giving the zoo a face. But she said: 'I prefer to focus more on the business than on personal brand. I believe in branding but not in personal branding.'

____________________________________________________________

"After Bernand Harrison exit, Dr Wong of Birdpark who must have served all his working life there is now forced to go - being shamed & downgraded to Hd of Research to serve his new Lady boss perhaps with BigMac every morning. Trying to match SIA world class standard is a fat hope, this lady looks more like an African Aborigine (see picture). This Chairman Robert Kwan gay (also gone) is keeping very low profile who must be hiding under her skirt all this while. How u see this shakeup?"

Readings on Ah Meng

A LEGEND, NO LESS 'She had the character to be a mega-star, the personality to pull that off and became a legend.' FORMER ZOO CHIEF BERNARD HARRISON, on hearing about Ah Meng's death.

Ah Meng's Life

SHE was a great-looking Singapore girl who rubbed shoulders with royalty, movie stars and statesmen. People paid to sip tea with her, and countless others liked nothing better than to be photographed next to her.

So when Ah Meng the orang utan died yesterday, aged 48, it marked the end of an era at the Singapore Zoo.

Saddened by the news, former zoo chief Bernard Harrison remembered: 'She had the character to be a mega-star, the personality to pull that off and became a legend.'

Ah Meng was a household name and remained the zoo's star attraction, even as age slowed her down. In human terms, she was nearly 95, and is believed to have died of old age.

Born in Sumatra, Indonesia, she arrived at the zoo in 1971 after being removed from a family who kept her as an illegal pet.

Stardom came in 1982 with the zoo's 'Breakfast with An Orang Utan' programme, which featured Ah Meng at centre stage.

Within four years, she featured in almost 30 travel films and more than 270 write-ups worldwide.

Among those who dropped in on her were Britain's Prince Philip, pop superstar Michael Jackson and actress Elizabeth Taylor.

Such was her pulling power that the then Singapore Tourism Promotion Board made her a Special Tourism Ambassador in 1992, the first non-human recipient of the award.

The zoo's former head of public relations, Mr Robin Goh, said part of Ah Meng's charm was how she took to people.

'She came from a domesticated background as a pet and behaved differently from wild orang utans. She could drink tea from a teacup and looked good for an ape,' he said.

Ah Meng is survived by four children and six grandchildren.

A memorial will be held at 11am on Sunday at the zoo, and the public will be able to view Ah Meng's body from 9am.

Reacting to the news, President SR Nathan said at yesterday's Istana open house that Ah Meng had long been a symbol of the Singapore Zoo.

'A lot of people, both local and foreigners, have enjoyed her company,' he said. 'I'm sure the patrons of the zoo will miss her. But that's life.'

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Zoo officials said a memorial service will be held for Ah Meng on Sunday at 11am at the Garden With A View at the Singapore Zoo. Her body will be displayed from 9am.

The Singapore Government should seriously think of rising half National flag today to mark and respect for her death.

Ah Meng the Goddess

Ah Meng (circa 18 June 1960 – 8 February 2008) (Chinese: 阿明) was a female Sumatran Orangutan and a tourism icon of Singapore. She was smuggled from Indonesia and kept illegally as a domestic pet before being recovered by a veterinarian in 1971. She was then eleven years old and was given a home at the Singapore Zoo.

Ah Meng was the head of her small clan, which lives in a large enclosure with about twenty other orangutans. She had five children and became a grandmother in 1990.

She belonged to the Sumatran Orangutan species, a rarer breed of orangutan now critically endangered due to illegal logging and poaching. There are about only 7,500 Sumatran Orangutans left in the wild in the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia.

Ah Meng Dies!!!!

On the first day of Chinese New Year, happiness is spoiled by the death of My Singapore Zoo Idol!!!

http://www.zoo.com.sg/spotlight/ahmeng.htm

Quick thinking saves

Reuters- A German medical student got some unexpected practical experience at the zoo when she gave the kiss of life to a baby tiger choking on a piece of meat, the zoo director said Friday.
The student was passing the enclosure with her toddler son on a visit several weeks ago when she noticed the 4-month-old tiger choking and offered her assistance to the helpless keeper, said Andreas Jacob, director of the zoo in the eastern German city of Halle.
"The tiger tried to eat a piece of meat that was too big and started choking and shaking and then fell over," the student, Janine Bauer, told MDR radio.

"We got the piece out but he wasn't breathing so I tried mouth-to-mouth and heart massage," she added. "After 3-5 minutes he came to, thank God."
The zoo, which held a ceremony Friday to thank Bauer, has decided to call the tiger Johann, after her one-year-old son.