Singapore Zoo

Singapore Zoo is one of the many attractions and places must see in Singapore. It is home of over 2,800 animals representing around 300 species with natural habitat , and the animals roam freely. The park is also a Learning Zoo. Through the interactive educational displays found at every exhibits and zones, guests could have a deeper understanding of the animals.

Singapore Zoo arrival area

My husband and I visited the Singapore Zoo on 26 June 2016. I just thought of visiting again the park, our company is a member- employees can reserve a pass of up to four (4) visitors for free. Not much changes, I wanted to share an updated information, my last visit was in 2012.

Orchids at Singapore Zoo

Orchid is the national flower of Singapore. Named this orchid, Vanda Miss Jaoquin- hybrid of two species of orchids: vanda hookienen and terete vanda.

Singapore Zoo entrance

Information displays at Singapore Zoo

As we entered the Park, these displays greeted us with a very important information about today's activities.

Cotton Top Tamarin

Cotton Top Tamarin (Saguinis oedipus)
Tamarins are a group of small monkeys found only in Central & South America.
The cotton top tamarins live in social group of up to 12 family members, usually with one breeding pair. Twins are produced and all members participate in the care of the young.

This group of cotton top tamarins has been conditioned to free range within this area.

White-faced Saki Monkey

Mousedeer

Siamang

False Gharial

False Gharial habitat at Singapore Zoo

False Gharial

Tree Top Trail Walk

I was wondering where the otters gone until this post

We started with the Proboscis Monkey and to a few of the exhibits.

Turtles at Singapore Z

Asian Turtles and its habitat seen outside the viewing area of the Proboscis Monkey.

Proboscis Monkey Viewing Area

Proboscis Monkey habitat

What did I do wrong? Why my nose is long?
Notwithstanding, Proboscis monkey's nose attracts many. Oftentimes, their nose are grabbed and shaken mostly by the ladies.

Proboscis monkeys are found in coastal forests of Borneo. Habitat destruction and hunting are a few of the threats to their survival.

Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus) lives in Rainforests eating leaves and fruits and with about 30 years life span. Deforestation and poaching are its survival threats.

Adult Tapir uses trunk to grasp food. Young tapir blends in well sun-dappled forest floor- perfect camouflage.

Baby tapirs are like black and white watermelons. It loses its spots and stripes at 5 months old.

Malayan Tapir

Tapirs use scent to talk to one another, They mark their territories with urine; males use it as scent markers when looking for mates. They spray on bushes to let other tapirs in the same area know they have been there, thus, they should stay away.

Tapirs use high-pitched sounds to pacify their young or to announce their location. They use clicking sounds to communicate with other tapirs.

A Folklore... Malayan tapir was handsome and had a strong horn but vain and a bully. One day, rats and mice drugged him, cut-off his horn, filed down his sharp teeth and painted part of his body white to brand him like a criminal. When the tapir woke up, he felt disgraced and went into hiding. That was how the tapir got the black and colour and so shy.

Tapirs body pattern though helps them blend in with the forest surroundings. Night time is supper time both for tapir's prey and predators. At night, only the white part of his body is seen thus, hidden from the enemies while finding its dinner.

Tapir looks like a pig, elephant and a panda though, they are closely related to rhinos and horses.

Babirusa habitat

Babirusa (bayrousa babyrussa)
The babirusa has upper tusks that pierce the flesh and glow through the top of its snout
The tusks look like the antlers of a deer, its name means "Pig-deer" in Malay.
They eat leaves, fruits, small reptiles, eggs, snails and tubers.

Babirusa

Asian turtle

More of the water animals exhibits before we reached the viewing area of the hippos.

Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula)

Alligator Gar and
Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus)

Pygmy Hippos viewing area

Hippos yawn to show off their teeth and threaten rivals. But when a male yawns in the presence of a female, it is a sign of "affection" and as part of courtship display

Hippos do not have sweat glands. To keep cool, they stay in water during the day. The skin secretes mucus that serve as "sun block". After sunset, they onto land to feed.

Pygmy Hippo are Underwater Ballerina of West Africa

They pygmy hippo can't swim and its body is too dense to float. It tiptoes along riverbeds gracefully like an underwater ballerina. to breathe, it uses its hind legs to push itself up above the water surface

Red River Hog

Like all wild pigs, the red river hog has long canine teeth or tusks. It use its snout to sniff out tubers and root them. It can cause serious damage to crops when farmland encroaches on its habitat. It is hunted as an agricultural pest and for food.

Red River Hog habitat

Red River Hog

Look out for a white mane that runs along its back, and long and pointed ears that differentiate it from other wild pigs. Males have facial wants but they are mostly covered by long facial hair.

There was an upgrading in progress at the Australian zone. Only few were seen during our visit. I am sharing the animals we have taken on our visit in 2010 in this zone.

Cassowary

Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius)
The cassowary is a solitary flightless bird. Its name is derived from a Papuan term meaning "horned head", referring to the "helmet" or casque on its head.
Males incubate the eggs and raise the chicks all by themselves.

Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo

Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo are the only kangaroos that do not hop. Instead, they climb trees by moving their feet independently.

Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo

Hamadryas Baboons
The Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Approaching Hamaryas Baboons
The Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Continued to Snakes at Singapore Zoo

Public Transport / Self-Drive

MRT & Bus

The easiest way to get here via public transport is to take the MRT on the North-South (Red) line and transit to connecting public bus services. Catch these connecting public buses that will take you right to the park.

Nearest MRT stations	Connecting buses
Choa Chu Kang (NS4)	927
Ang Mo Kio (NS16)	138
Marsiling (NS8)	926 (operates on Sundays and Public Holidays only)
Woodlands (NS9)	926 (operates on Sundays and Public Holidays only)

Self-drive / Taxi

Our parks are about a 30-minute drive away from the city. There are open-air as well as sheltered car and motorcycle parking bays located near the entrance of the park.

Via Central Expressway (CTE) from the City:

Take the CTE towards SLE
Continue onto SLE towards Mandai Rd
Take exit 8A at SLE onto Mandai Rd
Turn left onto Mandai Lake Rd

Via Pan Island Expressway (PIE) from the City:

Take the PIE towards BKE
Continue onto BKE towards Woodlands
Take exit 7 at BKE onto Mandai Rd
Turn right onto Mandai Lake Rd

ROUTE YOUR WAY WITH GOOGLE MAPS

Parking Rates

Parking payments are processed by an electronic parking system. Please ensure your cash card with sufficient value is inserted in your in-vehicle unit (IU). A cash card top-up machine is available near the entrance of the sheltered car park.

For vehicles without IU and valid cashcard*, you may purchase a parking coupon ($8) at the Membership/Visitor Services Centre located at the park entrance.

First hour	$3/hr
Every additional hour or part thereof	$2/hr
Cars without IU or cash card	$8/day
Maximum parking charges	$8/day

10 minutes grace period.
* Car park system is CEPAS compatible.

Getting here info from Singapore Zoo website as at 02.07.16

Animals References: Singapore Zoo interactive educational display

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