Singapore Zoo celebrates 40 years
The zoo celebrates its 40th anniversary on Thursday, June 27, 2013
People take photos of "Inuka" the polar bear in the frozen tundra enclosure at the Singapore Zoo, June 27, 2013.
Inuka was born in the Singapore Zoo and is the first polar bear to be born in the tropics. This was the result of an extensive breeding programme run by the zoo. .
Inuka moved into his new Frozen Tundra home on 29 May, during a grand 'housecooling' party. The 2,700 sq metre exhibit features climate controlled resting areas, an expanded pool for Inuka to swim in, and two new sections for Inuka's new neighbours: raccoon dogs and wolverines.
Modelled closely after the arctic habitat, some of the innovative features of Frozen Tundra that help replicate the chilly climate of the arctic include a new, larger pool filled with giant ice blocks so Inuka can enjoy refreshing swims, and an ice cave where he can retire to, to enjoy a polar siesta. Natural substrates have also been incorporated to provide him with a rich and varied home.
Frozen Tundra is the result of Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS)'s commitment to upgrade Inuka's living space and also reinforce WRS' vision of providing visitors with interactive and enriching wildlife exhibits that provide for greater knowledge of the natural world, including of the climate, wildlife and issues facing the arctic habitat.
Yn wir's Learning Journey from this trip......
1. How to Stay "Cool & Calm"
"Singaporeans should stay calm and carry on with their normal routine, even as the country faced the possibility of the haze not abating for a couple of months", urged Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
How could one not feel "cool & calm" inside this "S$18 million shelter" ?
2. Passion Pays
So happy to see and learn that my favorite Customer Officer is now a confirmed staff which he deserves as...
He is cheerful, friendly, meticulously attentive, fun-loving, innovative and a born-leader. He is passionate about his work and makes all his visitors feel at home with his proactive assistances, not only at the Zoo, also at the River Safari. It was mine & my buddy's first separate visits to the River Safari on our birthdays. He proactively motived his team to sing "Happy Birthday" with claps and cheers. It not only made our day special, it's that "happy, sunny, fun spirit" at the solemn park that we ought to cultivate.
Singapore needs more passionate service personell like him Thank you Mr Panda, the nick-name I give him.
27 May - "Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!..
Happy Birthday to Maria...ria..ahhhhhh......Happy Birthday to you"!
IN LOVING MEMORY of AH MENG
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 poster girl of the Singapore Zoo. Pictures of her have been used in Singapore's tourism advertisements worldwide. She has also been featured in over 30 travel films and more than 300 articles. Some of the foreign dignitaries and celebrities that visited and had breakfast with Ah Meng included Prince Philip and Michael Jackson. Due to her early years being raised by a family, Ah Meng was more approachable by humans than other primates in her clan. Due to her interactive nature, she was the first to host the Zoo's 'Breakfast With Ah Meng' programme, whereby visitors would eat their morning meal and then have a photograph taken with the orangutan.
(Left) 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.
(Right) With Sam, her caretaker for 36 years.
(Right) With Sam, her caretaker for 36 years.
Ah Meng's Funeral/Memorial Service
On 10 February 2008, I was at the high-profile memorial service for Ah Meng. It was held before a crowd of 4000 visitors at the Singapore Zoo. A life-sized bronze statue forged in her image was also unveiled
As a tribute to her, the next orangutan born at the Singapore Zoo will be named Ah Meng Junior.
As a tribute to her, the next orangutan born at the Singapore Zoo will be named Ah Meng Junior.
Ah Meng's Final Resting Place - Garden with a View
10 Feb 2008 - I shall miss you Ah Meng!!
27 June 2013 - I missed you, Ah Meng!
We too.....
Ah Meng's Final Resting Place - Garden with a View
10 Feb 2008 - I shall miss you Ah Meng!!
27 June 2013 - I missed you, Ah Meng!
We too.....
