Forty years ago, the Public Utilities Board in Singapore decided to do something different. Dr. Ong Swee Law, the chairman of the board at that time decided to use the land that had been set aside for parks, to build a garden, that was also a zoo. The land is situated around reservoirs and natural water sources, and the zoo was designed to keep as close to what natural surroundings would be like, for any given animal on exhibit at the park. While there would be enclosures there would be no fences. Construction of this concept began in 1971. Animals were donated and procured from dealers, and with the help of Lyn de Alwis, of the Sri Lankan Zoo, Colombo, the Singapore open air zoo opened for the first time in 1973. For many of the visitors it would be the first time they would be able to view and experience animals living in their natural environments, in their family and social units, instead of single animals sitting along in cages. And the enclosures were wide open,spacious territories. Most animals are kept from the public by moats, however the dangerous species are behind glass walls. The zoo began with over 70 different species from the animal kingdom, and now forty years later, that number has doubled. The day the zoo opened in 1973, June 23 to be exact, the animal count was 270, and now that count is well over 1,600.
In early 2006, the zoo opened it’s research center, which focuses on the the health-care of the animals and wildlife conservation. The zoo remains true to their commitment of 40 years, to the care and well being of the animals and to furthering public education. In more ways than one, this is an example of 5 star Singapore and their commitment to the natural environment. Perhaps the fact that city is one of only two set in a rain forest has something to do with that. In any case, along with the animals on exhibit, the zoo offers shows and special events throughout the year. Current daily shows include ‘Elephants at Work and Play” and “Splash Safari”. These shows are meant to entertain most certainly, but education plays a bit role, as they are also meant to further educate and to raise the awareness of the necessity for conservation of all the worlds’ wildlife.
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