Singapore’s New Wildlife Park Brings You Real Close To Animals | Singapore Hour

Key Concepts:

• Open-concept habitats
• Rainforest biodiversity
• Immersive experience
• Walk-through habitat
• Threatened species
• Endangered species
• In-situ and ex-situ conservation
• Biodiversity hotspot
• Terrestrial and arboreal zones
• Native plants and trees

1. Introduction and Setting:

• The video features a wildlife photographer returning to the Singapore Zoo, specifically the new rainforest experience within the larger wildlife park.
• The Singapore Zoo is known for its open-concept habitats and has been around for over 50 years.
• The new rainforest experience is described as a first for Singapore and Asia.

2. Rainforest Biodiversity and Immersive Experience:

• Maggie, who oversees the 20-football-field-sized park, explains that rainforests hold more than 50% of the world's flora and fauna.
• The park aims to emulate the richness of rainforest biodiversity.
• The park offers an immersive experience, allowing visitors to choose between an elevated walkway or a forest track with boulders, log crossings, and river crossings.
• The goal is to broaden the park's appeal, especially to teenagers and young adults, to inspire them to make meaningful environmental decisions.
• "You can't love and action upon what you don't see and what you don't experience." - Maggie

3. Walk-through Habitats and Animal Encounters:

• The park features walk-through habitats where animals roam freely.
• The video shows Axis deer, including babies, in a natural setting.
• The experience is compared to going on a safari in India to see these animals in the wild.
• There are 36 species in the park, most native to Southeast Asia, and three-quarters are listed as threatened in the wild.

4. François' Langur and Conservation:

• The video introduces the François' Langur, an endangered species with less than 2,000 mature individuals estimated in the wild population.
• The langurs are mainly found in China and Vietnam and are difficult to study in the wild due to their habitat.
• The park has created a naturalistic habitat for the langurs, including limestone karsts.
• A "Black Adventure" guided tour allows visitors to climb the limestone karsts and experience the langur's view.

5. Tiger Habitat and Conservation Efforts:

• The park features a large tiger habitat designed to encourage natural behaviors like climbing, exploring, and swimming.
• The tigers are one of the smallest subspecies and are critically endangered, with fewer than 300 remaining in the wild.
• Mandai Nature, the conservation arm, is involved in in-situ and ex-situ conservation efforts, including rescue efforts, patrolling, and conservation breeding programs.

6. Park Design and Native Flora:

• Michelle played a key role in shaping the park's landscape, including the selection of logs, rocks, trees, and plants.
• The park aims to showcase Asia as a biodiversity hotspot and share the importance of conservation.
• The park is designed to provide experiences at both the terrestrial and canopy layers, featuring both terrestrial and arboreal species.
• Over 320 mature trees were preserved, and more than 7,000 trees and plants native to Southeast Asia were planted.
• The land was previously a kampong (village), and some cultivated species like rambutan and durian trees remain.

7. Conclusion:

• The park aims to inspire the next generation to care for the earth and protect rainforests and local biodiversity.
• The park helps people reconnect with nature and reminds them that protecting it is everyone's responsibility.
• The video encourages viewers to look closely and find the wild, whether in a park or deep in the forest.