While many people think of Singapore as a densely-packed metropolis like New York, Chicago or Hong Kong (and it is), it’s also a city and country with heavily-forested natural areas among its 69 islands, and one of those areas includes the Singapore Zoo, which calls itself the “World’s Best Rainforest Zoo.”
It won’t come as much of a surprise, based on that, to see how many of the animals and exhibits feature the animals of warmer climates, and especially Asia. The 69-acre zoo sits in a rainforest area on the edge of a reservoir.
The Zoo is not that old; it first opened in 1973, so it follows the modern trend of animals in exhibit spaces meant to resemble their normal habitats, with clever use of moats and glass instead of cages to keep the animals and their admirers apart. About two million of those admirers show up each year to meet the 315 species on display, sixteen percent of them endangered species.
Elephants from Asia, a cheetah from sub-Saharan Africa and Barbary sheep from North Africa in their zoo habitats.
Cheerful chimps and a watchful Komodo dragon…
Unbelievably cute Asian small-clawed otters
Golden pheasants and a peacock share the rainforest with the herons below
And there’s a fish pond, swarming with a variety of species
Add in a play area for children and beautiful formal gardens, and you have a formula for an enjoyable day’s visit!
No, this one won’t be found in the Zoo: the mythical merlion is one of the city’s beloved and recognizable symbols.
