The Singapore zoo, located in Mandai, is one of Singapore premier attractions. It host a wide variety and an extremely diversified species of animals, amounting to approximately 4000 specimens. Ever since it was started it has aimed to protect endangered animals. It also houses many of its animals in huge enclosures surrounded by their natural habitat. They have not build cages but separating us from the animals by natural barriers like trees and man made rivers, thus it helps in recreating the natural habitat of the animals, while at the same time still serving a purpose. It also aims to be one of the worlds leaders in vetinary and research and world class as a training centre and world class for reproductive research. It has a viewing gallery which enables visitors to see zoo animals in the process of being treated. Interesting displays that will portray the life and job of zoo vets.
The zoo also organizes many activities which include enrichment programs which are free for visiting schools and aim to supplement concepts learnt can be conducted in time with lesson plans maths trails which make use of mathematics and learn concepts and to enjoy nature camps which the zoo organizes to build teamwork leadership and experiential learning. Behind the scenes tour, the zoo gives us a chance to go behind the scenes to find out how zoo keepers handle their animals. Service learning in which students learn wildlife awareness and conservation through training by zoo staff. The zoo will also be visiting schools to interact with children on nature conservation.
This is a relatively new concept adopted by the Singapore zoo called the open concept. In this new concept animals are kept in big and spacious enclosures modeled after their natural habitat. They will be separated from visitors from natural barriers like dry or wet moats. The moats are concealed by vegetation and below sight. In the case of dangerous animals moats are not used. They are housed in landscaped glass enclosures to give the visitors a close up view surrounded by a wall of glass. This hives a feeling of openness.
