Singapore Zoo - A Place to Have Adventure Ride!

A zoo is essentially a place where animals are kept and exhibited to the general public in lieu of money. Zoos in their own way also help in conserving and preserving the lives of many species that are considered endangered. Most zoos kept their animals locked in claustrophobic cages and adopt measures like reducing the food intake of the animals so that they gradually lose their ferocity. However, the Singapore Zoo is an exception. The main objective of this zoo is to provide animals a home away from their native land and to enlighten the consciousness of the public about the need to ensure the existence of these animals. Moreover, the zoo has also lent its active support to many rescue and conservation missions.

The concept of the Singapore zoo was founded in the year 1967 and the actual zoo was opened to the public on June 23 1973. Since its inception, the zoo has been managed by the Wildlife Reserves, Singapore. The zoo is spread over an area of 28 hectares and shares its borders with the Night Safari and the Jurong Bird Park. The Singapore zoo is currently home to three hundred and 315 species of animals, 16 percent of whom are considered endangered. None of the animals are kept in captivity. Instead their dwellings are surrounded by either dry or wet moats. A few of the dangerous species are kept in glass fronted enclosures which are designed to look as natural as possible.

The Singapore zoo offers a host of activities for its visitors. For example there are tram rides, horseback rides, elephant rides, boat rides and horse carriage rides in the zoo. The volunteers in the zoo also educate the visitors about the various species. The Singapore zoo also organises interesting events like the "Breakfast with the Orang-utan' where the visitors get the opportunity of coming up, close and personal with the animals. The zoo also has event venues namely the Forest Lodge, Pavilion-By-the-Lake and Garden Pavilion. People can book these venues for any celebration.

Other things that one can do at the zoo are feeding the animals, becoming ‘Friends of the zoo' members or simply relax. The members of the zoo actually get a lot of benefits. For example, they get free entry into the zoo at all times of the year, free tram rides, free parking facilities, ten percent discount on participating retail outlets and a free quarterly copy of the ‘Wildlife Wonders' magazine. In order to facilitate the visitors the zoo authorities have also set up a pick-up service that picks and drops customers from a central point.

The Singapore zoo has also witnessed glorious events which include the breeding of the world's first polar bear Inuka in tropical conditions and it houses the world's largest captive colony of orang-utans.

The Singapore zoo is the apt model of an open zoo. It has breathed a fresh lease of life to animals that are kept in other places as mere objects.

Peter Joseph enjoys to write about travel, aviation and adventures. To know more about Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Singapore zoo and Singapore zoo night safari visit www.wrs.com.sg