Singapore Zoo

Singapore Zoo and its collection

Singapore Zoo, opened in 1973, is a zoo in Singapore, Singapore.

The zoo is operated by Mandai Wildlife Group, which also runs Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild. Together the five parks hold over 15,000 animals of 1,000 species.

History

Earlier and short-lived predecessors included one recorded in the early 1870s at the Botanic Gardens and a Ponggol zoo of the 1920s run by the animal trader William Lawrence Soma Basapa. Two further zoos were run by brothers surnamed Chan in the 1960s. The present zoo opened in 1973, built with a $9 million government grant.

Animals and collection

A boardwalk trail overlooks yellow-cheeked and lar gibbons and false gharials, while cotton-top tamarins, ring-tailed lemurs and white-faced sakis roam free in the same area. The tiger enclosure is occupied by the Malayan tigers Bongsu and Intan, the white tigers Keysa and Pasha having been transferred to Night Safari in 2024.

Conservation and approach

A wildlife healthcare and research centre opened in March 2006. The zoo claims the first polar bear bred in a tropical zoo.

What the venue says

• Splash Safari
• Animals Friends
• There are multiple dining options scattered throughout the park, ranging from air-conditioned restaurants and cafes to quick-service kiosks.
• The multi-story carpark shared across the Mandai wildlife precinct charges S 3 f or t h e f i rs t h o u r , S 2 for each subsequent hour, up to a maximum daily cap of S$10 for cars.
• The zoo is highly inclusive, offering wide, paved pathways, accessible ramps, and elevators.
• Complimentary tram services feature wheelchair-accessible spaces.