Singapore
The Singapore Zoo is regularly ranked among the world’s top zoos, and is arguably the best zoo in the Far East. Not constructed until the 1970s, this park had the benefit of the best modern zooscaping techniques from the outset, giving the animals some of the best designed natural enclosures anywhere. Primarily a showcase of the best fauna of Southeast Asia, it is known for its Night Safari, an attraction which is open overnight for the showcasing of nocturnal animals.
The relatively tiny nation of Singapore is one of the few countries in Southeast Asia where there is little opportunity to see animals in the wild. The government decided to rectify this situation in the 1970s by constructing one of the best urban zoos in Asia. In 1971 the Wildlife Reserves Singapore organization was formed. WRS went on to open a large wildlife complex consisting of the Jurong Bird Park in 1971, the Singapore Zoo in 1973 and the Night Safari in 1994. Together these make up one of the most popular zoological complexes in Asia.
The Singapore Zoo is a mid-sized facility with 2,500 animals from over three hundred species. While there are animals from all over the world, the focus is on Asian fauna. Bengal Tiger, White Rhino, Asian Elephant and Orangutan are all hugely popular here. But the most unique attraction is the zoo’s sister facility, Night Safari, a nocturnal zoo with over a thousand addisional animals. The Night Safari does not reverse the daylight cycle; it is actually open overnight for nocturnal viewing.
The Singapore Zoo and Night Safari are located on the north side of the city, approximately eight miles from downtown. It is open year round from 8:30am-6:00pm (the Night Safari is open from 7:30pm-midnight). The cost of admission is S$28.00 for the zoo and S$39.00 for the safari. Web: www.zoo.com.sg (official website of the zoo); www.nightsafari.com.sg (official website of the safari).
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