| Introduction
The Wildlife Healthcare & Research Centre, a 1 600- square-metre, double-storey facility that cost S$3.6 million to build, was officially opened by President S R Nathan on 13 March 2006.
Highlights
It boasts purpose-built facilities such as:
(i) Treatment Room
This is the busiest area of the Healthcare Centre. It is well equipped to treat two animals at any one time.
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(ii) Surgery Room
 The surgery room offers visitors a ‘behind-the-scenes’ experience without being physically there. A surgery in process may be viewed through live feed at the Interpretive Gallery located on the second level of the Healthcare Centre.
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(iii) Laboratory
This laboratory runs routine and less complicated tests. For complex tests, samples are sent to the relevant laboratories and in some cases, overseas.
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(iv) X-Ray Room
The digital X-ray equipment has advanced features to enhance the diagnostic process. Digitalised diagnostic images reduce storage space and speed up the retrieval process.
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(v) The Pharmacy
A well-stocked pharmacy means that animals can be treated with great efficiency.
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(vi) Interpretive Gallery
At the Interpretive Gallery, visitors are able to gain an insight into the veterinary practices and cases. It also provides a vantage point where visitors can witness the vets and laboratory staff in action, and live feed of a surgery in progress may be available, when appropriate.
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(vii) Animal wards
Animals that require observation or intensive care, and those suffering from serious medical problems can be warded. Abandoned babies can also be looked after in the ward. The wards are separated into three areas - one for small animals, one for bigger ones and another for reptiles.
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(viii) Post-mortem room
After the animal dies, the vet performs a post-mortem on the animal to determine the cause of the death. Based on the post-mortem results, the vets can take corrective measures to help prevent outbreak of diseases or advise the keepers on improvements to be made on animal healthcare standards.
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Vets in action
Our veterinary team of 10 staff members comprises zoo vets, a vet nurse, a vet keeper and a laboratory technician. Together, they are responsible for the healthcare of almost 4000 animals at the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. Also, they handle more than 120 cases and perform in excess of 12 anesthesia and five surgeries in an average work week.
Some of the common medical cases include:
- Injuries from fights and accidents
- Respiratory problems
- Infection
- Skin problems
From time to time, our vets also approach surgeons and consultants from various hospitals and medical establishments for assistance.
Vision
Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre aspires to be a regional and, possibly in time to come, global leader in veterinary healthcare and research, training of Zoo vets and reproductive research in Zoo animals. The centre further underscores Singapore Zoo and Night Safari’s commitment to conservation research, providing the infrastructure for the parks and overseas zoological partners to better execute their research programmes.
The new facility is part of Singapore Zoo and Night Safari’s masterplan, which outlines a greater role the parks will be playing in public education, conservation and research, as the parks are transformed into open, learning classrooms.
Help us help our animals
This project still needs your help. Your donation or sponsorship is never too small. It will go a long way to help us help our animals. Sponsors/ donors are invited to contact Grace at Tel: 63608515 or email: grace@zoo.com.sg
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