Famous personalities at the Zoo

Malaysia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Dato' Seri Syed Hamid Albar and his family

Malaysia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Dato' Seri Syed Hamid Albar and his family, made a visit to the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari on 4 Dec. Let these pictures bring you into their rainforest experience right here!

President S R Nathan
Wildlife Healthcare & Research Centre Official Opening

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. The event was attended by board members, honorary vets, adopters, trade members and the education fraternity. The guests toured the facility, viewed a special animal treatment and indulged themselves in an exclusive opportunity to be with the President.

The Centre boasts of new equipment and better facilities. These include the treatment room, surgery room, x-ray room, pharmacy, laboratory, interpretive gallery, animal wards and post-mortem room. It also 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.

Watch these special moments at the official opening ...

Mr Miles Kupa and Steve Irwin
On 9 March 2006, Australian High Commissioner Mr Miles Kupa together with Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin officially opened Singapore Zoo's Australian Outback. Steve not only came face to face when handling the taipan, "the world's deadliest snake", he also received a cheque donation of S$20,000 on behalf of Australia Zoo from the Wildlife Research & Conservation Fund. This donation aims to contribute to Australia Zoo's conservation and education programmes.

The Australian Outback is also now home to seven female grey kangaroos, cassowary, emu, wallaby, blue-tongue skink, frilled-neck lizard, and the carpet python. This latest exhibit reflects the rugged beauty of "Down Under" The middle area of the exhibit is interspersed with semi-arid and marginally fertile ground; whilst the side entrances stand two sheds which enable visitors to see the animals and read more about them from some educational interpretives.

Here are some highlights of the day ...

For a tribute to the late Steve Irwin, click here

Anita Sarawak
Singapore-born international entertainer and avid animal conservationist, Ms Anita Sarawak, visited the Singapore Zoo on 5 November to name a newborn female Bornean orang utan. Atina (which is the reverse spelling of "Anita", the latest addition, was born on 29 October. Atina's mother, named Anita, shares a long history with Ms Sarawak. Nineteen years ago, Ms Sarawak found Anita at her doorstep and instead of keeping it as a pet; she donated it to the Singapore Zoo. Now the 20 year-old Bornean orang utan, Anita, has adapted well to the zoo environment and Atina is her third birth.

Elaine Paige
The First Lady of musical theatre visited the Singapore Zoo on 26 October 2005. Enjoying a casual ride with the elephant and the horse carriage, Ms Paige certainly enjoyed her upclose experience with wildlife.