The first of its kind in the world, the Singapore Night Safari was opened on 26 May 1994. It attracts more than a million visitors a year.
Background
In the 1980s, the Singapore Zoological Gardens found that its night tours were becoming very popular. The captivating night atmosphere, coupled with the fact that 90% of the animals are nocturnal, attracted the crowds to the night tours. Singapore's favourable geographical location and climate also make it ideal for a night zoo, with sunsets occurring around 7.30 pm and generally warm and dry nights.
It took four years to plan, and three years to construct the night safari at a cost of about $62.5 million. It was opened on 26 May 1994 by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.
Description
The Singapore Night Safari (SNS) is located at 80 Mandai Lake Road, adjacent to the Singapore Zoological Gardens and Upper Seletar Reservoir. The two zoos, together with the Jurong Bird Park, are managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS).
Although the SNS is a nocturnal zoo and not an actual safari, its environment more closely resembles that of a wildlife park. The SNS covers 40 hectares of dense secondary rainforest, and its set-up takes advantage of the natural forest environment. The layout of the park is based on habitat zones, from the tropical jungles of Southeast Asia to the South American pampas and African equatorial bush. There are 1,040 animals from 120 animal species, 29% of which are threatened species. There are more animals of each species, and larger spaces for each habitat, than can be found in other zoos. These ensure better interaction within each species and a more normal life than confining a few animals in a small space.
The park can be explored either by foot or by tram. There are three walking trails, namely, the Fishing Cat, Forest Giants and Leopard trails. The exhibits are designed to create as natural an environment as possible for the animals. The lighting is designed to simulate moonlight, with lights angled around rocks or poles, and harsh lights that may disturb the animals are not used. There are no physical barriers such as cages. Instead animals are separated from viewers by lush vegetation, cascading water and deep moats. Some animals are not confined, often coming up close to visitors. In the Flying Squirrel Exhibit, visitors can walk through the enclosure.
The SNS boasts a successful breeding programme, especially of endangered species. Recent births include those of a serval kitten, Malayan tapir calf, and a giant anteater pup.
The park also provides a mangrove walk. To create a more natural habitat for non-native animals, some eighty non-native plant species have been added. For botanists, the park also offers exotic and rare flora such as the aquilaria, a prized medicinal herb found in China.
Awards
The SNS has received numerous local, regional and international awards since its inception. Among these, it has bagged the Singapore Tourism Board's award for Leisure Attraction of the Year several times. The awards that SNS has received include:
1995 : Best New Attraction in ASEAN, ASEAN Tourist Association - Aseanta Awards For Excellence
1996 : Excellence for Singapore Award 1996 (Inaugural Awards), Singapore Totalisor Board.
1996 - 1997 : Leisure Attraction of the Year, STPB Tourism Awards
1998 : Best Theme Venue Winner, Meetings & Conventions Asia Pacific Gold Award, Venture Asia Publishing -Meeting & Conventions Awards
1999 - 2000 : Leisure Attraction of the Year, STPB Tourism Awards
2001 : Top Innovator Award for a Tourist Attraction, Travelweekly East Innovators Awards
2003 : Superbrand Award (one of Singapore's strongest 100 brands).
2003 - 2004 : Best Leisure Attraction Experience, STB Tourism Awards
2006 : Top 10 Best Family Experiences, STB Tourism Awards
2006 : Best Leisure Attraction Experience, STB Tourism Awards
2007 : One of the World's Best Zoos, Forbes Traveler.com
2007 : Best Natural and Man-made Attraction, 40 Jewels in ASEAN's Crown
2007 : 10 Most Popular Experiences in Asia, Viator.com
2008 : Best Leisure Attraction Experience of the Year, STB 22nd Tourism Awards
2008 : Michelin 3-star rating
Author
Marsita Omar
References
Sharp, I. (1994). The first 21 years, the Singapore Zoological Gardens story. Singapore: Singapore Zoological Gardens.
(Call no: RSING 590.7445957 SHA)
Wright, R. (1997, August 17). Night life at world's only nocturnal zoo, global habitats offer unique wildlife viewing. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 18, 2008, from Factiva.database.
Singapore Night Safari. (2008). Retrieved March 18, 2008, from http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/index.html
The information in this article is valid as at 2009 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
