It’s July 2001 and we have a 48 hour stopover in Singapore on our way to London. This is my first big trip overseas and I’m just finding wonder in every amazing moment.
So here we are in Steamy Singapore, the weather is hot, humid and sticky, and we are off to have breakfast with the Orangutan’s at the Singapore Day Zoo.
What fascinating creatures the Orangutan are. These animals are so placid and relaxed around the visitors. I guess they have been doing this a while now and are used to people. Everyone in the group has photos taken with them. Here is Paula taking her turn for a photo op. She’s the one on the left (just kidding).
This little fellow is quite happy indulging in his own breakfast. He has such sad eyes.that make you just want to reach out and cuddle him. You can also read about the Orangutan Sanctuary in Borneo
After breakfast we set off to look around the zoo.It’s very well designed which makes it easy to navigate around, and there is lots to see. This is the Day Zoo, there is also a Night Zoo that we will be visiting later on in the evening. Here we will see the animals that sleep during the day and only come out at night. So this zoo gives you the total experience.
The zoo has 28 hectares to explore during the day, and 40 hectares of forest to explore on the Night Safari. The beauty of the Singapore zoo is the open plan. The animals are kept in spacious enclosures that are separated from the visitors by wet and dry moats. These are concealed below the line of sight so that you feel as if there isn’t too much separating you from the animals.
There are around 87 different species in the zoo. If you get tired of walking you can catch a tram or take a horse carriage ride. You can also rent a stroller, wagon or wheelchair if needed.
The sleek White Tiger relaxes across the moat from us. What magnificent looking animals, so regal.
They are like big, really big, playful kittens.
Thanks to the breeding program at the zoo there have been a number of baby rhino’s born. These have been sent to various zoos around the world. The White Rhino is a large, powerful animal, not one to get on the wrong side of.
It has a really wide mouth that is ideal for eating short grass. The zoo also feeds them pellets and leaves, with the odd piece of fruit as a treat.
They love to wallow in the mud which also protects their skin and gets rid of tics and other annoying insects.
A pride of lazy lions casually watch the visitors, watching them.
And now we come to my favourite animal, the elephant. I have loved elephants ever since I was a child, after riding on Jamuna at the Auckland zoo. Such a majestic and beautiful creature.
Then it was on to the primate enclosures. There are monkeys roaming freely around and they are so cheeky. This one snatched my water bottle and took off with it. They can actually be a bit menacing. Ohmigod, dig the pants, what on earth was I thinking of.
Paula and a cheeky friend.
All to soon it’s time for our visit to end. We will be returning to do the Night Safari later on but for now it’s time to hit the shops.
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