Singapore Zoo Singapore Zoo News 2024

[LeMandaiEnthusiast‧]

Some very little things to update today, nothing super big and I'm not sure if it's already been updated:

- A Philippine Sailfin Lizard signboard has been added to the former Green Anaconda exhibit by the Pygmy Hippo area. I won't get my hopes too high since their current home in Reptopia is being renovated

- Speaking of Reptopia, a keeper told me the Chinese Alligator in the Outdoor Area of Reptopia has been moved to the still renovating aviary. Currently don't see any Painted Terrapins there too

- What looks like an export crate is in the Komodo Dragon habitat that's right beside the Aldabra Giant Tortoise, which is the bigger Komodo


- The Reptopia "nursery" in the BTS area that is viewable to guests seems to feature an Axolotl in the bottom tank, alongside more other tanks. Looks like they're on quite the breeding it seems.

 

[NATY]

That definitely is one of the best things I've ever heard in a while. As much as I know that it is nearly impossible, I really REALLY wish that they restore Equatorial Africa in the Night Safari's Tram ride after a few years. The Night Safari would then be the perfect place for me.

But for now, I'm happy with the Nile Lechwes

Also, when will the L'hoests monkeys be back on display? And are there any plans to breed the cherry crowned mangabeys and De Brazza's guenons?

A female and male De Brazza's monkey were born in 2022 and 2023

 

[NATY]

Some very little things to update today, nothing super big and I'm not sure if it's already been updated:

- A Philippine Sailfin Lizard signboard has been added to the former Green Anaconda exhibit by the Pygmy Hippo area. I won't get my hopes too high since their current home in Reptopia is being renovated

- Speaking of Reptopia, a keeper told me the Chinese Alligator in the Outdoor Area of Reptopia has been moved to the still renovating aviary. Currently don't see any Painted Terrapins there too

- What looks like an export crate is in the Komodo Dragon habitat that's right beside the Aldabra Giant Tortoise, which is the bigger Komodo


- The Reptopia "nursery" in the BTS area that is viewable to guests seems to feature an Axolotl in the bottom tank, alongside more other tanks. Looks like they're on quite the breeding it seems.

Hope the reptiles return to the pygmy hippo area. A walkthrough Chinese alligator enclosure sounds neat. Doubt they'll try it but apparently small crocodilians and birds have been mixed before

 

[LeMandaiEnthusiast‧]

Hope the reptiles return to the pygmy hippo area. A walkthrough Chinese alligator enclosure sounds neat. Doubt they'll try it but apparently small crocodilians and birds have been mixed before

Back then the Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman was in the walkthrough aviary, would those count as small crocodilians or is there another term for it

 

[BucerosKeeper]

Back then the Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman was in the walkthrough aviary, would those count as small crocodilians or is there another term for it

Yes those are small crocodilians.

The pools for the aviary are a bit too close for my liking for Chinese Alligators, plus a lot of renovations will have to take place as they can climb onto the boardwalk area if they wanted to. Sounds to me like a temporary holding while their pool gets yet another upgrade.

Also,

Some very little things to update today, nothing super big and I'm not sure if it's already been updated:

- A Philippine Sailfin Lizard signboard has been added to the former Green Anaconda exhibit by the Pygmy Hippo area. I won't get my hopes too high since their current home in Reptopia is being renovated

- Speaking of Reptopia, a keeper told me the Chinese Alligator in the Outdoor Area of Reptopia has been moved to the still renovating aviary. Currently don't see any Painted Terrapins there too

- What looks like an export crate is in the Komodo Dragon habitat that's right beside the Aldabra Giant Tortoise, which is the bigger Komodo


- The Reptopia "nursery" in the BTS area that is viewable to guests seems to feature an Axolotl in the bottom tank, alongside more other tanks. Looks like they're on quite the breeding it seems.

The Sailfins used to be housed there, so I'm assuming the recent shift to Reptopia would have been yet another temporary holding? One issue with the Hydrosaurus in there seemed to be visibility, and at least back then it was very difficult to be certain that the animals were not right by the door waiting to dash out if you were working solo.

The "larger Komodo" should be Mario, unless Taro has put on a lot of weight since I last saw him.

 

[NATY]

Yes those are small crocodilians.

The pools for the aviary are a bit too close for my liking for Chinese Alligators, plus a lot of renovations will have to take place as they can climb onto the boardwalk area if they wanted to. Sounds to me like a temporary holding while their pool gets yet another upgrade.

Also


The Sailfins used to be housed there, so I'm assuming the recent shift to Reptopia would have been yet another temporary holding? One issue with the Hydrosaurus in there seemed to be visibility, and at least back then it was very difficult to be certain that the animals were not right by the door waiting to dash out if you were working solo.

The "larger Komodo" should be Mario, unless Taro has put on a lot of weight since I last saw him.

Do you know if and when the aviary will be reopened? It has been closed for upgrading since Bird Paradise first opened and housed some African grey parrots for a while. Love the reptile-bird mixes but there's now only 2 birds left in Tortoise Shell-ter

The sailfins are more visible in the caiman lizard tank tho I preferred the South American display, miss the basilisks and mata matas

 

[BucerosKeeper]

Do you know if and when the aviary will be reopened? It has been closed for upgrading since Bird Paradise first opened and housed some African grey parrots for a while. Love the reptile-bird mixes but there's now only 2 birds left in Tortoise Shell-ter

The sailfins are more visible in the caiman lizard tank tho I preferred the South American display, miss the basilisks and mata matas

No idea on the aviary, new curator's still sorting things out over there. From what I understand it's being used as a satellite quarantine area until the Bird Park is done with their acquisitions, perhaps Rainforest Park too? This has also happened in the past when River Safari was new and the aviary was used as a QT area for primates.

The Hydrosaurus were difficult to view in the Pygmy Hippo's ecotanks, and usually the keeper servicing those works alone (except for health check days) so I hope they've made some changes to the enclosures so that you can easily tell where they are before entering to reduce risk of escape or being trampled on.

Quite frankly I've not been in a very long time and I get few updates from time to time from some of my old colleagues, the current team is primarily made up of fresh faces so I'm not fully acquainted with all of them yet.

 

[NATY]

No idea on the aviary, new curator's still sorting things out over there. From what I understand it's being used as a satellite quarantine area until the Bird Park is done with their acquisitions, perhaps Rainforest Park too? This has also happened in the past when River Safari was new and the aviary was used as a QT area for primates.

The Hydrosaurus were difficult to view in the Pygmy Hippo's ecotanks, and usually the keeper servicing those works alone (except for health check days) so I hope they've made some changes to the enclosures so that you can easily tell where they are before entering to reduce risk of escape or being trampled on.

Quite frankly I've not been in a very long time and I get few updates from time to time from some of my old colleagues, the current team is primarily made up of fresh faces so I'm not fully acquainted with all of them yet.

I do hope they place more exciting display species in those ecotanks than Dawkinsia barbs
They used to have the alligator snapping turtle, an active pig-nosed turtle and the male anacondas there, perhaps some more large fish or aquatic reptiles would be nice

Does anyone know the day rotation schedule for the red river hogs and nyalas?

 

[Nisha]

Some very little things to update today, nothing super big and I'm not sure if it's already been updated:

- A Philippine Sailfin Lizard signboard has been added to the former Green Anaconda exhibit by the Pygmy Hippo area. I won't get my hopes too high since their current home in Reptopia is being renovated

- Speaking of Reptopia, a keeper told me the Chinese Alligator in the Outdoor Area of Reptopia has been moved to the still renovating aviary. Currently don't see any Painted Terrapins there too

- What looks like an export crate is in the Komodo Dragon habitat that's right beside the Aldabra Giant Tortoise, which is the bigger Komodo


- The Reptopia "nursery" in the BTS area that is viewable to guests seems to feature an Axolotl in the bottom tank, alongside more other tanks. Looks like they're on quite the breeding it seems.

The export crate is for Taro. He's heading to Nagoya in Japan later this week
Japan zoo to exhibit endangered Komodo dragon

 

[NATY]

Some random observations from today's visit

• A false gharial sign was placed in the former anaconda exhibit by the pygmy hippos. The jaguar cichlids were also replaced with younger individuals if that means anything
• Magpie geese pair Pinky and Banana are back in Australasia
• The snake enclosure next to the Komodo dragon is closed for upgrading. As were many of the Reptopia enclosures and the aviary
• Electric blue geckos are breeding very well, 4 of the hatchery tanks had them. Think there were other reptiles in the hatchery enclosure but none of them were signed. There were also 2 plastic tubs with a yellow-spotted Amazon turtle? in one of them and one tank with an albino crested gecko
• Some of the Rio Fuerte beaded lizards are mixed with the rattlesnakes again, seems like Gila monsters aren't there anymore
• Didn't see it but the New Caledonian giant gecko is back on display taking over the Bell's forest dragon exhibit
• Xingu River rays have been added to the Fragile Forest pond. The American white ibises have also been breeding and I saw some juveniles. Haven't seen the sloths for a long time and once again they were a no show
  
• The red river hog sign was removed with only the nyala sign being up there and the nyalas were out today
  
• The marabou stork is now in the giraffe enclosure. Guess it was being bullied by the zebras

 

[LeMandaiEnthusiast‧]

• The snake enclosure next to the Komodo dragon is closed for upgrading. As were many of the Reptopia enclosures and the aviary
• 
  
• seems like Gila monsters aren't there anymore
• 
  
• Haven't seen the sloths for a long time and once again they were a no show

Some pretty interesting observations and some that were a little surprising too.

The Philippine Sailfin Lizard signboard was by the Anacondas so I'm pretty surprised they changed it already.

Snake enclosure by the Komodo as far as I'm aware has been closed for quite a long while, the outdoor enclosure by Reptopia definitely for a while but the former South American tank in Reptopia seems to be (relatively) recent

Sloths are still on show, managed to find one with a little one clinging on 9th July

Sad to hear about the Gilas and hoping they're still on display, but glad to see that Stork back again

 

[Nadchew_]

I do hope they place more exciting display species in those ecotanks than Dawkinsia barbs
They used to have the alligator snapping turtle, an active pig-nosed turtle and the male anacondas there, perhaps some more large fish or aquatic reptiles would be nice

Does anyone know the day rotation schedule for the red river hogs and nyalas?

Depending on day but they are timeshared throughout. Usually its hogs first, ending w nyalas

 

[DannySG]

Some random observations from today's visit

• A false gharial sign was placed in the former anaconda exhibit by the pygmy hippos. The jaguar cichlids were also replaced with younger individuals if that means anything
• Magpie geese pair Pinky and Banana are back in Australasia
• The snake enclosure next to the Komodo dragon is closed for upgrading. As were many of the Reptopia enclosures and the aviary
• Electric blue geckos are breeding very well, 4 of the hatchery tanks had them. Think there were other reptiles in the hatchery enclosure but none of them were signed. There were also 2 plastic tubs with a yellow-spotted Amazon turtle? in one of them and one tank with an albino crested gecko
• Some of the Rio Fuerte beaded lizards are mixed with the rattlesnakes again, seems like Gila monsters aren't there anymore
• Didn't see it but the New Caledonian giant gecko is back on display taking over the Bell's forest dragon exhibit
• Xingu River rays have been added to the Fragile Forest pond. The American white ibises have also been breeding and I saw some juveniles. Haven't seen the sloths for a long time and once again they were a no show
  
• The red river hog sign was removed with only the nyala sign being up there and the nyalas were out today
  
• The marabou stork is now in the giraffe enclosure. Guess it was being bullied by the zebras

If my memory is correct, during visit I had last weekend, I saw two marabou storks, one is in Zebra enclosure, another one with Giraffe.

 

[Zooish]

Some random observations from today's visit

• A false gharial sign was placed in the former anaconda exhibit by the pygmy hippos. The jaguar cichlids were also replaced with younger individuals if that means anything
• Magpie geese pair Pinky and Banana are back in Australasia
• The snake enclosure next to the Komodo dragon is closed for upgrading. As were many of the Reptopia enclosures and the aviary
• Electric blue geckos are breeding very well, 4 of the hatchery tanks had them. Think there were other reptiles in the hatchery enclosure but none of them were signed. There were also 2 plastic tubs with a yellow-spotted Amazon turtle? in one of them and one tank with an albino crested gecko
• Some of the Rio Fuerte beaded lizards are mixed with the rattlesnakes again, seems like Gila monsters aren't there anymore
• Didn't see it but the New Caledonian giant gecko is back on display taking over the Bell's forest dragon exhibit
• Xingu River rays have been added to the Fragile Forest pond. The American white ibises have also been breeding and I saw some juveniles. Haven't seen the sloths for a long time and once again they were a no show
  
• The red river hog sign was removed with only the nyala sign being up there and the nyalas were out today
  
• The marabou stork is now in the giraffe enclosure. Guess it was being bullied by the zebras

I wouldn't read too much into the reptile signs at the Pygmy Hippo exhibit. They have been erroneously flipped around on a number of occasions. Not sure if its just staff oversight or itchy fingers. There are no more Green Anacondas in Mandai's collection other than the 2 females at River Wonders. I believe all the males that were housed at the Pygmy Hippo enclosure succumbed to infections.

The turtle hatchlings at Reptopia are Red-bellied Short-necked Turtles and Indian Black Turtle.

The Two-toed Sloth family (Bunny, Indigo and their new pup Hope) has always been in the Fragile Forest biodome. Their first offspring Luca is at Bird Paradise's Amazonian Jewels.

As mentioned by DannySG, there are 2.0 Marabou Storks at Wild Africa, one each in the Giraffe and Zebra exhibits.

 

[FBBird]

If my memory is correct, during visit I had last weekend, I saw two marabou storks, one is in Zebra enclosure, another one with Giraffe.

Flight restricted Marabous is a bad idea. Flight restricted Marabous with hoofstock is a worse idea

 

[Nadchew_]

Flight restricted Marabous is a bad idea. Flight restricted Marabous with hoofstock is a worse idea

May i know why? The 2 marabous have been with the giraffes and zebras for quite some time since 2021, with no known fighting or incidents that I am aware of. The marabou mixed with the zebra is injured and has only one intact wing

 

[Nadchew_]

In what way are the breeding pair and male Sulong and female Suri related or not? Do you know at all?

Sulong is the brother of Bongsu, the father of the two brothers. Suri is unrelated to all

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

May i know why? The 2 marabous have been with the giraffes and zebras for quite some time since 2021, with no known fighting or incidents that I am aware of. The marabou mixed with the zebra is injured and has only one intact wing

Marabou and other large savannah birds (like crowned cranes or bustards) do not do well in competition with hoofstock. These birds certainly require their own exhibit with sufficient non-disturbed space to allow them to have peace with mating rituals, nesting, brooding eggs and hatching/rearing young.

Similarly, do not maintain gnu and zebra with oneanother in close proximity, this will lead to aggression and competition for territory.

Sulong is the brother of Bongsu, the father of the two brothers. Suri is unrelated to all

Are they attempting to have both males paired up ... Marabou are colony breeders.

 

[LeMandaiEnthusiast‧]

Are they attempting to have both males paired up ... Marabou are colony breeders.

The names mentioned here belong to our Malayan Tigers

 

[Chapman'szebra]

Some random observations from today's visit

• The snake enclosure next to the Komodo dragon is closed for upgrading. As were many of the Reptopia enclosures and the aviary
• Some of the Rio Fuerte beaded lizards are mixed with the rattlesnakes again, seems like Gila monsters aren't there anymore
• Didn't see it but the New Caledonian giant gecko is back on display taking over the Bell's forest dragon exhibit

I will FOREVER be pissed off with the changes being made in Reptopia, they just can't seem to find middle ground. What used to be my favorite part of the Zoo along with Fragile Forest and The Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia is now so underwhelming and inconsistent. While Fragile Forest retains it beauty and its collection, The Great Rift Valley Of Ethiopia and Reptopia really need to change their game. Someone please tell the curators about our feelings like why-

ALSO. It was a mentioned in a thread that the zoo received 5 Diana monkeys last year. Are they meant for Rainforest Park Africa or for the zoo? It's been quite a while since they arrived? And what about the breeding pair of L'hoest's monkeys kept off show?