Books about the WRS Parks

zooboy28

Well-Known Member
Following my trip to Singapore I have been trying to find books to buy on the parks. I saw the guidebooks for the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari ($30 or $40 each), but couldn't buy them at the time. I see they are both available online, are they worth buying? Do they contain any information specifically pertaining to the WRS parks, or are they general species descriptions?

Also, are there any other books that have been published about the parks, and are there any places to purchase such books online? Is there a website Singaporeans typically use to sell old books?
 
The guidebooks contain generic species information, and are somewhat outdated as they were written based on the parks' collection plan circa early-to-mid 2000s.

The best book ever written about the Zoo and Night Safari is "The First 21 Years" by Ilsa Sharp, published in 1994. Very detailed account of the parks' inception and ideology behind many of the park concepts, with many photos. It may still be available on Amazon or Ebay. I have a copy, but I could never part with it :)

Synopsis: The first 21 years : the Singapore Zoological Gardens story / [Ilsa Sharp]. - BookSG - National Library Board, Singapore

For Jurong, "On Wings of Excellence" (no author credited), also published in 1994, is the definitive book. It too captures in detail the history and growth of the park. I've only ever seen it in the Singapore public libraries.

Synopsis: On wings of excellence. - BookSG - National Library Board, Singapore

Since then, no such 'coffee table' books have been published about the 3 parks.
 
I was really interested in this until I just searched it on Amazon and found out (in US dollars) it is $124 new or $100 used. OUCH!

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/First-Years-Singapore-Zoological-Garden/dp/9810056745/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347393744&sr=1-1&keywords=the+first+21+years+the+singapore+zoological+garden]Amazon.com: The First 21 Years The Singapore Zoological Garden Story (9789810056742): Ilsa Sharp: Books[/ame]
 
The guidebooks contain generic species information, and are somewhat outdated as they were written based on the parks' collection plan circa early-to-mid 2000s.

The best book ever written about the Zoo and Night Safari is "The First 21 Years" by Ilsa Sharp, published in 1994. Very detailed account of the parks' inception and ideology behind many of the park concepts, with many photos. It may still be available on Amazon or Ebay. I have a copy, but I could never part with it :)

Synopsis: The first 21 years : the Singapore Zoological Gardens story / [Ilsa Sharp]. - BookSG - National Library Board, Singapore

For Jurong, "On Wings of Excellence" (no author credited), also published in 1994, is the definitive book. It too captures in detail the history and growth of the park. I've only ever seen it in the Singapore public libraries.

Synopsis: On wings of excellence. - BookSG - National Library Board, Singapore

Since then, no such 'coffee table' books have been published about the 3 parks.

Thanks Zooish, I shall keep my eyes peeled for copies. If you happen to come across any, please let me know.
 
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