Frozen Tundra (U/C)

Somewhat cheesy-looking entrance to the Frozen Tundra exhibit. This section houses indoor climate-controlled enclosures for raccoon dogs and wolverines, while the largely-outdoor polar bear enclosure is further to the right.

No date has been given for the opening, but construction is set for completion by the end of the year.

Update: The exhibit will be officially launched on 16 March 2013.

I can't help thinking that for the money this must has have cost a facility could have been built for SE Asian small carnivore species. These would cope far better with the climate and be in much more need of captive breeding. Marbled cats, anyone?

What is the situation with polar bears at the Singapore Zoo? Will the new exhibit at River Safari replace the old exhibit at the zoo with the polar bears moving from the main zoo to River Safari?

DavidBrown said:

What is the situation with polar bears at the Singapore Zoo? Will the new exhibit at River Safari replace the old exhibit at the zoo with the polar bears moving from the main zoo to River Safari?

Click to expand...

it is the same exhibit. They built the new one where the old one stood (the bears, if I remember right, have been held in their inside quarters for the whole construction time).

The Zoo and River Safari are directly next to each other. The tundra exhibit (bears, wolverines, raccoon dogs) was going to be part of River Safari but then it was decided to leave it as part of the zoo instead. I can't remember if this was due to money issues or timing issues. I think it basically means having the entrance on one side (the zoo side) rather than the other side (the River Safari side).

Part of the old enclosure was also kept intact during most of the construction period so the bears could still have outdoor access until they were moved into their new, larger indoor dens. And yes the decision to keep the tundra exhibit as a zoo attraction was motivated by cost - to reduce the River Safari's initial construction budget and subsequent operating costs.

Here's the official blurb on Frozen Tundra from WRS (SIC):

Catch Singapore's beloved polar bear in his all-new den.

Singapore's beloved polar bear, Inuka, return to the spotlight, this time joined by wolverines and raccoon dogs. Their new home at the Zoo boasts a groundbreaking, climate-controlled design that simulates the glaciers and semi-frozen freshwater systems of the Artic North. Visitors get to watch the animals play, feed and swim from three viewing elevations.

Singapore’s beloved white polar bear, Inuka, return to the public eye in his new den, which features a groundbreaking climate-controlled design that simulates the ice-covered ocean and permafrost of the Arctic North region. At this newest addition to Singapore Zoo’s stable of attractions, not only will you get up close with Arctic wildlife, you’ll learn more about the importance of glaciers and semi-frozen freshwater ecosystems. The latter is one of the most threatened biome in the world.

The first polar bear born in the tropics, Inuka, is named in the Inuit language to reflect the innate silent stealth of these great white carnivores when they hunt. Catch Inuka in action at the 1,400-sq. m. habitat, where there are indoor and outdoor areas for the bears to roam and play, as well as pools to swim in. The exhibit features three viewing elevations for visitors to see the animals, which include the hugely popular underwater view as well as windows cut into frozen rocks.

The polar bears will also get new neighbours—wolverines and raccoon dogs. The wolverines resemble small bears in physical appearance and have thick, dark and frost-resistant fur. Perhaps you might lose your heart to the adorable raccoon dogs or tanuki, which have distinctive dark stripes on their backs and make noises similar to cats.

I do sort of wonder why they went with raccoon dogs over Arctic foxes. I'm not complaining at all (I'd much rather see a raccoon dog than an Arctic fox!) but the latter would be a better fit for the theme.