I suppose the exhibit has been redevelopped recently. I cannot remember these information panels when I was over there several years back.
Perhaps Zooish can confirm this and elaborate on this exhibit and how it relates to the famous Monkey Islands with Lion-taileds, Doucs and free-ranging leaf-eating Duskies and Silvereds.
I wish Zooish would give us some insight into the primate world at Singapore and the future outlook (and really how it will stimulate the keeping and breeding of SE Asian leaf-eating monkeys ... more Presbytis species please).
jelle, this exhibit was opened in 1998 and the information panels have been there all the while. A second exhibit is being built now to display another breeding group. Both exhibits are fully netted as proboscis are excellent divers, jumpers and swimmers which make island exhibits ineffective.
The monkey islands are part of a display called "Primate Kingdom" which opened in the early 90s. The species displayed has changed over the years. At present, the species housed here are: Douc Langur, Sulawesi Macaque, Guereza Colobus, Patas Monkey, Brown Capuchin, Spider Monkey and Cottontop Tamarin.
The free ranging langurs (silvered and Javan) roam the entire Zoo compound.
There are several other primate islands located around the Zoo which house gibbons, lemurs, howlers, orangutans, etc.
Indeed, Singapore Zoo will be focusing on breeding SE Asian leaf-eating monkeys in the near future. Currently the zoo staff are working with Purple-faced Langurs off-exhibit to fine-tune the husbandry techniques. Exact plans such as what species to focus on are still being deliberated.
