I visited Sentosa Insect Kingdom in mid-March, 2009. Entry was Sing. $10, which at the date I visited was almost exactly Au$10.
The visitor is taken through a couple of rooms, starting with a fairly extensive display of insect and other fossils, to put insects in an evolutionary perspective. There were several large displays of mounted (ie dead) insects, each display was themed in some way.
Moving through these exhibit rooms, the visitor passes a (too) small aviary with a beautiful pair of Toco Toucans, then into a very large walk-though aviary. It is this aviary which contains free-flight butterflies. They did indeed present a beautiful sight, and it was a pleasure to wander the paths through the luxuriant tropical vegetation admiring them.
However the establishment seems to be having an identity crisis, as there were also quite a number of birds to be seen. Most prominently there was a table with a collection of macaws on perches behind, the offer to the visitor being for a photo with the macaws for $5. A variety of other birds could be found in the undergrowth, ranging from crowned pigeons to domestic chickens. What effect these birds have on the butterfly population, I'm not sure. There was even a large iguana sitting on a rock, I latter found it was also available for photos.
Leaving the aviary the visitor enters a tunnel which wraps around the outside of the aviary. There are a variety of displays for beetles, scorpions and spiders, however many of them were empty, and the ones that were occupied were not labeled. The exhibits, most of which were quite small, usually had a perspex cover with air holes drilled through them, which were not the easiest to see through in the light conditions.
There were also several reptile displays, including a few for turtles that were cruelly small. Management had installed a sign saying they would be upgrading this area, it needs it.
Leaving the tunnel one enters another series of rooms with mounted displays. These really were very well done, and anybody with an interest in insects would be well advised to allow plenty of time to inspect them thoroughly. Then it was out through the customary gift shop.
Worth a visit if you have the time, but it could be a whole lot better.
Michael Johnson
Moonlit-Sanctuary -
The visitor is taken through a couple of rooms, starting with a fairly extensive display of insect and other fossils, to put insects in an evolutionary perspective. There were several large displays of mounted (ie dead) insects, each display was themed in some way.
Moving through these exhibit rooms, the visitor passes a (too) small aviary with a beautiful pair of Toco Toucans, then into a very large walk-though aviary. It is this aviary which contains free-flight butterflies. They did indeed present a beautiful sight, and it was a pleasure to wander the paths through the luxuriant tropical vegetation admiring them.
However the establishment seems to be having an identity crisis, as there were also quite a number of birds to be seen. Most prominently there was a table with a collection of macaws on perches behind, the offer to the visitor being for a photo with the macaws for $5. A variety of other birds could be found in the undergrowth, ranging from crowned pigeons to domestic chickens. What effect these birds have on the butterfly population, I'm not sure. There was even a large iguana sitting on a rock, I latter found it was also available for photos.
Leaving the aviary the visitor enters a tunnel which wraps around the outside of the aviary. There are a variety of displays for beetles, scorpions and spiders, however many of them were empty, and the ones that were occupied were not labeled. The exhibits, most of which were quite small, usually had a perspex cover with air holes drilled through them, which were not the easiest to see through in the light conditions.
There were also several reptile displays, including a few for turtles that were cruelly small. Management had installed a sign saying they would be upgrading this area, it needs it.
Leaving the tunnel one enters another series of rooms with mounted displays. These really were very well done, and anybody with an interest in insects would be well advised to allow plenty of time to inspect them thoroughly. Then it was out through the customary gift shop.
Worth a visit if you have the time, but it could be a whole lot better.
Michael Johnson
Moonlit-Sanctuary -
