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Funworld February 2012
The Singapore Zoo has come a long way from being just another tourist attraction in this developed island city. Today it takes on the role of being Earth’s caretaker by conserving Asian wildlife, dwindling native species, and precious resources. Together with two other attractions—the Night Safari and the Jurong Bird Park—Singapore Zoo is grouped under the parent company of Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS). By third quarter 2012, River Safari will join this trio. The new river-themed park will host two giant pandas and freshwater ecosystems shaped after the Mississippi, Yangtze, and Nile rivers.
Energy will be conserved, as Singapore has no grid supply of clean and renewable energy. Efficiencies will be seen through passive design, use of CFLs and LED lamps, sensor-activated lamps and fans in public washrooms, increased biodiesel use in vehicles, natural gas generation from waste, and more. Additionally, audits will be carried out to measure and monitor the use of energy, water, and waste. WRS is also pushing for the ISO 14064 certification for the measurement and reduction of greenhouse gases. And it hopes to get an Eco Office Certification. “We are now starting to measure [our carbon footprint] so that we know where to go in the next few years,” says May Lok, education director for Wildlife Reserves Singapore. The use of alternative energy sources is virtually negligible here apart from a trial solar-powered fan at the Australian Outback exhibit. Lok explains the test period with vocational institute students will hopefully provide solutions on overcoming prohibitive weather conditions such as excessive rain due to its rainforest setting, and cloudy days. The use of potable water is reduced drastically from the collection of rainwater on the buildings’ rooftops to wash pens. Apart from the rainwater storage system, there are a recycled-water system and water design features like a bioswale (aquatic plant filtration pond) at the River Safari to minimize water use. What’s more, some waste is turned into resources. Herbivore dung—mainly from elephants—is sent to WRS’s off-site farm to be used as fertilizer. There, specific plants and trees are grown and nourished to feed its leaf-eating monkeys. Elephant dung is also turned into paper, which is sold on site.
Instead of printing more workbooks for schoolchildren engagement, there is a mobile interactive trail with the use of GPS activated smartphones and image-recognition technology. Kids can take photos of animals at the Wild Africa zone that trigger related videos. They jot down notes in a dropbox where teachers can review electronically. Above all, WRS is bent on keeping its animals and birds healthy and alive, especially endangered species. It set up a conservation fund in 2009, which it sustains by apportioning to it S$0.20 (US$0.16) of the parks’ admission. To date it has supported seven research projects and two workshops in promoting native species preservation, awareness, education, and outreach. In 2010 WRS ushered in 300 new births and hatchlings that include endangered species like the cotton-top tamarin, the pygmy hippopotamus, and the Douc langur. The zoo alone houses 3,000 specimens from 36 species, 36 percent of which are threatened. Hence, promoting wildlife conservation and community involvement is at the heart of WRS’s philosophy. “First, we allow people to get close to nature; you can’t love wildlife if you don’t know them,” says Lok. “Then we tell them what they can do as individuals, no matter how small, to make a difference.” Mallika Naguran is a freelance writer and editor based in Singapore, specializing in hospitality, tourism, and environment.
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In 2010 WRS received a record 3.6 million visitors. Aware of its environmental impact with an overall increase of about 100,000 visitors per park a year, plus an expected annual visitorship of 700,000 at the upcoming River Safari, WRS wants to reduce its carbon footprint. First, it will look out for greenhouse gas hot spots in all of its parks, then make recommendations against targets set to reduce their adverse impact on climate change.
Sugarcane fiber paper is used in the office. Used and shredded paper converts into animal bedding. Food and beverage outlets are instructed to provide cornware takeaways instead of plastics and virgin pulp, while staff lunch with metal forks and spoons. A hawk-eyed Green Team watches over these practices, as it aims for an overall 5 percent paper use reduction.