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The Singapore Zoo, formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens and commonly known locally
as the Mandai Zoo, occupies 28 hectares of land on the margins of Upper Seletar Reservoir
within Singapore's heavily forested central catchment area.
The conception of the Singapore Zoo dates from 1969. In 1970, consultants and staff
were hired, and in 1971, the construction of the basic 50 enclosures started. Animals
were collected from dealers and donated by sponsors. The zoo was opened on 27 June 1973.
It is operated by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, who also manage the neighbouring Night Safari
and the Jurong BirdPark. There are about 315 species of animal in the zoo, of which some
16% are considered threatened species. The zoo attracts about 1.6 million visitors each
year.
Animals are kept in spacious, landscaped enclosures separated from the visitors by either dry
or wet moats. The moats are concealed with vegetation or dropped below the line of vision.
Dangerous animals that can climb well are housed in landscaped glass-fronted enclosures.
The zoo has not expanded beyond the original 28 hectares. However, 40 hectares of secondary
forest were later developed into the Night Safari. The remaining undeveloped land has
been kept as wooded land. This and the waters of Upper Seletar Reservoir contribute to the
Zoo, giving it a sense of natural, unrestricted space.
The zoo also offers various modes of rides available within the premises: trams, animals,
boat, pony and horse carriage rides. Strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs can also be rented.
The Zoo houses the largest captive colony of orangutans in the world. In 1977, primatologist
Dr Francine Neago lived inside a cage with eighteen orangutans for six months to study
their behavior and communication.