Conserving Biodiversity - Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Conserving Biodiversity
WRS’ vision is to be the foremost wildlife institution in the world. WRS not only offers a safe
haven for wildlife but also champions the protection of wildlife, especially endangered
species, in their natural habitats.
WRS strives to realise its vision through:
• Ex-situ conservation and research
• Highest management standards for captive wildlife care
• Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund (WRSCF)
• Local and regional projects
• Inspiring future conservationists
• Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation
• Sharing best practices and
capacity building
• Sharing expertise
through publication
EX-SITU CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH:
Breeding and managing endangered and threatened species in captivity
WRS breeds endangered and threatened species not only to maintain
the animal collection but also to participate actively in animal exchange
programmes with other reputable zoos, enhancing the genetic diversity
of animal collections around the world without drawing on wild
populations. Since 2000, WRS has achieved 375 successful births for 35
endangered species – a testimony to good animal husbandry and excellent
veterinary care.
WRS promotes research on the husbandry and reproductive biology
of various endangered South East Asian animal species that few other
zoological facilities have successfully kept or bred. This team-effort involving
the Zoology and Veterinary staff has proven to be a unique success at the
Night Safari where the Park is the first zoological institution to breed the
Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) in captivity.
At the Jurong Bird Park we are proud to have succeeded in the artificial
incubation of two great pied hornbills (Buceros bicornis), the yellow-billed
stork (Mycterbia ibis) and the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo).
For many years WRS has contributed to the conservation of Asian elephants
through animal exchange programmes, research and scientific collaboration.
Night Safari recently celebrated the birth of a male elephant after a hiatus
of nine years. The Park has also collaborated with Perth Zoo on the complex
procedure of artificial insemination to help Australia in its efforts to develop
sustainable captive elephant groups.
Singapore Zoo is one of the leading zoological facilities for the captive
management and breeding of endangered Asian primates. Recent highlights
included the births of two Sumatran orang utans (Pongo abelii) and six
critically endangered cotton top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus). Singapore
Zoo has also been very successful in breeding highly endangered reptile
species such as the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and the critically
endangered river terrapin (Batagur baska).
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