5 things to look out for at Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s Year of the Rabbit celebrations

Mandai Wildlife Reserve is ushering in a “hare-py” Year of the Rabbit with a series of activities and events from Jan 21 to Feb 5. 

Get up close and personal with Mini Rex Rabbits, catch a lion dance performance and receive auspicious greetings from animal ambassadors at the parks this Chinese New Year. 

Here are some highlights you can look forward to:

The Buddy Barn in Singapore Zoo’s Rainforest KidzWorld hosts a small group of Mini Rex Rabbits which guests can interact with during interactive sessions throughout the year.

Visitors can also watch the rabbits celebrate the new year in their own way with a lohei platter specially prepared for them by their trainers. The feeding session will take place from 2.30pm to 3pm from Jan 21 to 23 and Jan 28 and 29.

Besides interacting with these fluffy friends, you can learn more about how to care for rabbits in general through games and activities. These will be available at a booth at the Animal Playground from Jan 21 to 24, 28 and 29, and Feb 4 and 5.

Get auspicious greetings from various animals from Jan 21 to Feb 5. 

The animals will be unveiling banners with greetings on them at different locations throughout Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s parks.

A sea lion will greet visitors in the Singapore Zoo at the Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre at 10.30am and 5pm. At 12pm and 2.30pm, the amphitheatre will host a coatimundi.

Also in the Singapore Zoo, there will be a pack of canines at the Rainforest KidzWorld Amphitheatre at 1.30pm and 4pm.

Boat Plaza in River Wonders will feature a capybara and an African Grey Parrot that will reveal some lucky numbers for the year at 11.30am, 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

A mainstay at Chinese New Year celebration, a lion dance performance will be held at the Singapore Zoo Entrance from Jan 22 to 24. 

The performance will be accompanied by the God of Fortune walking around to take pictures with guests to grant them good luck and prosperity.

The performance will take place once at 10am and once at 2pm.

Visitors can read up on their zodiac predictions for the year in the Singapore Zoo, River Wonders and Night Safari. The panels will be up from Jan 21 to Feb 5 in each wildlife park.

They are located in the Singapore Zoo opposite the otter exhibit, in River Wonders in the Panda Courtyard, and at the entrance walkway of the Night Safari.

A selection of Chinese New Year-themed apparel will be available at the Singapore Zoo Main Outlet, River Wonders Shop and Night Safari Gift Shop.

Guests can also purchase rabbit-themed macarons from the Ah Meng Bistro in Singapore Zoo or The Wild Mart at the entrance of the Singapore Zoo. 

Mandai Wildlife Reserve will also be giving out an exclusive red packet set with every Friends of Wildlife or Friends of Wildlife Plus (Individual Adult/Family) membership sign-up. Guests can sign up via the Friends of Wildlife website.