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Singapore Zoo’s 50th anniversary celebrations to include buggy tours, Mandai Wildlife Run

Visitors can also learn how to make recycled paper out of scrap papers at a sustainability workshop.

Seif Umar

Certified football, Formula One and teh tarik addict.

Published: 22 May 2023, 6:17 PM

The Singapore Zoo will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee on Jun 27.

First opened in 1973 with just 272 animals across 72 species, the zoo has become home to more than 4,200 animals from over 300 species in the past 50 years.

Singapore Zoo welcomed close to 60 million visitors over the last five decades. PHOTO CREDIT: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP

The zoo will celebrate the milestone with a plethora of activities starting from May 27.

Making a return after three years, the Mandai Wildlife Run will give runners the opportunity to race across the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Wonders on Sep 23 and 24.

This year’s edition of the run sees new categories catering to seniors and families with children. PHOTO CREDIT: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP

The Mandai Wildlife Run consists of the 5km Competitive Challenge, 5km Fun Run and new race categories such as the 3km Ranger Buddies Family Dash and 5km Silvers Leisure Walk.

Those interested to take part in the Mandai Wildlife Run can register between Jun 27 and Sep 4. They can subsequently collect their race entry packs between Sep 16 and 17.

Some familiar faces recognised at the zoo include Omar the white tiger, Ah Meng the Sumatran orangutan and Inuka the first polar bear born in the tropics. PHOTO CREDIT: MANDAI WILDLIFE RESERVE

The celebrations also include the Zoo Adventure Tour – ZOObilee edition from Jun 27 to Aug 27. The private buggy tour will incorporate key highlights of the zoo’s history along with animal interaction and feeding sessions.

Participants will also be given two specially curated handbooks to explore the park while uncovering the history and highlights of Singapore Zoo’s 50 years.

Participants will get to feed animals such as elephants and zebras during the buggy tours. PHOTO CREDIT: MANDAI WILDLIFE RESERVE

Tour bookings open on May 27, with timings available from 9.30am to 11am and from 2.30pm to 4pm. Tickets for the buggy that can fit up to seven people cost $440 on weekdays and $550 on weekends and public holidays.

There will also be a behind-the-scenes experience held at the Fragile Forest on Aug 6. Called the Singapore Zoo Backstage Pass – Incredible Invertebrates , participants will learn more about the role of insects in the ecosystem.

They can also get hands-on with activities such as identifying butterfly eggs and releasing newly-unfurled butterflies into the Butterfly Aviary.

Although they may be small, invertebrates make up 95 percent of the animal kingdom. PHOTO CREDIT: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP

The tour takes place every Thursday and Sunday starting from Jul 6, between 10am and 11am.

Passes are available from Jul 6 at a cost of $118.40 on weekdays and $148 on weekends and public holidays.

The Common Mormon and the Great Eggfly butterfly are some of the species that can be found in the Butterfly Aviary. PHOTO CREDIT: BUTTERFLIES OF SINGAPORE/ELLEN TAN, KHEW SK

Visitors can also look forward to sustainability workshops such as the Happy ZOObilee Recycled Card Making Workshop by Studio An from Fridays to Sundays between May 27 and Jul 16.

Held at the Pavilion by the Lake, participants can learn how to make recycled paper out of scrap papers at $15 per workshop, with $2 off when they bring their own materials.

There will be various promotions at shops and eateries at the zoo as well, including 50 per cent off on the second scoop of premium ice cream at the Ah Meng Bistro from Jun 1 to Jun 25 between 9am to 5pm on weekdays and 10.30am and 5.30pm on weekends.

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