Who owns singapore zoo

The WRS took on a bank loan for the first time. Apart from finances, the organization also had to get past obstacles in talent recruitment. We do have experience with aquatic animals but not that comprehensive. For River Safari, we had to hire people with a different skill set. We were also launching a theme park-style boat ride which is new to us. We did not have the staff to manage that," Lee recounted. Since opening in February, the park has chalked up nearly one million visitors.

Lee estimates that the attraction will take 3 to 5 years to achieve break even. But for Lee, the welfare of the animals remains top priority too.

We are a zoo after all so conservation, research and education are important to us [but] we are very mindful of profitability as we don't receive any subsidies [so] we have to make sure we earn enough to maintain our premises," he told CNBC. It's a series of primate islands which are naturalistic and present the animals up-close; I love Douc langurs. And obviously Night Safari. What do you think makes the Singapore Zoo so internationally renowned and successful now?

It was Ah Meng and Breakfast at the Zoo that put us on the world map, without a doubt. And there were many hidden gems all over the world that you have never heard of. But the issue is getting on the world map and being noticed—that's critical. I spent many years trying to convince the Singapore Tourism Board to promote us, and eventually they bit with the idea of breakfast with an orangutan. We eventually had so much international publicity from this that we never looked back.

I loved my job and I loved the staff and I loved the institutions, which is Wildlife Reserves Singapore. I left because of differences with my Chairman, Dr Kwa Soon Bee, bless his soul, who passed away a few years ago.

We just came from different sides of the universe and landed on the planet—he from left-wing civil service and me from right-wing autocracy. There were several impasses at which point finally one of us had to give.

And as he was my boss, I gave. Later I had a chat with Dr Kwa and I had no feelings of anger or remorse. In fact I was totally grateful to him, as he had pushed me out into a much more interesting and challenging career. I have thought about it. I did look at developing something we called Rimba, a joint venture with Sentosa—a wildlife attraction with a restaurant and retail store.

But it fell through. Absolute bliss; I am truly blessed. I do yoga three times a week and run a consultancy business from the beach. I get up in the morning, take my three dogs down to the beach; sit at my favorite cafe I have two and look for Agung the volcano ; answer my email and read my e-newspaper Washington Post, New York Times; sometimes The Straits Times.

It will really be a shame when he is impeached, as there will be nothing more to look forward to reading about. Pence will toe the Republican line explicitly! This beloved establishment first opened its gates to the public in , and has since become one of the best rainforest zoos in the world. Besides being home to over 2, animals from species—including crocodiles, Malayan tapirs and white tigers—the zoo has won a trove of international and local awards.

Befriend the grey kangaroos and wallabies at the Australasia exhibit, get up close to the adorable lemurs and sloths of Fragile Forest and marvel at the majestic lions and zebras of Wild Africa. Various opportunities for up-close encounters abound at the zoo, including behind-the-scenes insights on the Wild Discoverer Tour , breakfast with wildlife and feeding sessions with animals like giraffes and elephants.

Watch Californian sea lions showing off their agility at the Splash Safari , learn amazing facts about our domesticated companions at Animal Friends and befriend the gentle giants of the Elephant Presentation. Join the adorable mascots of the Creature Crew, as they fight to save the rainforest in a multimedia night walk that takes places across 10 interactive zones.

Go on an animal-themed romp with your entire family at Kidzworld , which features myriad activities like a water playground, rope course and pony rides. Feeling peckish? Drop by Ah Meng Kitchen for a taste of authentic local dishes like nasi lemak rice dish cooked in coconut milk, served with an array of side dishes and laksa spicy coconut milk-based noodle soup.