Original Description:
The Singapore Zoo displays a large social group of 25 orang utans in a spacious naturalistic enclosure. Though not the only zoo in the world to display a social group of orang utans, we are the only ones who have done so on such a large scale.
The provision of a large enclosure and lots of climbing platforms allow the orang utans to get away from their group members and enjoy moments of peace when needed. The platforms not only allow the apes to develop their natural climbing skills but also serve as escape routes for them should fighting break out.
These highly intelligent animals have to be kept occupied or boredom will consume them, which occurs ever so often in captivity. We keep the orang utans busy through the use of a technique known as behavioural enrichment.
The ability to breed is a good indication of the state of physical and emotional health of a zoo animal, and we are proud to have bred a total of 33 orang utans to date. We have sent some of our orang utans to zoos in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, Japan, Australia and New Zealand as part of the worldwide exchange programme to facilitate breeding of this highly endangered ape.
The Singapore Zoo occupies 28 hectares (0.28 km²) of land on the margins of Upper Seletar Reservoir within Singapore's heavily forested central catchment area. The zoo was built at a cost of S$9m granted by the government of Singapore and opened on 23 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 1.4 million visitors a year.
The Singapore Zoo followed the modern trend of displaying animals in naturalistic, 'open' exhibits, i.e. with hidden barriers, behind moats and shrubbery etc. It also houses the largest captive colony of orangutans in the world.
Opening hours
8.30am to 6.00pm daily
Entrance fees (admission only)
Adult S$16.50
Child (3-12 years old) S$8.50