Photos taken by Koh Chin Teck on 11th august 2002:

http://megaweb.clubsnap.org/d60_bukittimah/230-3096_crw_std.jpg

http://megaweb.clubsnap.org/d60_bukittimah/230-3097_crw_std.jpg

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By Koh Chin Teck, taken on various days:

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http://megaweb.clubsnap.org/d60_bg7/crw_1488_std.jpg

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http://megaweb.clubsnap.org/d60_bg8/crw_1921_std.jpg http://megaweb.clubsnap.org/d60_bg8/crw_1919_std.jpg

http://megaweb.clubsnap.org/d60_bg8/crw_1914_std.jpg http://megaweb.clubsnap.org/d60_bg8/crw_1923_std.jpg

http://megaweb.clubsnap.org/d60_bg8/crw_1901_std.jpg

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Jungle culture!:guns1:

I been there once, to collect earthworms and fungi for my school science project.
I recall reading that the authorities were toying with the idea of building traveller's lodge there but scrapped the plan...

Another similar park is the Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, near the border with Malaysia..that place is seriously ulu!:D

I have actually been there countless times....if you do go, do try walking throught the tracks rather then the main road. It was quite an experience when you have to climb up "mini-cliffs"!! :D

hmmm.. is this the park that has the night park thing? and is expensive as well?

Originally posted by renell

hmmm.. is this the park that has the night park thing? and is expensive as well?

I dunno. Entrance to the nature reserve is free.
But the zoo has a night safari open till 11pm every night I think. Entrance fee is about S$15.

Originally posted by RafflesCity

I dunno. Entrance to the nature reserve is free.
But the zoo has a night safari open till 11pm every night I think. Entrance fee is about S$15. The high price of the night safari has meant that I NEVER went there in my life time! :D

I remember they wanted to build traveller's lodges there..wonder if they're still doing it. I dont think its a good idea though.

Originally posted by RafflesCity

I remember they wanted to build traveller's lodges there..wonder if they're still doing it. I dont think its a good idea though. U mean in Bukit Timah? Hm...strangely I have not heard of the plans either since its inception?

Nice pics of the only other rainforest in the world within city limits. :)

Originally posted by TropicalSQ744

Nice pics of the only other rainforest in the world within city limits. :) Er...and where's the "other"? ;)

NOV 28, 2003

Lemurs thriving in Bukit Timah

The nature reserve is supporting a 3,000-strong colony of flying lemurs, which were previously thought to be near extinction in Singapore, together with a range of other animal and insect species

By Chang Ai-Lien

THE shy and nocturnal flying lemur, which was thought to be destined for extinction here, has surprised a researcher who found the furry mammal to be thriving in Singapore's nature reserves. An estimated 3,000 flying lemurs were found in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Area, said Mr Norman Lim, who has spent the past 1 1/2 years studying the animal.

'This is quite a healthy number for a medium-sized mammal, and indicates that the animal is doing well,' said the fourth-year student from the department of biological sciences at the National University of Singapore. His study was the first census of flying lemurs here. Previous estimates had the population at about 200 animals.

Though little is known about the creature, it is believed that it has thrived despite the shrinking habitat here because it is not a very fussy eater, feeding on a variety of leaves, and has no predators. It has also adapted to life in the thicker jungles of secondary forests.

Mr Lim said that although flying lemurs could be found in all types of forest, they prefer primary forest. This is probably because of its richer variety of trees - the animal's main source of food. The taller trees also give them more room to manoeuvre.

There are only two species of flying lemur in the world, both of which are found in South-east Asia, and their closest relatives are not known, although experts say they could be primates or bats. The animal's distinctive feature is a membrane of skin that acts like a cape. Stretched between the neck and the forepaws, and the hind legs and the tip of the tail, it allows the creature to glide over 100m from tree to tree.

Going by their numbers here, the flying lemur population is likely to be sustainable and there is no immediate threat of extinction, said Mr Lim. Associate Professor Peter Ng, director of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research: 'This animal is secretive and rarely seen. A study like this shows that an endangered animal like the flying lemur is doing better than we thought.'

However, other less-adaptable species could be in trouble. Earlier this year, a landmark study by the National University of Singapore and Australia's Northern Territory University found that Singapore has lost about half its animal species in the last 200 years. Based on detailed documentation of the state of mammals, birds, fish and butterflies on the island, it found that at least 881 of 3,196 recorded species, or 28 per cent - had vanished forever.

Taking into account the probable number of animals here before detailed records were made in the late 1800s, it predicted this figure was actually higher - about half Singapore's animals. And more than half of those remaining live in the nature reserves.

Considering how many species have gone extinct, Prof Ng said it was a very pleasant surprise to find the flying lemurs thriving. 'It shows that even though we have small forests, they do contain some jewels.'

Originally posted by huaiwei

[B]Lemurs thriving in Bukit Timah

The nature reserve is supporting a 3,000-strong colony of flying lemurs, which were previously thought to be near extinction in Singapore, together with a range of other animal and insect species

'This animal is secretive and rarely seen. A study like this shows that an endangered animal like the flying lemur is doing better than we thought.'

'It shows that even though we have small forests, they do contain some jewels.'

Cool!
We've been sharing the city with these flying creatures! :okay:

Originally posted by RafflesCity

Cool!
We've been sharing the city with these flying creatures! :okay:

Awesome! I love these creatures..

Aren't they just cuuuuuttte? :)

http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild//images/lemur_big.gif

Originally posted by huaiwei

Er...and where's the "other"? ;)

Some city in Brazil, forgot which one. :) I'm sure our many Brazillian Fourmers would be willing to fill us in on that. :)

Night Safari's $3m amphitheatre opens with 30-minute live show. Opening the facility, minister says tourism is back to pre-Sars levels

By Leong Pik Yin

CREATURES of the night, including owls, flying foxes and hyenas, will forage, hunt and devour at Night Safari's new $3 million amphitheatre.

Open to the public today, the show gives visitors the chance to see nocturnal animals in their natural state - within metres of their seats.

The 30-minute show, set amid jungle foliage and the 'ruins' of an ancient coliseum, opens with two adult hyenas tearing apart a slab of raw meat atop a cliff.

It is the first live show that combines 'the appeal of a natural history programme and the excitement of a real-life drama', said the Singapore Zoo's executive director, Dr Cheng Wen Haur.

The cast of 18 animals, some of which make appearances amid the audience, display their survival skills within a storyline about how humans are destroying their natural habitat.

Action Theatre, a Singapore theatre production company, wrote the script for the show.

Entry to the Night Safari, together with the tram ride and the show, costs $15.75 for adults and $10.50 for children aged three to 12.

Before the venue was built, Night Safari staged 'test shows' to see how the nocturnal animals would behave. Every show was packed. Many tourists who came for those shows lamented that they could barely catch a glimpse, said a spokesman for the Night Safari. About 70 per cent of its one million visitors per year are tourists.

After five years of planning, the 500 sq m amphitheatre, which seats 600 and has state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, was launched last night.

The Creatures Of The Night show, staged at 8pm and 9pm, is expected to boost Night Safari's profile internationally, said its spokesman.

Trade and Industry Minister George Yeo opened the amphitheatre by smashing open a make-believe boulder to reveal a commemorative plaque.

He said after the show: 'I think it will be a hit with visitors - both Singaporeans and tourists.'

Tourism is now back to pre-Sars levels, he said, and if Sars does not return, next year should be even better 'because the global economy is recovering and people are travelling again'.

The Singapore Tourism Board has been going all out since the industry was battered by Sars earlier this year. While visitor arrivals have picked up, the total is expected to reach just six million for the year, about a fifth fewer than the 7.6 million who came last year.

Originally posted by TropicalSQ744

Some city in Brazil, forgot which one. :) I'm sure our many Brazillian Fourmers would be willing to fill us in on that. :)

Its Rio de Janerio. I recall saying that Singapore is the only city in the world apart from Rio in another tread, which resulted in people posting tons of photos proving that their cities also have rainforests(I won't pinpoint).:D

Panama City also claims the title, but is not official.

Originally posted by TropicalSQ744

Awesome! I love these creatures..

Aren't they just cuuuuuttte? :)

http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild//images/lemur_big.gif Oooooo!! I didnt noe they are that cute!! :D

Originally posted by Cliff

Its Rio de Janerio. I recall saying that Singapore is the only city in the world apart from Rio in another tread, which resulted in people posting tons of photos proving that their cities also have rainforests(I won't pinpoint).:D

Panama City also claims the title, but is not official. BTW....we are talking about primary rainforests smack in the middle of a city arent we? We dont count forests sitting in pockets all over the pheriphery?

Want some nightlife?!
Check out the Singapore Zoological Gardens...

Visit the Zoo at night and a whole different experience awaits. As the name suggests, it is like going on safari, but instead of riding in a jeep and peering at the creatures on the game reserve from afar, one can sit comfortably in a tram and still get a good view in the dimness of night. Billed the world's premier night zoo, here you can look a rhinoceros in the eye, hear hyenas howl and gaze at felines on the prowl – at a safe distance, of course.

There are more than 1,200 animals from over 110 exotic species spread across 8 zones. Some of the simulated geographic regions include Southeast Asian rainforest, Burmese jungle, Nepalese river valley, African savanna, and South American pampas.

A walking trail is also provided – awesome, but safe.

Let's go around now
http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/night_safari/small/14th_june_05.jpg

A participant from the crowd
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http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/night_safari/small/14th_june_09.jpg

Shadow, the beautiful Cougar
http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/night_safari/small/14th_june_11.jpg

Keep a look out for the Malayan Tapir, along the tram route
http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/night_safari/small/30th_june_04.jpg

The elusive armoured Indian rhino
http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/night_safari/small/30th_june_02.jpg

A pair of shy slow loris
http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/night_safari/small/30th_june_03.jpg

A camouflaged clouded leopard
http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/night_safari/small/30th_june_01.jpg

Homo sapiens
http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/night_safari/small/14th_june_12.jpg

A serval demonstrating its impressive leaping ability
http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/night_safari/small/14th_june_10.jpg

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/night_safari/small/14th_june_01.jpg

very nice. We will have it also in Chiang Mai.

Hey that's a great zoo! It's landscaped so that there's often no visible border between the visitors and the animals.

As far as I remember it was very green, like walking or in a real jungle sometimes.

Yeah...anyway raffi didnt seem to present it very clearly...the Singapore Zoological Gardens and the Night Safari are two seperate parks located right beside each other! :D

They just introduced an animal show for the night safari too, so thats another reason to go for a visit. Anyway, It costs quite alot for the night safari, and till now, I have never set foot into it yet.

Neither have I, and I always thought they were the same thing!:bash:

Oh well, 2 attractions are better than 1:D

Then night safari is actually bigger then the existing zoo:

SINGAPORE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS

Size : 28 hectares

Animal Collection : 2,923 animals (412 species)

Opening hours : 8.30am to 6.00pm daily

Entrance Fees (Admission Only) :
S$12.10 Adult [effective 1 January 2003]
S$ 5.05 Child (3 to 12 years old) [effective 1 January 2003]
For payment by NETS or Cashcard only [effective 1 April 2003]
S$10.90 Adult
S$4.55 Child (3 to 12 years old)

Tram Ride :
The tram ride covers 2.2km with three stopovers.
Charges :
S$2.50 - Adult
S$1.50 - Child (3 to 12 years old)

NIGHT SAFARI

Area: 40 hectares, which is one and a half times the size of the day Zoo. Adjacent to the day Zoo and has its own separate entrance.

Configuration: Divided into East and West Loops. Features eight geographical zones.

Animal Collection: 1,000 animals (142 species).

Opening Hours: Daily : 7:30pm - Midnight. Last Admission is at 11:00pm.

Admission Rates:
S$15.60 Adult
S$10.40 Child (3 to 12 years old)
For payment by NETS or Cashcard only
[effective 1st April 2003]
S$14.05 Adult
S$9.35 Child (3 to 12 years old)

Tram Ride:
The tram ride covers 3.2km and takes about 45 minutes to complete. With live commentary and one stopover at East Lodge.
Charges:
S$5.05 Adult
S$2.00 Child (3 to 12 years old)

http://www.zoo.com.sg/images/map/sing-island.jpg

Singapore Zoological Gardens:
http://www.zoo.com.sg/images/map/new-zoomap.jpg

Night Safari:
http://www.zoo.com.sg/images/map/safari-map.jpg

Get to the top at nature spot

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2003-12-09/P4B_1209.jpg

A 20M-HIGH, seven-storey observation tower has been built in the nature reserve near MacRitchie Reservoir. The $190,000 steel-and-wood Jelutong Tower, named after one of the tallest trees in the tropical rainforest, will give visitors a better view of the creatures and plants on tree branches and crowns.

Signs have been put up to help people identify the surrounding plant and animal life - as well as learn more about them.

Said the Central Catchment Nature Reserve's senior conservation officer Benjamin Lee: 'On the ground, you're craning your neck wondering what bird just flew past. But on the tower, you can see the birds flitting from tree to tree.'

Visitors can look forward to seeing native birds, such as the hill myna, the crimson sunbird and the long-tailed parakeet, as well as monkeys grooming one another. Different plants can be observed at different storeys. For example, from the fourth storey of the tower, visitors can get a closer look at ferns and orchids growing on tree trunks. The top floor offers a sweeping view of the forest and its many different trees, including the tower's namesake.

Built over one year by the National Parks Board, the tower can be reached only by a two-hour, 5.5km trek from the main entrance to a clearing near the western end of the reservoir.

wow! The last time I was there was because I HAD to be there. This sounds like a good idea. Sounds great for taking panos.:cool:

Wow! That's so interesting! I must go one day.:)

Originally posted by Cliff

Wow! That's so interesting! I must go one day.:) Yeah!! I must go! The problem is looking for companions! :D

Originally posted by huaiwei

BTW....we are talking about primary rainforests smack in the middle of a city arent we? We dont count forests sitting in pockets all over the pheriphery?

I think Singapore is the only city in the world with a primary rainforest SURROUNDED by urbanization..or is it?

http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/images/safari/banner-top.jpg

NIGHT SAFARI

Area: 40 hectares, which is one and a half times the size of the day Zoo. Adjacent to the day Zoo and has its own separate entrance.

Configuration: Divided into East and West Loops. Features eight geographical zones.

Animal Collection: 1,000 animals (142 species).

Opening Hours: Daily : 7:30pm - Midnight. Last Admission is at 11:00pm.

Admission Rates:
S$15.60 Adult
S$10.40 Child (3 to 12 years old)
For payment by NETS or Cashcard only
[effective 1st April 2003]
S$14.05 Adult
S$9.35 Child (3 to 12 years old)

Tram Ride:
The tram ride covers 3.2km and takes about 45 minutes to complete. With live commentary and one stopover at East Lodge.
Charges:
S$5.05 Adult
S$2.00 Child (3 to 12 years old)

http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/images/safari/about-us/gen-info.jpg

The Night Safari is the world's first wildlife park built to be viewed at night. It is not an ordinary zoo simply illuminated by night or a modern version of nocturnal houses found in many zoos.
Set in 40 hectares of dense secondary forest, the Night Safari offers guests the unique experience of exploring wildlife in a tropical jungle at night. Through the use of subtle lighting technique, guests are able to view over 1000 nocturnal animals of 100 species in vast naturalistic habitats.

The birth of the Night Safari is a result of a combination of factors. The overwhelming response to night tours conducted at the Zoo in the late 1980s indicated a demand for wholesome night entertainment. Displaying tropical animals at night seemed ideal since 90% of them are nocturnal and therefore most active after dusk. Singapore's predictable sunset at around 7.30pm and cool nights with little rainfall mean fewer operational problems for an outdoor night attraction.

The Night Safari took four years to plan and three to construct. It was officially opened on May 26 1994 by Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong.

http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/images/safari/about-us/design.jpg

The same 'open concept' used to design the day Zoo is applied at the Night Safari. Similarly, the technique of psychological restraint, in the form of wet and dry moats, is also employed here to contain the animals. Under the cover of the night, the moats can be very effectively camouflaged using netting and shade materials. The end result creates an illusion of animals roaming freely in wilderness.
Divided naturally into two loops by an inlet from the Seletar Reservoir, the Night Safari houses animals from eight geographical zones representing three continents - Asia, Africa and South America.

A 3.2-km tram ride takes visitors along the two loops, named East and West Loops. Throughout the ride, the landscape changes dramatically, from the rocky outcrops of the Himalayan Foothills, to the grassy plains of Equatorial Africa and ending with the awesome forests of South-east Asia.

A night out at the Night Safari will not be complete without exploring the dense jungle on foot. This can be done by means of treading any of the three walking trails, namely the Fishing Cat, Leopard and Forest Giants Trails.

http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/images/safari/about-us/natural.jpg

Sited in a secondary forest, the Night Safari is blessed with lush natural vegetation. The project team took great pains to work the vegetation into their plans and to preserve as much of it as possible. In all, only 12 per cent of the trees were felled to make way for the structures and facilities. In addition to the natural vegetation, some 20,000 plants, including 900 forest trees, were added to the Night Safari to create the desired `jungle effect'.

Habitat simulation is achieved through the use of plants, natural boulders, logs and other artificial landscaping materials. About 80 plant species were imported to lend a naturalistic touch to the habitats of non-native animals. For example, ebony and satinwood were imported from Sri Lanka and elephant grass from Nepal to make the greater one-horned rhino feel at home.

Glass-fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) and natural boulders have been used extensively to recreate the rocky escarpments of the Himalayan foothills. As with the day Zoo, GFRC is also employed to construct earth banks and caves.

http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/images/safari/about-us/lighting.jpg

Fine tuning the lighting at Night Safari was the greatest challenge faced by the Night Safari project team. Lighting it sufficiently so that the exhibits can be seen clearly for the enjoyment of our guests is crucial. Yet, too much lighting will rob the park of its soul - the ambience which is so uniquely Night Safari.

The final result has been extremely soft lighting, with some spot focusing and arena illumination, or light dappling where necessary. A combination of mercury and incandescent lights, mounted on tall poles, are used. The overall lighting is slightly stronger than natural moonlight, with a bluish cast achieved with the use of filters.

http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/images/safari/about-us/behaviour-enrich.jpg

Animals have emotions and feelings. In some respects, animals' basic physical and mental health needs are similar to our own. They include food, shelter, and in many cases, privacy for breeding as well as general peace and quiet for just doing 'their own thing'.
In the wild, much of the animal's mental health has to do with eating, and being eaten. In the comfortable environment of a zoo, devoid of predators and competitive pressures, animals get bored easily. And boredom is zoo animals' greatest enemy, affecting both their physical and mental health.

Constant stimulation is vital to keep zoo animals' reflexes well honed. Behavioural enrichment tries to recall the natural stresses of the wild and so bring out the zoo animals' natural instincts and reflexes. These techniques aim to stimulate all the five senses of animals, mostly through the use of food and feeding styles.

At the Singapore Zoo, the orang utans and Malayan sunbears have to 'work' hard for honey or condensed milk by fiddling with hanging feeders from which the goodies are dispensed. The chimpanzees spend hours probing with grass blades for termites in a perforated plastic container. To get to the tasty macadamia nuts, the orang utans and chimpanzees have to crack the hard shells, which requires the skillful use of tools such as stones.

Instead of throwing neatly chopped chunks of meat to the big cats, the keepers hang a large hunk of meat up high, forcing them to leap for it and grasp it with their massive paws, much as it would when hunting in the wild. Another way to engage the big cats is to give them chunks of meat in a gunny sack packed with hay and smeared with blood. The cats have to fight each other to get the bag and to tear it apart before getting their reward.

Live fish are given to our polar bears and fishing cats to create an opportunity for them to go 'fishing', as they would do in the wild.

Another enrichment technique is to suddenly change the features of an animal's enclosure. This adds zest to the animal's life as it tries to figure out what happened, and to reclaim the enclosure as its territory.

In many species, especially the mammals, play is serious business. It is vital to ensure a good state of mental health in the animals. 'Toys' given can be in the form of a traffic cone for the polar bears, a tree root-ball for the elephants and a rattan basket for the orang utans. Zoo animals relish the opportunity to get out of their enclosures for a change and our animal shows at both the day Zoo and Night Safari provide one such opportunity.

An essential element in the spice of life for most wild animals is competition with other species. This is the thinking that lies behind the Singapore Zoo's preference for mixed exhibits, displaying more than one species together. The resulting heightened alertness leads to livelier behaviour and may even trigger breeding activity. Hence, at the Zoo the display of otters alongside the water monitor lizards, the white rhinoceroses alongside the gemsbok, eland, impala and springbok. And at the Night Safari, our Indian gharials are exhibited with the Malayan flying fox and several of birds, and the Greater one-horned rhino with the axis deer.

http://www.nightsafari.com.sg/images/safari/map/safari-map.jpg

More daytime pics from the Singapore Zoo.

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/zoo/small/25th_may_07.jpg

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/zoo/small/25th_may_06.jpg

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/zoo/small/7th_june_03.jpg

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/zoo/small/30th_june_02.jpg

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/zoo/small/30th_june_04.jpg

http://www.singaporecanlah.com/singapore_today/zoo/small/30th_june_05.jpg

What did you do to my title, raffi? Why the exclamation? ;)

Anyway, I dont believe you took those photos?

Originally posted by huaiwei

What did you do to my title, raffi? Why the exclamation? ;)

Anyway, I dont believe you took those photos?

I gave the title a makeover, and yes I took the pics.

























j/k! :runaway:

I really did a double take!! :bash: :D

Anywa, that orang ghutan one should be glamourised..its the monkey year this year anyway. :colgate:

That Orang Utan is Ah Meng, a celebrity of Singapore;)

Originally posted by RafflesCity

That Orang Utan is Ah Meng, a celebrity of Singapore;) Ops...and I realised I forgot its "Orang Utan" and not "Orang somethingelse"! :D

Originally posted by huaiwei

Ops...and I realised I forgot its "Orang Utan" and not "Orang somethingelse"! :D

Oh well I see some Orang Puteh in the pic too:colgate:

Sentosa teams up with wildlife expert to develop new S$15m attraction – World’s first dining-with-wildlife lifestyle attraction

http://www.sentosa.com.sg/aboutus/images/rimba_pix01.gif

http://www.sentosa.com.sg/aboutus/images/rimba_pix02.gif

The vibrant lushness of this magical, mysterious oasis greets you.

By day, the resonating calls of gibbons from the treetops
and the echoing bird song are a prelude to epicurean pleasures.

By night, the rhythmic trills of cicadas
and the flaming torch-lined pathways beckon to you.

Enticing aromas rise from fiery spits to whet your appetite.

The awesome lion and sleek cheetah
- just two of our five hundred exotic animals -
invite you to dine with them, every day of the week.

Welcome to RIMBA Sentosa.

Singapore’s tourism and lifestyle scene will take on a new major player as Sentosa teams up with wildlife expert Bernard Harrison to set up what is believed to be the first of its kind permanent dining-with-wildlife attraction in the world. RIMBA Sentosa creatively marries Bernard Harrison’s expertise in wildlife management with Sentosa’s natural heritage and comprehensive tourism infrastructure. It is a collaboration that brings about synergies in creating local tourism’s latest premium offering.

RIMBA Sentosa nestles on the edge of Sentosa island’s green belt. When it opens in mid 2004, it will be a key element in the island’s overall redevelopment projects rolling out under its 10-year, $7-billion master plan. The plan to rejuvenate Sentosa is targeted at developing more vibrant and memorable guest experiences on the island – a vision that is strongly shared by RIMBA Sentosa. "With its lush natural heritage and visionary long-term plans, Sentosa is the perfect venue for the world’s first RIMBA," said Bernard Harrison, CEO of RIMBA.

Commented Sentosa’s CEO Darrell Metzger, "Sentosa is currently undergoing a major transition that promises to have something for everybody: a sun-sea-sand experience with lots of activities and refreshment outlets on the beach; a high-energy activity zone which will soon include a new theme park; and of course the nature zone within which RIMBA Sentosa is located. We believe this will lead the new wave of innovative and interesting visitor offerings coming to the island."

Innovative Concept, Unique Guest Experience

The overall natural theme of RIMBA, which means ‘deep forest’ in Malay, embodies Bernard Harrison’s personal dream of educating guests about the fragility of the rainforest and the array of wildlife that it sustains – something he has passionately shared and practiced for the last 30 years. Within RIMBA’s lush four-hectare landscape which will feature huge ferns, aromatic spice bushes and more than 2,000 trees, guests can experience the sights, sounds and smells of the rainforest as they dine alongside exotic creatures every day of the week.

This S$15-million attraction will comprise of an air-conditioned restaurant, an alfresco casual dining area, three private function rooms, an event hall and garden lawn for private parties, as well as a lakeside bar, totaling its sitting capacity to just over 1,000 guests. The restaurant and function areas are designed such that most guests will be able to view RIMBA’s wildlife in comfort and security as they dine. Young children can also look forward to RIMBA’s fun interactive playground. At the heart of the attraction sits a large 14-metre-tall thatched roof that houses RIMBA’s signature-dining venue.

RIMBA’s restaurant will feature special barbecued meats and seafood recipes from around the world, marinated in different styles and done to perfection according to guest preferences. The different styles of marination featured in the world barbecue menu are also a reflection of how meat is prepared in different parts of the world. Vegetarian barbecued dishes will also be made available for non-meat eaters. Guests can also choose from a wide selection of pasta, noodles and a salad bar.

RIMBA Sentosa will also have a 650-square-metre specialty retail outlet that is styled like a Asian home – complete with living / dining rooms, kitchen, bedroom and veranda – featuring merchandise carefully displayed and themed to reflect the rustic setting of RIMBA and the character of the rainforest.

"RIMBA Sentosa is a three in one lifestyle hub. A lifestyle surrounding wildlife and nature, where guests can shop, eat and encounter wildlife.

"It is about natural and beautiful settings. A convenient jungle retreat where people can uproot themselves from city life and plant themselves in the midst of nature to soak up food for the soul, even if it is for an hour or two," said Mr Harrison. "It also showcases the fragility of the forest and how we can and should be mindful of the environment when going about our everyday lives," Mr Harrison said.

"RIMBA Sentosa will create something that has never been done before – where shopping and dining happens in the forest and because of its overall sensitivities to nature and the environment, it will hopefully become something which Singapore can be proud of," he added.

This new attraction, which will employ about 90 staff, will be a sanctuary for 500 animals from all over the world, including lions, cheetahs, jaguars, tamarins, gibbons, storks, ibises, swans, among many others. While some of these animals will be on loan, others are breeding surpluses purchased from other wildlife parks. No animal at RIMBA will be caught from the wild. Most of these animals will be displayed from behind a glass barrier – particularly in the restaurants, enabling guests to dine ‘beside’ them. Some animals, such as primates, would be housed on islands with surrounding lakes while others would be free ranging. It is RIMBA’s policy that none of the animals will be displayed in cages.

A core mission of RIMBA Sentosa is to promote wildlife conservation, where part of the attraction’s proceeds will be donated to a fund used to support local and regional conservation projects. Guests will also be given a choice as to which specific conservation projects they would like to be a part of. "It is about empowering the individual – giving them the real opportunity to make a decision, knowing that it will have an immediate and direct impact on the environment and the animals that they want to save," Mr Harrison said.

Situated just after the Sentosa Visitor Arrival Centre, RIMBA Sentosa is approximately 200 metres beyond the Causeway Bridge. It sits at the site of the old Blakang Mati Primary School that moved out in the early 1970s and was most recently occupied by the Maritime Museum, which closed in April 2002. "We are constantly renewing ourselves and found that the site of the old Maritime Museum seemed perfect for RIMBA Sentosa, in terms of space and character of the area. This adaptive use of land is necessary to keep the island vibrant," Darrell Metzger added.

It is envisaged that RIMBA Sentosa will become a popular venue for corporate dinners, wedding functions and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) groups. There are currently very few venues that can accommodate more than 1,000 guests in such a unique setting. Construction of RIMBA Sentosa will commence in September 2003. It is scheduled to open its doors to the public mid 2004.

I tot that is something which the zoo would have done a better job with?

I think the zoo specialises more in having a breakfast with an orang utan, while this one is more a proper dining experience with a wider range of animals. It does sound luscious though:cool:

Originally posted by RafflesCity

I think the zoo specialises more in having a breakfast with an orang utan, while this one is more a proper dining experience with a wider range of animals. It does sound luscious though:cool: The night safari can offer the same thing, and I am sure their range of animals is unrivaled? I really dislike it when our attractions end up copying and carniballising each other when one runs out of ideas, and spoil the show or everyone! :bash: