Zoos & Aquariums Singapore plans wild nature zone
Zoos and aquariums work hard to protect local wildlife ELLIOT ZIRULNIK
A
ZA-accredited zoos and
aquariums are often lauded
for their international conservation efforts, but equally important is the work that’s being done to protect the wildlife in our own backyards. To prevent bird injury and death
from collisions with glass, many AZA- accredited institutions apply paint or tape to windows and other reflective surfaces. This disrupts the reflections or transparency that birds sometimes mistake for open space. Virginia Zoo turned the process into a creative opportunity, inviting community members to place animal-themed “tape art” on the glass around its tiger and orangutan exhibits. The zoo is working with the American Bird Conservatory and a university to look at the efficacy of bird tape on large windows. Off-campus space owned by the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden was reclaimed as wetland. Over time, species began making their homes in this new habitat after they’d been absent from the region for years. Smithsonian’s National Zoo and
Conservation Biology Institute installed feeders to attract migratory birds, and the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens draws hundreds of wild Mexican free-tailed bats nightly with its bat boxes. Sometimes, highlighting a pre-
existing natural area is all that’s required. In 2012, the Detroit Zoo constructed a boardwalk through a marsh, providing visitors the opportunity to view the wild herons, ducks, turtles and fish that live there. While these investments help to
protect native wildlife, guests also enjoy observing these species, creating serious potential for education programmes and increased public engagement with nature.
Elliot Zirulnik, communications intern, AZA
20
Temasek Holdings, in partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board, is to reinvent the country’s Mandai precinct to turn the area into an integrated wildlife and nature heritage precinct. Singapore’s Ministry of
Trade said the partnership will help realise the government’s vision for Mandai – which is home to Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari – to become a world-class nature attraction. The proposal will see
the existing Mandai area redeveloped, building on existing attractions to create a leading nature destination. Once complete, the 120-hectare (297- acre) area will be full of green spaces with wildlife in its natural habitat, in addition to new waterfront
The proposal will see the existing Mandai area redeveloped and expanded
trails, treetop walkways and public spaces. Speaking to Attractions
Management, a spokes- person for Temasek said: “Phase one, which will involve the relocation of the Jurong Bird Park, some reforestation and opening of some public spaces, is roughly a S$1bn
[$800m, £526m, €688m] project. Subject to the necessary environmental and development approvals, we hope phase one will open in 2020; the project is a decade-long one, and some elements – especially reforestation – will take much longer to fully effect.” Details:
http://lei.sr?a=A6V7r_A
Foster + Partners design Taiwan aquarium
Award-winning British architecture firm Foster + Partners has revealed its designs for a $4.8m (£3.1m, €4.1m) aquarium to be built at the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology (NMMST) in Keelung City, Taiwan. Scheduled to open in
2018, Foster + Partners’ plans for what will be the country’s largest aquarium employs titanium and green designs to create a modern light-filled environment, reminiscent of the ocean shallows. Conceived as a social
hub for the community, the attraction’s focal point will be a new public plaza which will feature a shop, café and a restaurant. Work on the 1.4 hectare
(3.5 acre) development, which will house more than 300 species of
The aquarium – designed by Foster + Partners – will open in 2018
marine creatures, is now underway following a recent groundbreaking ceremony. “This makes the
facility an attraction in its own right as it differs considerably from what is on offer at the National Museum of Biology and Aquarium in southern Taiwan’s Pingtung County,” said deputy minister of education Lucia Lin at the
Read Attractions Management online
attractionsmanagement.com/digital
groundbreaking ceremony, adding that the aquarium will showcase the marine biodiversity of northern and eastern Taiwan. Keelung City mayor Lin
Yu-chang added that the project is a major under- taking that is expected to help transform the northern metropolis into a national tourist destination. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=e3v4M_A
AM 1 2015 ©Cybertrek 2015
PHOTO: © TEMASEK HOLDINGS
PHOTO: © FOSTER + PARTNERS
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