Step into the Land of Giants this holiday season

08 Nov 2017

Singapore, 8 November 2017 — Invertebrates make up 95 per cent of all animal species in the world, and there are probably millions of them invisible to the naked eye living in each home—yet they are rarely noticed.


Singapore Zoo is casting the spotlight on these creatures that have no backbones this year-end holiday season with over 60 super-sized invertebrate installations. Ants magnified a million times have forged a relentless trail in Singapore Zoo, and jumping on the bug bandwagon are larger-than-life jungle nymphs, an orchid mantis and a net-casting spider among others.

Image 1: Rizal Bakar, Senior Keeper of Invertebrates, introduces a young friend from Kinderland to a jungle nymph while its supersized 3D cousin looms behind. This holiday season, Singapore Zoo and River Safari promise some super-sized fun. At Singapore Zoo, larger-than-life invertebrates await at the Land of Giants Trail. Uncover intriguing facts about these fascinating creatures as you marvel at supersized 3D installations, and meet the real life little heroes during keeper interaction sessions at the Zoo.

CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

Image 2: Following that, head to River Safari (right) and discover majestic river
giants like the giant freshwater stingray during special feeding
sessions. Activities happen every weekend between 18 Nov – 31 Dec 2017,
and on Christmas.

CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

While they may be small and nondescript, invertebrates have a giant impact on ecosystems, and most would collapse without them. Their abundance makes them good meals for other animals, they are pollinators of plants, recyclers of organic materials back into the earth, and many contribute as predators that control pest populations. By showcasing their amazing adaptations in a macro way, this seasonal outdoor exhibit, coupled with real life encounters of the pint-sized creatures, aims to bring across the essential roles that invertebrates play in the ecosystem.
Ms May Lok, Director of Education, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said, “Invertebrates are really the giants of the ecosystem—they have amazing adaptations for communication, defence and reproduction, which have enabled them to be incredible survivors. We hope that both the larger-than-life installations and interaction sessions with the little beasts will spark greater interest in the fascinating miniature world of invertebrates, and inspire conservation efforts aimed at these often-overlooked creatures.”
 

Image 3: Have a real encounter with an orchid mantis at Singapore Zoo’s Fragile Forest Discovery Outpost this upcoming holiday season. Keepers are waiting to introduce guests to a plethora of invertebrates, including the orchid mantis, Madagascan hissing cockroach and jungle nymph. Activities happen every weekend from 18 Nov – 31 Dec 2017, and on Christmas.

CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE



Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which manages four wildlife parks, supports several local invertebrate projects focusing on animals such as mangrove horseshoe crabs, the endemic Singapore freshwater crabs and tropical butterflies such as the harlequin butterfly. Periodic invertebrate surveys within its parks have also become a mainstay, to further the understanding of Singapore fauna, conduct wildlife conservation onsite and increase biodiversity awareness locally. The park’s living collection boasts over 40 invertebrate species, comprising a spectrum of mantises, beetles, stick insects, spiders, scorpions, butterflies and moths.

Giant fever also spills over to River Safari, which celebrates the majestic river-dwelling giants in its collection. Some of the species in focus are the giant freshwater stingray, giant Chinese salamander and even the world’s largest rodent—the capybara—a semi-aquatic South American mammal which dwells in habitats close to water bodies.

Set off on an adventure into the Land of Giants, and get to know the amazing abilities of insects at Singapore Zoo and majestic river giants at River Safari, every weekend from 18 November to 31 December, and on Christmas.

Between 18 Nov – 31 Dec 2017, local residents enjoy higher savings with the one day pass to two parks combo, with Singapore Zoo and River Safari tickets at $40.00 per adult and $28.00 per child (3-12 years old) (Usual price $63.00 per adult and $42.00 per child 3-12 years old, based on single park admission). The local residents’ exclusive admission combo is available online and onsite. Terms and conditions apply.

Image 4 : Vera Yang, Senior Education Executive, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, talks about thorn bugs to children from Kinderland at Singapore Zoo’s Land of Giants trail. This holiday season, Singapore Zoo and River Safari promise some super-sized fun. Uncover intriguing facts about these fascinating creatures as you marvel at supersized 3D installations, and meet the real life little heroes during keeper interaction sessions at the Zoo. Activities happen every weekend from 18 Nov – 31 Dec 2017, and on Christmas.

CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

Image 5: Zeneth Begum, Head Keeper of Invertebrates, Wildlife Reserves Singapore, points out a supersized 3D model of an orchid mantis to children from Kinderland. Have a real encounter with an orchid mantis at Singapore Zoo this upcoming holiday season. Keepers are waiting to introduce guests to a plethora of invertebrates, including the orchid mantis, Madagascan hissing cockroach and jungle nymph. Activities happen every weekend from every weekend from 18 Nov – 31 Dec 2017, and on Christmas.

CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

Image 6: The dung beetle and lime butterfly mascots are waiting to meet you at Land of Giants at Singapore Zoo and River Safari this upcoming holiday season. Uncover intriguing facts about these fascinating creatures as you marvel at supersized 3D installations, and meet the real life little heroes during keeper interaction sessions at the Zoo. Activities happen every weekend from 18 Nov – 31 Dec 2017, and on Christmas.

CREDITS: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

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