Mandai Wildlife Group Welcomes Nearly 1,000 Newborns in 2024

It’s been a baby boom year at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, where Bird Paradise, Night Safari, River Wonders, and Singapore Zoo collectively celebrated the arrival of 998 newborns from 143 species in 2024. This remarkable milestone surpasses the previous year’s record, with 34 species listed as threatened under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List, including critically endangered species like the woylie and vulnerable ones like the giant anteater and West Indian manatee.

Milestones in Conservation Breeding

Of the 143 species successfully bred, 23 are part of internationally managed breeding programs such as the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria’s (EAZA) Ex-situ Programme (EEP). These initiatives aim to maintain genetically healthy populations in human care while supporting wild conservation efforts. Mandai Wildlife Group actively participates in over 190 such programs, with some of its team members leading global species management efforts.

Singapore Zoo: A Year of Heartwarming Arrivals

The Singapore Zoo welcomed a lively mix of new arrivals, including five slender-tailed meerkat pups, marking the species’ first births since 2019. Visitors can also meet Hope, a Linne’s two-toed sloth, and Putri, a proboscis monkey often seen clinging to her mother or playing with her brother Bayu.

Rare species like Goeldi’s monkeys, ring-tailed lemurs, and emperor tamarins also had successful births, boosting conservation efforts under the EEP. Among reptiles and amphibians, the endangered golden mantella achieved a breakthrough with 31 hatchlings, the highest number in three years, thanks to innovative care techniques like assisted hatching.

Night Safari: Fawns, Joeys, and More

Night Safari experienced a season of abundance with the arrival of Malayan sambar deer, barasinghas, and a male hog deer, all thriving in the free-ranging habitats along the Safari Tram Adventure route. Another standout addition was three Turkmenian markhor kids, the first offspring of the species in five years.

Keepers also celebrated the birth of a male woylie joey, a critically endangered species, who has begun exploring his habitat with playful curiosity.

River Wonders: Playful Pups and Milestone Breeding Successes

At River Wonders, highlights included a giant anteater pup, Solana, and a West Indian manatee calf, both part of the EEP. Solana has transitioned to solid foods but still enjoys riding on her mother’s back, while the manatee calf has formed a bond with a young female born in 2023.

The reserve also celebrated a first-year breeding success for the endangered Lake Titicaca frog and welcomed 80 new members to the thriving blue discus school.

Bird Paradise: Hatchlings in High Conservation Value Species

Bird Paradise had a busy year, celebrating first-time hatchings of species like the blue-winged leafbird, Madagascar teal, and Meller’s duck. Eggs of high-conservation-value species like the golden parakeet and yellow-mantled chattering lory were safely incubated and hand-raised to ensure their survival.

Notably, Bird Paradise also welcomed its first-ever penguin hatchlings—three gentoo penguin chicks with distinct personalities. These adorable additions have begun exploring their habitat, closely followed by their attentive parents.

A Bright Future for Wildlife Conservation

Mandai Wildlife Group’s record-breaking year underscores its commitment to wildlife conservation, both locally and globally. With innovative breeding techniques and international collaborations, the group continues to play a vital role in protecting and sustaining endangered species, bringing hope for future generations to enjoy the wonders of wildlife.

Celebrate these precious new lives and discover the beauty of conservation efforts at Mandai Wildlife Reserve today.