All creatures great and small, Singapore’s wildlife parks birthed 900 newborns in all.
Life still finds a way to thrive despite the pandemic. In 2021, the
Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, and River Wonders saw the
birth of more than 900 baby animals encompassing 160 different species.
Among
these babies, 44 species are listed under the International Union for
the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
During Le Le’s viewing window, visitors can cheer the cub on as he learns to walk, plays with toys or takes a snooze. Photo Credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
Perhaps the most famous of these little miracles is Le Le,
Singapore’s first giant panda cub born on 14 August 2021. Since 30
December 2021, animal lovers have flocked to River Wonders in hopes of
catching Le Le playing in his new glass nursery.
Because
there are only two viewing windows scheduled each day at 10.30am and
3.30pm, each ranging between 20 to 30 minutes, visitors report long
queues but yet describe the experience of meeting Le Le as a memorable
and enjoyable one.
Each of these puppies sport a unique pattern on their bodies. Photo Credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
After a 16-year dry spell, Singapore Zoo’s African Painted Dogs
welcomed four pups to the pack. Meanwhile on the other side of the zoo,
two zebra foals have joined the Grevy’s zebra herd, and visitors can
catch them munching on hay next to their mothers.
On the amphibian and reptilian front, the team at Singapore Zoo
successfully hatched close to 70 golden mantellas; a pair of Sakishima
grass lizards; Southeast Asia box turtles, and a false gharial.
The baby slow loris was born on Christmas Day 2021. Photo Credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
In an off-exhibit area at Night Safari, a baby and mummy Sunda slow loris duo enjoy bonding time away from prying eyes.
Later this year, visitors can look forward to spotting two masked
palm civet pups frolicking alongside them on the walking trails in Night
Safari. For now, these nocturnal animals are currently secluded in a
private enclosure with their mother.
The stork delivered a trio of straw-headed bulbuls along with another trio of blue-eyed cockatoos. Photo Credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
Jurong Bird Park received the pleasure of hatching three critically
endangered straw-headed bulbuls, famed for their melodic voices; its
first Negros bleeding-heart dove, and a trio of blue-eyed cockatoos.