Singapore Zoo, Singapore (must see)

The Singapore Zoo, previously known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens and commonly referred to as the Mandai Zoo locally, spans an area of 28 hectares (equivalent to 69 acres). It is situated alongside the Upper Seletar Reservoir within Singapore's densely forested central catchment region. The zoo was constructed with a government grant of 9 million Singapore dollars and was inaugurated on June 27, 1973. It is home to approximately 315 different animal species, with around 16% of them classified as endangered. Annually, the zoo attracts roughly 1.7 million visitors.

Right from its inception, the Singapore Zoo adopted a contemporary approach of exhibiting animals in naturalistic and 'open' habitats, utilizing concealed barriers, moats, and glass partitions to separate animals from visitors. Notably, it hosts the world's largest population of captive orangutans. In 1977, primatologist Dr. Francine Neago conducted a unique study by living within a cage alongside eighteen orangutans for six months to observe their behavior and communication.

The animals at the zoo reside in spacious, landscaped enclosures, which are strategically separated from visitors by dry and wet moats. These moats are cleverly concealed with vegetation or placed below the line of sight. Dangerous animals that are skilled climbers are accommodated in landscaped enclosures with glass fronts.

The zoo has remained within its original 28-hectare area, but an additional 40 hectares of secondary forest were later developed into the Night Safari attraction. The remaining undeveloped land has been maintained as wooded areas. This, along with the presence of Upper Seletar Reservoir, imparts a sense of natural, unobstructed space to the zoo. Moreover, the zoo provides various transportation options for visitors within its premises, including trams, boats, and club cars. Additionally, strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs are available for rent.

Why You Should Visit:
This is the best zoo in Southeast Asia, and probably the best anywhere for Southeast Asian fauna.
You'll find that the zoo does have species that hail from the far corners of the planet, such as polar bears, however.

Tip:
Check out feeding times in advance and plan ahead, as it's the best opportunity to see some animals up close.
You can also hand-feed some exotic animals for a small fee, including giraffes and rhinos.
Consider buying tickets online to skip the queue as well as bringing your own food and drinks.