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Singapore, 26 December 2006 - Singapore Zoo's beloved
polar bear Inuka celebrated his 16th birthday today.
At the celebration, a special polar bear ice carving as
well as a birthday cake made of ice and frozen fruits were
presented to Inuka. Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Foundation,
a registered charity and an Institution of Public Character
(IPC) has adopted Inuka for the year 2007. The polar bear
was previously adopted by SPH for the last 16 years.
Representatives from SPH Foundation, as well as SPH Wildlife
Buddies, SPH Conservation Ambassadors and the winners of
the SPH Foundation Polar Bear conservation contest were
present to wish Inuka "Happy Birthday".
The birthday event marked the culmination of a series of
conservation and educational activities the Zoo organised
to raise awareness of the polar bear conservation effort
this December holidays.
Apart from these educational activities, Singapore Zoo
has also collaborated with National Geographic WILD to initiate
an urgent conservation effort to save the Arctic. The public
is invited to pledge their support for the preservation
of polar bears and other Arctic animals.
From 6 December 2006 to 28 February 2007, visitors to the
Singapore Zoo can also learn more about polar bears and
the effects of global warming on the Arctic from special
educational displays and plasma screens set up by the National
Geographic WILD.
Ms Fanny Lai, Executive Director of Singapore Zoo and Night
Safari, said, "Recent scientific studies indicate a
quantitative correlation between earlier sea ice melt and
lowered polar bear survival in several areas. This confirmed
that the bear population is declining. Also, pertinent studies
have reported that the loss of sea ice due to global warming
appears to be driving declines in body size and survival
rate of polar bear cubs; considering that the bears use
the sea ice as a platform for hunting and depend on it entirely
for survival. "
"Nearly 20 percent of the Arctic sea ice has been
lost in the last 20 years. We need to take active steps
to lead environmentally sustainable lifestyles everyday.
So this Christmas, not all gifts need wrapping. Give a gift
that can be experienced. Give a gift of life. Save the earth.
Save the polar bears."
"Thus, we are grateful to SPH Foundation and to National
Geographic WILD for their support towards raising awareness
for polar bear conservation," added Ms Lai.
Ms Ginney Lim, General Manager of SPH Foundation, said,
"We are pleased to continue with the adoption of Inuka.
Through the polar bears, many of us have learnt much about
Arctic animals. The SPH Foundation will continue to work
with the Singapore Zoo to devise meaningful programmes to
inculcate community responsibility and wildlife conservation,
which is one of the core objectives of the Foundation,"
Mr Basil Chua, Marketing Director of National Geographic
Channel Asia (Singapore), said, "Singapore Zoo and
National Geographic WILD share a common vision of promoting
wildlife conservation. Unless we take action, wildlife will
be something that we can only experience on television and
in the zoo. Making a pledge to save the polar bears is the
first step towards making people aware of the world around
us and the difference we can make to preserve it."
With Inuka's 29-year-old mother Sheba now past the average
25-year lifespan for polar bears, the Zoo has plans, following
her demise, to send Inuka to another zoological institution
where he can contribute to the global captive breeding effort.
In line with its Rainforest Zoo positioning, Singapore Zoo
will be focusing more on species from the tropical rainforest
and does not intend to bring in any more Arctic animals.
Due to pollution and a faster than average rate of climatic
change in the Arctic, there has been a revision in the threatened
status of the wild population of polar bears and the species
has recently been reclassified as vulnerable.
SPH & SPH Foundation have been contributors to the
Wildlife Conservation Singapore Fund since 1990. The Wildlife
Conservation Singapore Fund was established by the Singapore
Zoological Gardens and is an Institution of Public Character
(IPC) and a registered charity. It funds research, conservation
and education programs as well as the welfare and feeding
of only endangered/threatened animals in Singapore Zoo and
Night Safari.
About Singapore Zoo
Set in a rainforest environment, Singapore Zoo's world famous
"Open Concept" offers the opportunity to experience
and be inspired by the wonders of nature. Home to over 3,000
specimens from 290 species, 21% of which are threatened,
the Zoo has attained a strong reputation internationally
for its conservation initiatives and breeding programmes.
To better meet the healthcare needs of its animals and working
towards its aspiration to become a leading global centre
of excellence for veterinary healthcare and research, a
purpose-built Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre was
set up in March, 2006. In 2005, 1.3 million visitors enjoyed
the experiential learning experience at the 28-hectares
award-winning Zoo. Singapore Zoo is part of Wildlife Reserves
Singapore.
About the Singapore Press Holdings Foundation
The Singapore Press Holdings Foundation, a registered charity
and an IPC, was first set up as the Press Foundation of
Singapore in January 2003 to help build a lifelong learning
community that embraces language enrichment, creativity,
diversity, healthy living and sports. The seed contribution
of $20 million to the Foundation came from media group Singapore
Press Holdings Ltd. It was renamed Singapore Press Holdings
Foundation in May 2005. For more information, please visit
the Foundation's website at www.sphfoundation.org.sg.
About National Geographic WILD
Experience the best, most intimate encounters with wildlife
ever seen on television. Backed by its unparallel reputation
and blue-chip programming, National Geographic WILD brings
viewers documentaries entirely focused on the animal kingdom
and the worlds they inhabit. From the most remote environments,
to the forbidding depths of our oceans, to the protected
parks in our backyards, National Geographic WILD uses spectacular
cinematography and spellbinding storytelling to take viewers
on unforgettable journeys into the wild world. National
Geographic WILD is part of National Geographic Channels
International (NGCI). For more information, please visit
http://www.ngwild.com.
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