Singapore, May 25 2007 – In June, families can look forward to a new educational and entertaining animal show at Singapore Zoo. Called Splash Safari, the stars of the show are the jackass penguins, Californian sea lions, Caribbean manatees and the pelicans.

Splash Safari show opens on 26 May
The Splash Safari, which will be presented at Splash Amphitheatre (previously known as the Sea lion and Penguin exhibit), is on daily from 26 May 2007 at 11am, 2.30pm and 5pm. The audience can expect to receive nuggets of interesting information on the animals as well as witness the spectacular display behaviours from these marine creatures.

The audience also now enjoys a larger viewing stand that can seat about 200 people (four times the previous seating capacity of 50). There is also a bigger standing space for 25 as well as four wheelchair slots. Another new feature is the elevated timber flooring, which facilitates easier viewing of the marine mammals.

Ms Fanny Lai, Executive Director of Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, said, ”The new educational show is in line with our goal to raise awareness for wildlife conservation, particularly in coastal conservation. We hope visitors can learn more about the traits of marine animals and gain a deeper understanding of the conservation issues involved.

“In addition, the Splash Amphitheatre can now further facilitate viewing of the animals through an elevated flooring and expanded the seating capacity in view of growing popularity of our animal shows.”

Besides the improved audience seating area, the inner yard area for the sea lions also underwent an upgrade with a new pool. A log cladded penguin house, which simulates log cabins where people watch wild penguins, has also been introduced.

The other educational shows at Singapore Zoo are the “Wonders of the Wild Show” at the Shaw Amphitheatre, “Animal Friends Show” at Children’s World Animal Land and “Elephants at Work and Play” at Elephants of Asia exhibit.

Singapore Zoo collaborates with National Geographic WILD
The Singapore Zoo has also collaborated with National Geographic WILD to further highlight the plight of sea lions losing their habitats to the widespread marine pollution occurring throughout the world. The health of coastal animals such as sea lions is an indication of the ocean's well being. This education campaign hopes to raise the awareness of how marine pollution and over-fishing can affect the ocean's health.

In raising awareness of the issue at hand, National Geographic WILD will be airing a series, Save the Ocean Special, starting 16 June 2007. Additionally, several eight-foot panels, posters and brochures will be displayed at the entrance with messages to save the ocean. National Geographic WILD clips will also be shown at the exhibition panels at the Singapore Zoo entrance and at Splash Amphitheatre.

Mr Basil Chua, Marketing Director of National Geographic Channel Asia (Singapore) said, “Our plant’s well-being continues to be threatened by human activities that destroy the balance of nature. Besides global warming, marine pollution and over-fishing are some of the biggest threats that we are faced with today. Through our partnership with the Singapore Zoo, we hope that our shared commitments in educating the public will continue to inspire Singapore Zoo visitors and National Geographic WILD viewers to care for our fragile earth.”

Added Ms Fanny Lai, “We hope that with the combination Splash Safari and National Geographic WILD’s documentary series, visitors can empathise with the plight of the sea lions and help to spread the message about the importance of conservation actions.”

Other splashing activities at the Singapore Zoo this school holidays
In conjunction with the new Splash Safari, the Singapore Zoo will also be organising a sea of activities. These include:

Manatee Mania
Discover the dining habits of these gentle sea mammals during their special token feeding sessions. Also, find out why they are known as “sea cows”.
Venue: Splash Amphitheatre
Time: 2.00pm

Dancing in the Deep
Explore the mysterious ocean depths and encounter giant sea creatures like turtles, stingrays, eels and jellyfish. Be mesmerized by this spectacular puppet performance as the secret of the sea is unveiled.
Venue: Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre
Date: Every Sat & Sun, 26 May to 24 June
Time: 12 noon (26 & 27 May)
12.30pm (2 to 24 June)

Also, come up close with the gigantic stars for a photo opportunity at:
Venue: Rainforest Courtyard
Time: 11.30am (26 & 27 May)
12noon (2 to 24 June)
Magic SEAson
Meet the magic master as he performs astounding tricks!
Venue: Rainforest Courtyard
Date: Every Sat & Sun (26 May to 24 June)
Time: 1.30pm & 3.30pm

Surf & Turf Special
Enjoy our sumptuous Surf & Turf at $7.90 only (U.P $9.90), only at Jungle Flavours, Restaurants in the Wild.

Sea Creatures Conservation Contest
Answer five simple questions on our aquatic animals and stand a chance to win a 5D/4N trip for two to the Gold Coast with Marriot plus and air ticket voucher worth $1200. The contest forms are available at the Singapore Zoo entrance. The contest is sponsored by Marriot Vacation Club Asia Pacific.

Aquatic Airbrush Tattoo
Get yourself an airbrush tattoo of any of the marine creatures. Your choices include sea lion, pelican, penguin and mermaid.
Venue: Zoo Entrance
Date: Every Thursday – Sunday, except for the 1st weekend (Sat & Sun)
Time: 9am to 3pm

About the Californian sea lion
Intelligent and agile, the Californian sea lion is featured prominently in animal presentations in zoos and marine parks around the world. An adept swimmer, the Californian sea lion has a streamlined body, large eyes for deep-water vision, excellent hearing as well as ear passages and nostrils that can be closed underwater. Its long whiskers enhance its sense of touch.

At Singapore Zoo, visitors can witness nine sea lions swimming in the exhibit. These animals are adopted by the Singapore Technologies Aerospace.

About the Caribbean manatee
Manatees are the only marine mammals that feed exclusively on plants. The manatee uses its large, prehensile upper lip to grasp the aquatic plants and guide them into its mouth. It grazes for six to eight hours each day, consuming as much as 100 kg of plant material.

The adult female is almost twice as big as the male. One calf is produced every two years, after a gestation of one to 14 months. The newborn calf feeds on the milk produced from a pair of mammary glands under its mother’s armpits. In the past, manatees were hunted for their meat, hide and oil. Today, they are threatened with habitat degradation from oil, chemical and toxic waste pollution.

At Singapore Zoo, there are two male and three female manatees. Given the excellent husbandry provided for these sea mermaids, the Singapore Zoo has successfully bred four calves since they arrived in 2001. In fact, Bruno, our first-born captive-bred, was sent to Portugal on 12 January 2006 as part of a global captive breeding programme. He was also the first marine mammal that the park had sent on an exchange programme with zoological institutions overseas. The manatees have been adopted by The Shaw Foundation.

About the Jackass Penguin
The Jackass penguin is thus named because its call sounds like the braying of jackass or donkey. It inhabits the coastal waters of Southern Africa and is the only penguin found on the African continent. Foraging is done during the day, usually in small groups although as many as 3,000 penguins may congregate in one area. Jackass penguins continue to face threats from oil pollution and introduced animals such as feral cats, which prey heavily on the chicks.

At the Singapore Zoo, visitors are greeted with 23 jackass penguins. Considered vulnerable by the World Conservation Union, these penguins are currently adopted by Singapore Petroleum Company.

About the Pelican
Pelicans are primitive birds that have inhabited the Earth for approximately 40 million years. They can be found on all continents except Antarctica. Throughout the year, these gregarious birds live in flocks comprising both sexes. Although clumsy on land, they attain a certain grace once airborne. Pelicans often fly in groups with their heads held on their shoulders and their bills resting on folded necks. Young pelicans are born without feathers but soon grow a down coat. To fee their young, pelicans usually swallow their food first. They then open their mouths wide and chicks feed by violently plunging their heads deep into the adult’s throat pouch and taking the partially digested regurgitated fish from the gullet.

Here in Singapore Zoo, our two pelicans often make appearances during feeding times. Visitors, if lucky can also witness them dive into the pool to catch fish. These birds are adopted by NEC Semiconductors Singapore Pte Ltd.

National Geographic WILD - Save the Ocean Special

Silence of the Sea Lions
16 & 23 June 2007 at 7pm
The massive and aggressive Steller sea lions have survived undaunted for about two million years. But over the past 20 years, more than two-thirds of the Steller sea lions have vanished, and no one knows why. The last remaining stronghold for these creatures lies along the rugged shores of Alaska islands. National Geographic cameras travel to this remote area to document Silence of the Sea Lions.

Red Sea, Green Future
16 & 23 June 2007 at 7.30pm
Coral reefs are among the most complex and diverse structures we know of, built by living creatures. Learn how human activities pose threats to the reefs as National Geographic brings you through the ocean to view one of the most impressive and remarkable natural treasures in the world at Red Sea.

Miracle in the Pacific
17 & 24 June 2007 at 7pm
20 years ago, the world witnessed the decline of marine life in Baju California. Due to decades of whaling, over-fishing and pollution, scores of remarkable species were on the brink of extinction. Recently, a surprising number of species: gray whales, humpback whales, blue whales, elephant seals, sea otters and sardines are returning to these waters.

National Geographic WILD is available on StarHub Digital Cable Channel 77.