How do you usually plan your visit to the zoo?
Do you just go in then just walk and look see and maybe try to go for 1-2 shows then have KFC and then go?
We figured we have been doing just that over the past few years when we visited the zoo. Earlier days, we were more concerned for a rest area and the timing that kids have to sit down to have their meals. (Now, we are much chillllllllllllaxxx)
Back to the main point.
Today the Foong Family decided to visit the Singapore Zoo with a different itinerary!
We went with a theme in mind: lunch time for the animals!
(We had previously visited the zoo at another timing hoping to try out another trail but it started raining so heavily, we could not complete what we planned. 🙁)
The rain stopped about 9+ this morning and the weather looked very promising 🌤and we headed out at 11.30am after just bumming a bit a home.
We reached the zoo about 12pm. The kids wanted to watch a show so we thought we could accommodate that before we begin our quest. We reached the Amphitheater at 12.15pm. It was a fast walk, we stayed focused and we did not really stop to look at any animals along the way.
The thing about themed visit is you have to keep to what you have planned. Else, the trip would end up with you missing one planned activity, then snow ball to missing subsequent ones and end up becoming a usual roam around visit.
I think one disclaimer is there is NOTHING WRONG about casual walk about. We just wanted to make things a little different since we frequent zoo quite a bit. :)
After the Rainforest Fight Back show, it was about 12.45pm. We took a casual walk to the circled area in the map below.
Along the way, we were well entertained by our Orang Utans! We were watching a mama orang Utan hugging and cleaning a baby orang utan.
We read a book about Meerkats previously and we observed them for quite a while! The posture and behaviour is exactly like the book! Amazing!
Alright! It is time! This is the trail we embarked on and I'm going to give you the ultimate tip!
We reached the white rhino enclosure at 1.15pm sharp and there was already a big crowd. For token feeding (indicated on the website with an asterix *), you have to reach early to either queue or get the queue number. For example, the giant tortoise feeding (which is Super fun!!!!) there are only seven cards for grab. You get to enter the enclosure and walk side by side with the tortoise. U can even touch the tortoise! You will be brought around by the zookeepers and briefed on how to feed Cherry tomatoes to the tortoise.
WHITE RHINOCEROS
For the white rhinos, the zookeepers will issue you with a basket of melon slices after you put a minimum $5 donation into the sealed box. I say minimum because you could give more to the conservation funds if you want to. :) you will stand on an elevated platform and feed the rhinos!
(Taken from http://cdn.secretearth.com/production/12475/banner_12475.jpg)
AFRICAN LION
**this is where the trail really begins!**
The lions were all in front of the glass viewing chamber and we were waiting to see the viewing there since 1.20pm! After waiting for 10min, there were no sight of the zookeepers but we saw the lion looking at a certain direction. Our very alert papa Elvin immediately went out and saw the zookeepers standing at the other side of the enclosure where the main pavement is. We rushed out and stood next to the two zookeepers. One was with the portable microphone telling the audience about the habits of the lions while the other was calling out to the lions and throwing big pieces of raw meat to them.
(Love the viewing chamber, esp when the lions are so up close)
After feeding the lions with one full pail of raw meat, the zookeepers asked the interested ones to follow them on the trail! So we just walked with them as though it was a private guided tour! As we walk, the zookeepers shared about the zoo and the animals eating habits and behaviour. Very interesting!
Together we reached the next site!
MEERKATS!
The zookeepers told us about the habitat, explained about the small sand dune and how the meerkats could stand upright for a good 1 hr to mark its territory! The meerkats were fed with palates and meal worms.
WARTHOGS
Here, the zookeepers were throwing big chunks of sweet potatoes to the warthogs. You can ask phoebe what she knows about warthog! She would tell you that they like to roll in the mud because it is their insect repellent. Who did she hear it from? Our "personal" guides! The zookeepers!
AFRICAN PAINTED DOGS
Long legs, rounded ears and three coloured patches were one of the information we learnt. The zookeepers not just fed the dogs but also did simple precision training with them. Very interesting to watch. One funny moment was Phoebe acting to "spit/vomit" food into Nathan's mouth because she was imitating the board about how the Mother painted dogs would store food in her mouth to warm it up before giving to the puppies.
(Phoebe didn't want to act it out properly for me when I requested for her to do it again for a photo, so papa Elvin had to take over!)
That was the end of the trail with the accompanying zookeepers. We didn't go for giraffe token feeding because the queue was mad Long and we have seen it before.
We took a cooling break at the polar bear enclosure. And when it is 2.10pm, we started making out way to the OTTERS. we love otters!
OTTERS
The feeding time for otters is 2.15pm. When we arrived, the feeding has started with the zookeepers talking about the habitat and scent. Otters are fast swimmers! Love how they glide around! After the feeding session, the zookeeper stayed around for visitors to ask questions too!
(We changed our position to beside the zookeepers and this is how close we were!)
We ended our visit at the zoo with a posey photo by the kiddos, before heading to the River Safari for part 2 of the feeding trail!
But apparently when we were near the exit, about 2.30pm, these beautiful lemurs were being fed too! We are so in theme!
BUT BUT BUT if you want to stay on, we recommend that you move fast to the Hamadryas Baboons enclosure for token feeding at 2.30pm! Baboons transform into Olympic level gymnasts and athletes, doing the sprints, jumps, rolls and dives! We enjoyed the feeding so much the last time, we donated two rounds so we can have two baskets of fruits for feeding!
As the passes we had that day was for both zoo and River Safari, we had a late lunch at KFC and proceeded for a casual walk through river safari. Personally, I like river safari because it is cooling and the information at every enclosure and display is clear and interesting.
There was no afternoon feeding for the manatees (which was really very intriguing to watch when we had a chance to last time) but we still love the humongous aquarium at the end of the trail. So peaceful and the air con is shiokkkkk.
(See those rectangular floats? During feeding, those floats are filled with lettuce! And you can see the manatees nibble and pull the pieces!)
GIANT OTTERS
Finally we went to another of our Favourite site. The giant otters! They are really entertaining! (Although baboons are still TOP on our list) the way the otters interact with each other is just so funny! We settled down at the viewing window and saw one of the otters waking the rest up one by one. We were wondering what it was doing. It was hilarious seeing the otters in such drowsy state and how they ignored the enthusiastic otter and pushed him away. In actual fact, this dude is the SMARTEST.
At 4.30pm, there was call out and the zookeeper started "showering" the otters with buckets after buckets of small fish! The otters demonstrated their ability to dive, swim and glide. Then came the big chunks of salmon. The otters literally pushed themselves out of water and caught the pieces on the air and took their corners to munch and enjoy the treats. So so so interesting!
(This is a blur screen shot of a video.)
It was already 5pm when we walked out and we had a very pleasant surprise! Canola the manatee mascot was out to bid visitors farewell!
If you have been going to the zoo quite regularly but wish to boost the visit with a special itinerary, we hope you will find this post useful!
For those who think that zoo is a boring place or it's just for kids, please give it a chance again! It is not just walking around seeing animals and animals and animals. There are interesting trials and experiences that deserve another chance from you!
We are going to the zoo zoo zoo!
How about you you you?
You can come too too too!
We are going to the zoo zoo zoo!
