Singapore Zoo welcomes the Monkey year

What better way to usher in the Year of the Monkey than with a visit to Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Safari and Jurong Bird Park where the wild residents are ready to swing into the new year with specially created festive enrichment treats?

Singapore Zoo residents, Javan langurs,
enjoying Chinese New Year treats

From February 6 to 9, guests at the four wildlife parks can catch the amusing antics of over 30 monkey species at Singapore Zoo as well as hear a singing parrot wishing everyone, “Gong Xi Fa Cai” and watch giant pandas enjoying their food from larger-than-life ang pows or red packets.

This festive season, you will see some of the world’s rarest monkeys like the cotton-top tamarin, the Javan langur and the palm-sized endangered species of golden-headed lion tamarin, receive specially prepared enrichment treats that tease will their curiosity and test their problem-solving skills.

As the monkeys chomp, dig and crunch their way through festive delights like mandarin oranges, nuts and seeds, you can marvel at their nimble and agile movements, adore their stunning features or just capture special photo mementoes!

The palm-sized endangered species of
golden-headed lion tamarin

Besides monkey-watching, you can bask in the festive ambiance and catch crowd favourites such as acrobatic lion dance performances at all four wildlife parks.  Be amazed by the Southern lion as it shimmies its way to the top of high poles in high-octane shows in Singapore Zoo, River Safari and Jurong Bird Park.  When the sun sets, a pair of dazzling LED-lit Southern lions will light up the Night Safari.

You can also rub shoulders with the God of Fortune and Fu Lu Shou mascots and embark on a Zodiac trail to discover your fortune in the Year of the Monkey.

Over at Jurong Bird Park, observe how bird nannies at the Breeding and Research Centre will be giving young parrots festive goodies like ang pows filled with treats and oranges.  Lucky guests will receive a ng pows delivered by Sassy, the sulphur-crested cockatoo and well wishes of "Gong Xi Fa Cai" from Amigo, the yellow-naped Amazon during the High Flyers Show.

Cotton-top tamarins looking for New Year treats
from the red packet

Take a refreshing walk at River Safari and see the adorable antics of giant pandas, crab-eating macaques and squirrel monkeys as they receive giant ang pows.  Then meet Kai Kai and Jia Jia panda mascots all decked out in festive finery as they spread joy with ang pow treats.

Festive fun continues into the twilight at Night Safari where you can enjoy a tram ride to spot nocturnal animals feeding on festive goodies.  If you prefer, take a trek along the walking trails to see Indian porcupines, Malayan tigers, fishing cats, common palm civets and wallabies as they uncover hidden treats.

If you plan to kick-start the Lunar New Year with a family reunion dinner, the River Safari Tea House has created sumptuous feasts including Yu Sheng at S$38 and S$58, as well as set festive menus.  With every S$88 spent in the retail stores, you can take home a free monkey plush toy!

Regular admission fees applies for visits to Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Safari and Jurong Bird Park.  Enjoy up to 30% savings on tickets purchased online.  More information is available at www.wrs.com.sg

A version of this was published in The New Straits Times, Life & Times on 4 Feb 2016