A self-funded wildlife entity, WRS manages Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, River Safari, and Singapore Zoo; conserving nature and protecting wildlife is core to Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s mission. As an organization dedicated to the protection of wildlife and their habitats, Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) avocates green practices; it incorporates their daily operations with eco-friendly habits to contribute to a healthier planet for all.
Buying Smart and Sustainable
Sustainable procurement is one of the key strategic focus areas; the organisation’s Green Procurement Roadmap targets specific procurement category such as seafood, wood and coffee beans. The seafood served in the food and beverage establishments across all four parks are 100% sustainable. The team has also looked into sustainable sources for animal feed.
Since 2013, the organisation has been using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper and wood across all four parks for items such as park maps, office paper, outreach materials and retail products.
In recent years, study has shown the production of unsustainable palm oil has a serious negative environmental impact and is known to be a major driver of deforestation. As a wildlife conservation organisation, WRS encourages the use of Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) to reduce the negative impact to the wildlife and their habitats. Since 2017, the cooking oil used in all the food & beverage establishments are certified sustainable.
Reduce Carbon Footprint
WRS aims to reduce carbon emissions across all parks. Currently, 80 % of the trams are running on electricity rather than petrol, WRS targets to have all trams in the four parks run on electricity by end of 2021. WRS also plan to switch to electricity as fuel for all its internal fleet including vans, lorries and buggies.
In the visitor carparks, there are Electric Vehicle (EV) charging lot available. 10 electric vehicle charging lots were installed at the multi-storey carpark since November 2020, while more lots will be added over the next few years.
Say No to Single-Use Plastic
Plastic is a convenient tool we use in our daily lives, but high plastic waste is devastating to our environment and wildlife habitat. To reduce single-use plastics, there are 27 water dispensers available in all four parks, this is to encourage visitors using refillable bottles for drinks. At the retails shops and snack kiosks, beverages in PET bottles are replaced with metal cans.
To encourage park visitors to adopt sustainable shopping habits, WRS has stopped providing plastic carriers. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own bags or purchase an eco-friendly woven bag, where the proceeds contribute to wildlife conservation efforts in the region.
WRS’s effort to reduce plastic waste also extend to the food and beverage establishments, where the use of plastic straws has been eliminated.
Singapore Zoo’s Sea Lion Pedro – Go Green for Wildlife ambassador encouraging guests to use refillable bottles.
Conservation Effort
Aside from caring for the 15,000 animals in our parks, WRS is also one of the designated rehabilitation centres for rescued wildlife. WRS receives on average nearly 1,500 animals annually.
A portion of revenue also goes directly towards supporting over 40 local and regional conservation projects focused on species threatened with extinction through Mandai Nature, a Singapore-based NGO. So, every visit and purchase you make helps support their wildlife conservation work.
What can you learn during your visit to Singapore Zoo?
Other than a fun day in the zoo, park visitors can find out more about the animals and their natural habitats. Environmental education in zoo allows visitors to learn how their actions can affect the global environment.
Through educational signages, feeding sessions and exhibits across the parks, visitors are reminded to make responsible choices that can help to protect animal habitats.
Eco corners are setup in the retail stores across four parks. The merchandise featured at these Eco Corners are made from FSC-certified paper and wood. This is an opportunity to educate visitors on choosing sustainable products.
In addition to the parks, WRS also educate and spread environmental messages through community, corporate events and working closely with schools to give environmental talks, run activities and educational booths.
Get Involve
There are many options available if you are keen to support and protect wildlife, ranging from volunteering to adopting an animal, visit WRS for more information.
Pictures Credit: Wildlife Reserves Singapore
You may also like other family activities in Singapore such as visiting the farms or museums hopping.
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