|  | | Image Credit: Singapore Zoo |
| The Asian species enclosures are some of the most popular at any zoo,
so why not visit these unique and fascinating creatures in their native
homes on your next family holiday? Bronwyn Eley discovers the best
animal encounters in Asia, from the sweet-faced to the scaly. | | |
| Rhythm of the night
Night Safari, Singapore
Have you ever wondered what the animals get
up to while you sleep? Shed some light on the
mystery at Night Safari in Singapore, the
world’s first safari park for nocturnal animals.
Hop on the tram safari, an exciting 40-minute
expedition allowing you to delve into the hidden
lives of some of the world’s most elusive
starlight creatures and explore seven
geographical zones ranging from the Asian
Riverine Forest to the Burmese Hillside.
While there, the Asiatic black bear, also known
as the moon bear or white-chested bear due to
the V-shaped patch of white fur on its chest, is
a must-see. There are countless other animals
unique to Asia for you to admire, including the
endangered Malayan tiger, Asia’s largest deer,
the sambar, and the greater one-horned
rhinoceros. Kids will love staying up past their
bedtime to watch these exceptional animals
go about their business.
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|  | | Image Credit: Wildlife Reserves Singapore |
| Panda playtime
Chengdu Research Base of Giant
Panda Breeding, China
Some of the world’s most cuddly creatures live
in China’s Sichuan province. Located just 10km
north of the city, the Chengdu Research Base
of Giant Panda Breeding is home to the world’s
largest artificially bred population of these
bamboo-loving bears. After rescuing and
re-releasing numerous ailing pandas, six were
chosen to start a programme that would help
revive these endangered animals.
The base offers spectacular surrounds in
which to encounter an array of endangered
wildlife, including swans, peacocks, birds,
butterflies, red pandas and, of course, their
black and white cousins. With so much to see,
it’s always a good time to visit, but a recent
happy arrival is just one more reason to
celebrate. On 2 August, two of the base’s
animal residents, Jing Jing and Si Yuan, both
delivered sets of male twins and nine cubs
overall, reminding all of the remarkable
achievements of this centre.
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| Forest-dwellers of Sabah
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation
Centre and Bornean Sun Bear
Conservation Centre, Malaysia
The state of Sabah is home to a dizzying array
of wildlife, from flat-nosed proboscis monkeys
to the cute slow loris, but it is the orangutan
that is its most famous resident. While seeing
one of these loping ‘men of the forest’ in the
wild is extremely rare, some facilities such as
the rehabilitation centre in Sepilok offers visitors
an intriguing up-close encounter. Here little
ones can admire these shy apes, enticed out
at feeding times twice a day.
While in Sepilok, be sure to visit the Bornean
Sun Bear Conservation Centre next door.
Opened to the public in January 2014, the
BSBCC has been rescuing the world’s smallest
bears since 2008 and now has 36 residents
under its care. With their honey-coloured
muzzle, families are sure to be charmed by
their unique personalities, from Loki the Bold to
Julaini the Wrinkled Friend.
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| | | | |  | |  | | Image Credit: Sabah Tourism | | Image Credit: The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre |
| Komodo calling
Bali Safari & Marine Park, Bali
The Bali Safari & Marine Park will take you and
your family on a journey to encounter some of
Asia’s most iconic animals on the best safari
outside of Africa. Hop aboard one of the park’s
elephants as they plod through a savannah-inspired
landscape, spotting wildebeest and
zebras on the way. Your journey will be guided
by an expert handler, well-versed in the
personalities of each gentle giant.
For a uniquely Indonesian experience, visit
the Komodo dragon exhibition, where you can
see this mighty lizard in its natural habitat.
Native solely to Komodo Island National Park,
its deadly saliva has 10 different kinds of
bacteria used to kill its prey, and its heightened
sense of smell makes it a formidable opponent.
See for yourself why this animal is the icon of
Indonesia, from a safe distance of course! |
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| The elephant and the mahout
Thai Elephant Conservation Center, Thailand
Home to more than 50 Asian elephants, the
Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) is
known for its ground-breaking work in
conservation and science as it cares for these
beautiful giants. Also known for its relaxed and
authentic atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to
include in your Thailand itinerary if you seek an
out of the ordinary encounter. Visit the onsite
hospital to witness the injured and orphaned
elephants as they are rehabilitated, and watch
as up to 15 take their daily bath.
The home-stay programme is enormously
popular, as it gives visitors the opportunity to
learn how to become a mahout. This is more
than just sitting on the neck of an elephant; the
TECC’s overnight experiences teach guests the
basics of riding an elephant, including control
techniques, command words, mounting and
dismounting, steering and more. With four
programmes available, all providing meals,
bottled water, a free mahout trainer suit and a
certificate, you and your family will love this
larger-than-life experience.!
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| | | | |  | |  | | Image Credit: Tourism Thailand | | Image Credit: Tourism Thailand |
| Deep-sea dreaming
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Japan
The deep-sea is one of Earth’s great mysteries.
Little is known about what hides 200 metres
below the surface (the official measurement of
‘deep-sea’) and few have witnessed the
creatures that call it home, until now. The
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan has
created an experience that reveals the mystery
as families test the water temperature at a
depth of 600 metres, learn how species survive
in the darkness and glimpse up to 70 rare
creatures in specially created exhibits.
Emerging from the black, the Ocean
Planetarium is a fascinating change in
surrounds where families are mesmerised by
species that reflect infrared light and glow like
fireflies. If you’re still feeling a little baffled by
what lurks in the depths, be sure to visit the
Aqua Lab, the place where your marine-related
questions can all be answered by the
all-knowing resident experts.
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| | | | |  | |  | | Image Credit: Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau | | Image Credit: Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau |
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