By Aniqa Norhazry (25S03D), Arshia Mahajan (25S06R) and Cayla Goh (25A01B)

Do you find yourself walking through the new Immersion Forest, peering into the murky waters of the pond and wondering, what all the fuss is about? Or perhaps you’ve seen the Rewilding works on the Y1- 4 campus instead, with the same question plaguing your thoughts: Why is rewilding so important? 

To put it simply, appreciating and preserving nature is something we tend to take for granted in our increasingly fast paced and technology dominated lives. Human activities are becoming detrimental to the environment and wildlife around us, and us Rafflesians are contributing to this too. Therefore, now more than ever, we need to take steps to protect our flora and fauna. 

Besides the recent rewilding efforts in RI, which aims to increase students’ proximity to nature, another significant milestone in Singapore’s broader context is the recent launch of Rainforest Wild Asia (RWA). Having opened its doors in March, the new installation of Mandai’s Wildlife Parks is home to 36 species, 75% of which are critically endangered.

RWA is dedicated to establishing a sustainable population of these animals, as well as raising awareness about the threats they face in the wild. In fact, when booking tickets to visit the park, a portion of the revenue earned is put towards their various conservation projects. 

But what exactly does conservation entail? Here at RWA, there are a multitude of conservation strategies carried out by the Mandai Wildlife Reserve (MWR).

This March, a press release from Mandai Wildlife Group (MWG) revealed that a total of 998 newborns from 143 species were welcomed at the various wildlife parks in Singapore over the past year. These species ranged from the elusive Malayan tiger, to the adorable Gentoo penguins. 

Of all the species, many are listed as threatened under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. In the wild, these animals face threats like habitat loss, poaching and the adverse effects of climate change. Through various breeding programmes, MWG ensures the creation of a “safety net” population—preserving endangered species and genetic diversity.

When we asked the rangers at RWA about this, it was clear that such mammoth efforts cannot be done alone. RWA works closely with organisations like World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and Southeast Asian Zoo Association (SEAZA). Together, they collaborate on research and species management plans, including animal exchanges between zoos and shared databases. The success of conservation beyond Singapore is thus enhanced, as we become part of a global network fighting species extinction.

Together for Tigers 

Trekking across rocky steps and past cascading waterfalls, our eyes were in search of one animal and one animal alone—the Malayan Tiger. We couldn’t help but exclaim when the tiger walked past us. It was nimble on its paws, and its fur almost shone under the bright sun. 

Though, sights like these are few and far between. There are fewer than 150 of them left in the wild, giving them the IUCN rating of Critically Endangered. 

Luckily, Mandai Wildlife Parks have implemented some programmes and policies to make sure these stripes do not vanish forever.

Notably, the Citizen Action for Tigers (CAT) is a programme established in collaboration with the Wildlife Society of Selangor in Malaysia. Mandai Nature engages members of the public to protect tigers and restore forests along Sungai Yu River Wildlife Corridor, the largest tiger habitat in Malaysia. While there have been over 2000 people who have walked the forests to protect the tigers, a quarter of these volunteers are from Singapore—showing the impact of the parks in bringing conservation into Singaporeans’ periphery. 

Volunteers deter poaching, disarm snares and reforest. These actions help with the largest threats that the tigers face: poaching of their body parts for traditional medicine, as well as habitat destruction.

Something else that surprised us was that there are animal specific summits. For example, there was the 1st Pahang Tiger Summit last year on International Tiger Day, where Mandai Nature had sent a team to glean the research and insights from the workshops, strengthening their commitment in collaborating for a better future for these tigers. 

While watching the tiger in awe, we never realised the efforts that go behind the scenes in making sure that generations ahead of us still get to see these stripes in the wild. Even when the stark numbers are put in front of us, it’s hard to imagine that an animal can dwindle in number so much, and so fast. Yet, reading up on the tireless conservation efforts makes us aware of the sheer ecological imbalance that will be caused by the disappearance of the tigers—something we can slow down, at least, with the right knowledge and efforts.

Getting the Red Shanked Douc Langur out of the Red 

Often known as the ‘costumed ape’ due to their colourful coating, it’s extremely difficult to see these vibrant monkeys out in the wild. They too have a critically endangered status—with the Vietnam War, the use of defoliants, chemicals that remove the leaves from trees, have made their living spaces almost uninhabitable. Deforestation and poaching have only exacerbated the threat.

Nonetheless, RWA supports breeding programmes to sustain the growth of their population, putting them under their care. They partner with organisations like Associaion Anoulak in order to safeguard and conserve endangered species in Laos, and have contributed to large-scale monitoring efforts on Annamite Mountain have a better sensing of how to best conserve these animals. 

Not only that, but Mandai Nature also sends trained community members to go on anti-poaching patrol teams, reporting poaching incidents and removing traps from the grounds. 

They’re beautiful, we thought as we all watched them sit on the ledge. It was still so surreal to see them up close. 

With all the efforts put in, let’s hope that the Langurs will linger a little longer.

Protecting the Pheasants

RWA is one of the few remaining places on Earth where one can catch a glimpse of the Vietnam Pheasant. Despite keeping an eye out for it, we were unable to spot the blue bird.

Sadly, this has been the reality for Pheasants out in the wild since 2000, as sightings have dwindled and they are considered to be largely extinct outside of conservation parks. The survival of their species is wholly dependent on groups like Mandai Nature and their continued efforts to manage the population. 

Although we did not see the Vietnam Pheasant, the informative and interactive displays around the park held all kinds of facts about the bird and its history. Did you know that the disappearance of the Vietnam Pheasant in the wild can be largely attributed to the Vietnam War? Without the human care provided at these parks, they would likely completely perish.

Shedding Light on Blind Cave Fish

With a species as small and specialised as the Blind Cave Fish, it’s easy to turn a blind eye to the threats they face. But here at RWA, no creature, no matter how small, is left behind. 

Blind cave fish have a unique evolutionary adaptation—they’ve lost their eyesight over generations due to living in total darkness in underground caves. Instead, these special creatures rely on enhanced senses like vibration detection and chemical cues to navigate and find food. However, invasive species, overfishing, and pollution have caused the species to decline by more than 80 percent over the last three generations.

Here at RWA, the critically endangered species thrives under the cool temperatures unique to The Cavern—one key feature of the new zoo—in limestone pools that shimmer in the dimly lit caves. We were thoroughly impressed by the variety of endangered species, and the thoughtful considerations that went into emulating their habitats. By including the fish in RWA, it underscores the importance of protecting entire ecosystems, including those we don’t usually see. 

More Than Just a Park

We left the elaborate network of Mandai Parks with a newfound appreciation for our national zoos. It’s truly something to be proud of; our nation, albeit small, contributes meaningfully to the survival of some of the world’s most threatened species. 

There’s much to commend the new Rainforest Wild Asia for. Through its cutting-edge breeding programmes and deep-rooted global collaborations, RWA stands as far more than just a visually stunning and interactive attraction. As visitors explore the immersive landscapes, we hope that they learn not just about wildlife, but understand the urgent need for conservation in our region and beyond.