Bunny

Buzz

volume

29
MICA (P) 130/05/2010
MARCH 2011 $6.00

A publication of
Wildlife Reserves
Singapore
www.wrs.com.sg
 CONTENTS
Bunny Buzz.......................................................P02
Jumbo Joy ........................................................P06
Black & White Encounters (Part2)....................P10
Black Palm Cockatoo........................................P14
Chat With A Keeper..........................................P18
Snow Whites of The Asian Forests...................P20
Giant Freshwater Stingray................................P22
Taking the Stink Out Of Stinkhorns...................P24

P24

P22 Jumbo
P02
Joy
Last November,
Nandong, our
female elephant
gave birth to
a jumbo baby.
At birth, it
tipped the scale
P10 at 150kg, way
above the usual
birth weight of
90 to 100kg for
WILDLIFE WONDERS Asian elephants.
Wildlife Wonders aims to give you a better insight into ADVISORY PANEL:
Read more
the intriguing life forms that share Planet Earth with us. Fanny Lai
Isabel Cheng about our mega
Through simple text, captivating images, light-hearted EDITORS: addition to Night
Lok May Kuen
illustrations and fun facts, we hope that the publication
will inspire and motivate you to take greater interest in
Biswajit Guha Safari on
caring for the fragile Earth and her inhabitants.

Wildlife Wonders is a quarterly publications published

by Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Jaclyn Liew

DESIGN & LAYOUT:

Chris Sam Ngan Yin
page 6.

© All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way
without prior permission from the publisher.

PHOTO: BJORN OLESEN

 The Arctic hare changes the colour
of its coat from a brownish-grey
in summer to white with black
ear tips in winter. This form
of camouflage offers
it protection from
predators.

BUNNY BUZZ
Rabbits and hares are small herbivorous mammals. They
feed mainly on grass but also enjoy fruit and vegetables.
Rabbits and hares thrive in various climates and
are found on almost every continent. They make
their homes in different habitats - grasslands, How Different Are They? These cecotropes are rich in nutrients and
meadows, deserts, mountains, rainforests, All rabbits (with the exception of the North consumed back by the rabbits.
swamps and even the frozen tundra. American cottontail) live underground in burrows
or warrens where the doe (female) bears her When A Rabbit Is Not A Rabbit
young (kits) in fur-lined nests. Rabbits are altricial, A jackrabbit is actually a hare and the Belgian
which means kits are born blind and hairless, hare is actually a rabbit!
Peg Teeth incapable of surviving on their own.
Rabbits and hares are often thought to be related to mice, The Belgian hare
PHOTO: PHOTOLIBRARY
Jackrabbit
hamsters and other rodents but they belong to a group Hares live and bear their young (leverets) on the is a fancy breed of
known as lagomorphs. They have two ‘peg teeth’ which domestic rabbit
ground in shallow nests of grass or weeds called bred to resemble
are not found in mice and other rodents. Rabbits and forms. Without the protection of the burrows, a hare with long
hares have four sharp incisors (two upper and two lower) ‘peg tooth’ hares adapt by being born fully furred and are legs and ears. It
is one of the most
that grow continuously throughout their lifetime. They upper able to see. They are capable of fending for intelligent and
incisor
also have an extra set of ‘peg teeth’ located immediately themselves soon after birth. active domestic
behind the main incisors. rabbit breeds, but
also more difficult
lower incisor Hares have strong hind legs and large feet to to care for as
they have special
PHOTO: PHOTOLIBRARY
enable them to run fast. They are among the feeding needs
fastest of the small mammals. and require more
exercise.
Mad As What’s Jinking? The jackrabbit is
A March Hare Hares can run as fast as 72km/hour but at times, much larger than
a true rabbit and
they need more than speed to escape predators. has very long ears
In the face of threatening situations, they use that can grow up
This expression came about a trick called jinking. They make sharp left or to 20 cm long.
from the behaviour of hares
during their mating season in
right turns at full speed to confuse a pursuing
spring (around March). They predator.
chase and “box” one another
with their paws. People used Droppings For Dinner
to think that the males were Rabbits are designed to thrive on grass and
competing for a chance to leaves. To get the most nutrients out of the
mate with the females. The
truth is that females which are
food they eat, rabbits produce cecotropes (a
not ready to breed will throw special type of soft droppings) in the caecum
‘punches’ at overly-excited of their digestive tract and excrete them. Belgian hare
PHOTO: WEEFEMWE /
males to keep them away. WIKIPEDIA.COM

WILDLIFE WONDERS VOLUME 29 I PAGE 3

Folklore – Rabbit In The Moon
Rabbits and hares are often symbols of
feminity, fertility, longevity and rebirth. The
rabbit is one of the twelve celestial animals
in the Chinese zodiac.
In Chinese mythology,
a jade rabbit lived in
the moon and was
the companion
to Chang’e, the
Moon Goddess.
Rabbits As Pets
There are more
than 60 varieties
of domestic rabbits
that originated from the wild rabbits in
Europe and Africa. Rabbits make wonderful
pets. They can be trained to respond to
commands and to use a litter box. However,
being prey animals, they are easily startled
and should be handled very gently.
Rabbits are crepuscular, sleeping most of
the day and waking up at dawn and dusk to
eat, play and exercise. They are also social
animals which love the company of other
rabbits, and sometimes even cats and dogs.
More Than Just Carrots
A rabbit does not survive on carrots alone! A
healthy diet consists of pellets, fresh hay, a
small amount of fresh vegetables and water.
Timothy or other grass hay should be readily
available as the high fibre content promotes
good digestive health.
Groom For Health
Rabbits may swallow hair when they groom
themselves, especially during the moulting
stage. The swallowed hair forms hair balls,
blocking the digestive system as rabbits are
unable to cough them out. Regular brushing
is important
Flemish
to prevent
the problem.
Giant
Largest rabbit
Longhaired breed, can weigh
breeds need to be groomed 13kg or more.
daily and shorthaired breeds, once
every few days.
A Bunny Is For Life Mini
Pets are for life. Domestic rabbits can live for 10
years or more and having one as a pet means Rex
having to spend time and money to care for it for
a long time. Rabbits should never be obtained on
impulse nor should they be given as gifts. Every
year, over 1,000 rabbits are abandoned by pet
owners. In celebration of the Year of the
Rabbit, the Zoo is now home
In a year, a pair of rabbits can produce 800 to several rabbit breeds, which
babies. Visit a vet to sterilise your rabbits to
prevent unwanted babies.
include the Flemish Giant, Mini Rex,
American Sable and Holland Lop.
Adopting a rabbit is always a wiser and kinder Hop over to Rainforest KidzWorld to
choice over buying or breeding. But, think and meet them, and learn more about
think hard before you take that cute bunny home. rabbits and rabbit care.
American
Sable
Holland
Lop
WILDLIFE WONDERS VOLUME 29 I PAGE 5
 Jumbo Joy MUM
Nandong

Last November, we welcomed the arrival of

a bundle of jumbo joy at Night Safari.
Female elephant Nandong gave birth
to a male calf and helped us score
another success in our breeding
programme of the endangered
Asian elephants.

A Big Baby
Elephants carry their babies for 22
months before giving birth – the longest
gestation period for land mammals. At birth, most
Asian elephants weigh 90 to 100kg but Nandong’s baby
weighed a whopping 151kg! What was your weight
when you were born?

DAD
Chawang
Meet Mum & Dad
Nandong is attentive and caring towards the Chawang is our only adult male elephant (bull
newborn, her third baby. No one would have elephant). He was rescued as an orphaned
About The Baby… guessed that she struggled with motherhood when elephant by the Malaysian Wildlife Authorities
her first baby Sang Raja was born. She was so near Perak’s Sungei Chawang, hence his name. He
Date of Birth: 23 November 2010 inexperienced that she fumbled and broke his leg. arrived in Singapore Zoo in December 1983 and
Time of Birth: 8.08am Fortunately, Sang Raja recovered, after wearing a was only six then. He was transferred to Night
Weight at Birth: 151 kg cast on his leg for over two months. She learnt and Safari when the park opened in 1994. He now
Mum: Nandong (her 3rd birth) by got better with second baby Sang Wira. Now, as an weighs over 3,500 kg and has impressive tusks that
our new ba
Dad: Chawang ta ki ng th e weight of e.
Keepers an
d vets l weighing
scal experienced mother, Nandong is ready to take on measure nearly 1.2 metres in length. Chawang is a
ith a specia
elephant w the challenge of raising her third baby. good breeder and has fathered four calves so far.

WILDLIFE WONDERS VOLUME 29 I PAGE 7

 Did You Know?
Baby elephants suck their trunks just like human babies suck their
thumbs. Newborn elephants are very clumsy with their trunks
and take months to learn how to control and use it well.

It Takes A Herd To Raise A Calf

In the wild, the birth of an elephant is
a busy time not only for the mother
but also for members of the herd. As
the birth draws near, adult females
circle the mother to protect her. If the
amniotic sac (see photo below) is not
broken at birth, the ‘aunties’ will help
the mother to remove it and free the
baby from the sac. They also help to
get the baby to its feet and guide it to
nurse. As the young elephant grows, the
‘aunties’ continue to play an important
role in raising it. They help to teach
foraging skills, and to protect the young
from danger as the herd travels in
search of food and water.
Right (top): The white amniotic sac serves to protect the
baby while it develops in its mother’s womb. Baby elephants
are delivered in the sac, which may not be broken at birth.
If this happens, the mother and aunties will have to remove
the sac to free the baby.
Right (bottom): A keeper in Maesa Elephant Camp removing
the amniotic sac to free the baby elephant.
The elephant society is a very closely-knit one. Members
may separate to feed but they continue to ‘talk’ to each
other using infrasounds, which can be heard some 10km
away. These sounds are, however, too low for us to hear.
Women Power
An elephant herd is led by a matriarch, which
is usually the oldest female within the group.
The matriarch uses her vast life experiences
to guide the herd to available food and water
sources. She keeps the herd together and acts
as a peace-maker to settle ‘quarrels and fights’
among members.
All the females in a herd are related –
grandmothers, mothers, sisters, aunties and
cousins. Males are forced out of the herd once
they become ‘teenagers’, at about 12 years
old. They then form bachelor herds.
“An elephant
never forgets.”
True to the saying, elephants have very good
memories. They have a mental map of their
home range and are able to remember the
location of waterholes and food sources.
Some elephants appear to recognize their
abusers from a long time ago and react
aggressively towards them. Scientists believe
that these elephants are able to recall
the scent or physical appearance of their
tormentors even after many years.

ELE-FUN FACTS
• In Latin, the term ‘elephant’ means huge arch i.e. `ele’ = ‘arch’ and ‘phant’ = ‘huge’.

• Elephants have the largest brain among all land mammals.

• The African elephant has the largest ears among all animals, and the ears are shaped like the African
continent. Asian elephants have much smaller ears.

• Elephants sleep very little because they spend ¾ of their life eating to keep their huge bodies in good shape.
They eat 70 to 150kg of food per day but less than half of it is digested and the rest is passed out - that’s why
elephant poo is rich in plant fibre and makes great paper products.

• ‘Elephant in the room’ is an English idiom to refer to a huge and obvious problem that people choose to
ignore. Instead, they busy themselves with small and unimportant issues.

Adult elephants always ensure that the young move within

the core of the herd when they travel so that they do not
become easy targets for predators. WILDLIFE WONDERS VOLUME 29 I PAGE 9
Black & White Encounters Part 2

In this issue, we continue to enjoy black and white encounters with the No Cold Feet For Penguins
penguins and find out how they cope with freezing temperatures, and avoid Hold some ice cubes in our
hands and in less than a minute,
the risk of overheating. we will start to feel discomfort
and numbness. Penguins do not
Feathers and Fat have feathers on the undersides
Penguins have fine feathers that overlap of their feet. So, how do they
to form a waterproof body covering. The cope with walking barefeet on
feathers interlock so tightly that they do not icy surface?
ruffle even in the face of the strongest wind.
A thick layer of fat under the skin acts as a Penguins have special blood
superb insulator to prevent body heat from vessels to retain the heat in the
escaping. blood that flows to the feet (and
the flippers too). In addition,
they are able to decrease or
increase blood flow in response
to the surrounding temperature.
When the weather gets very
cold, the blood vessels constrict
to reduce the amount of blood
flowing to their feet. These
The feathers of a penguin are so fine that they are often mistaken
as fur. They interlock tightly to function like a windbreaker.
features help to cut down heat
PHOTO: HEATH HOLDEN
loss to the environment and to
prevent penguins from getting
cold feet. The muscles controlling
a penguin’s feet are
located higher up in
the warmer part of the
Frozen Muscles? body. Therefore, they
Belly Glide The muscles that control the are able to function
even when the feet
feet of a penguin are not are in constant contact
located in the feet. Instead, with the icy ground.
Penguins are good
swimmers, cutting they are found higher up, in
through water with the warmer part of the body.
grace and agility. Their
Elongated tendons are attached
feet are located at the
posterior end of the body to these muscles to control the
to create a streamlined feet movement (somewhat like
effect, which is perfect for moving a puppet with pull-
swimming. However, on strings). In this way, the muscles
land, they walk clumsily do not get frozen and therefore
because of the way the
can function normally even
feet are positioned. To
move fast on snow, they if the penguin is standing on
toboggan or glide on their snowy surface.
belly, using their flippers
to steer and balance.
PHOTOS: PHOTOLIBRARY
WILDLIFE WONDERS VOLUME 29 I PAGE 11
 Walk On Heels
Emperor and king penguins
often walk or stand on heels
so that only a small area of
their feet is in contact with
snow. They use their stiff tail
feathers as an anchor to prevent
themselves from falling over
backwards.
Right: Walking or standing on heels helps to
reduce the area of contact. Emperor penguins
are able to stand barefeet on icy surface for two
months while incubating their eggs.
When It Gets Too Warm
Penguins are so well-insulated
with feathers and fat that they
can overheat in summer. When
this happens, they pant, stay
out of the sun, ruffle their
feathers and hold their flippers
away from the body to allow
heat to escape. Humboldt and
African penguins have bare
patches around their face and
feet to radiate excess heat.
Penguin Coast
Penguin Coast, opened
last December, is set to be
one of the most exciting
attractions at Jurong
Bird Park. The African
penguins, which are the
latest additions to the
Park, can be seen frolicking
in the new outdoor
habitat. They are just an
arm’s length from visitors
and are truly a sight to
behold!

Ice Play

It’s ‘ice play’ every morning for

some of the penguins at Jurong
Bird Park. Our keepers unload
500kg of ice daily into the indoor
exhibit so that the penguins can
have fun with ice. This is one of the
many enrichment activities which
we use to encourage our animals
to explore, play and sharpen their The indoor habitat of Penguin
skills so that they are physically Coast displays the king, Humboldt,
macaroni and rockhopper penguins.
strong and mentally alert.
PHOTOS: HEATH HOLDEN PHOTOS: HEATH HOLDEN
WILDLIFE WONDERS VOLUME 29 I PAGE 13
 Newly-hatched palm
cockatoo is naked and
blind. It starts to grow
feather after five months.

Black Palm
Bumper Year For Cockatoo Pair
In the wild, a female black palm
cockatoo produces only one egg per
breeding season, and the chick is

Cockatoo
cared for by both parents. This bird
species generally does not breed well,
but the breeding pair of black palm
cockatoos in Jurong
Bird Park is an
exception. Last
Jurong Bird Park has been very year, they
produced
successful in breeding endangered four clutches
as well as protected birds. Last of eggs, of
year, we added another feather in which three
our conservation cap with three were successfully
happy hatchings of the black palm hatched and raised.
The eggs were artificially
cockatoo, a species that is found incubated to improve the success rate
PHOTO: BJORN OLESEN

The black palm cockatoo
has a red patch on each
side of its cheek. The
colour of these cheek
patches deepens when the
bird is alarmed or excited.
in Northern Australia, New Guinea
and Aru Island (Indonesia).
Protected Black Beauty
The black palm cockatoo is the only
cockatoo that has completely black plumage.
Like many wild birds, it is threatened by
destruction of its forest home as a result
of logging and bauxite mining. Owing to
its unusual plumage colour, the black palm
cockatoo is highly sought after by exotic
bird collectors. It is a protected species,
listed in Appendix 1 of the Convention of
International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This simply
means that the black palm cockatoo is
not allowed to be sold or bought. Only
reputable wildlife institutions are allowed
to keep them for breeding purpose. Its wild
population is stable in Northern Australia,
thanks to the strict wildlife laws and
enforcement in the country.
of hatching. Incubation period is 28 days and the
temperature of the incubator was kept at 36˚C.
Cockatoo Concoction
The black palm cockatoo chicks are hand raised by
our bird keepers. These babies are a demanding
lot. They have to be fed every two hours from
6am till 9pm. The amount of food given to each
chick is equivalent to 10% of its total body weight.
The food is a special blend comprising many types
of food.
COCKATOO CONCOCTION
Peanut
butter
Broccoli Parrot baby
formula
It’s Not Just A Nut Cracker
The black palm cockatoo has the largest beak
among cockatoos. The beak is not only used
to crack tough nuts and seeds but also to
break twigs for use in courtship drumming.
To attract the attention of female cockatoos,
the males hit a twig against a tree branch like
drummers. Females are said to be able to tell
if the nest cavity is sturdy by listening to the
drumming.
Carrot
Sunflower
seeds
Walnut
Apple

WILDLIFE WONDERS VOLUME 29 I PAGE 15

INTERNATIONAL
YEAR OF
FORESTS
2011 has been declared International
Year of Forests by the United Nations
to raise awareness and promote
global action to conserve forests.

Forests are vital to our survival. Plants

harness the sun’s energy to produce
food to sustain other life forms on
Earth, and in the process they clean
the air by taking in the carbon dioxide
produced through the respiratory
process and the burning of fossil fuels.
These green lungs are giant sponges,
soaking up the rain and protecting
fragile topsoil from being eroded.

Forests are home to about 80% of all

land creatures and 300 million people.
Forest-related economic activities
affect livelihoods of 1.6 billion people
worldwide. Many of the products and
medicines we use today originated
from forests. The green treasure trove
will continue to provide cures for
diseases, soothe pain, improve our
quality of life but time is running out.

Every day, some 350 square kilometres

of forest cover are lost worldwide
through conversion to agricultural land,
unsustainable harvesting of timber,
unsound land management practices,
and creation of human settlements.

The International Year of Forests serves

to remind us that our survival is very
much linked to that of the forests, and
to encourage actions to slow down the
rate of deforestation.

Chat With A Keeper
PHOTO: HEATH HOLDEN
Ernie’s journey to being an Animal
Keeper started with her eight-month
stint as a volunteer at the Night
Safari. She nursed the ambition of
becoming a veterinary surgeon but
certainly has no regrets settling
for the next choice – working with
animals as a keeper.
After ten years and having worked
in three different sections at Night
Safari, Ernie has taken on new
challenges – to maintain a viable
population of fireflies for release
at the Night Safari, and to act as
a ‘foster mother’ to baby bats
(also known as pups). Animal
Management Officer Gerard Wan
caught up with her to find out more
about the mammoth task of caring
for these tiny creatures.
PHOTO: HEATH HOLDEN
Batty Over Bats
There are about 1,200 species of bats worldwide and being the only flying mammal
makes them a very special group of animals. Bats are very useful and important
to the ecosystem as insectivorous bats feed on insects such as mosquitoes, thus
controlling pest populations. Frugivorous bats which feed on fruit, help disperse
seeds which are essential to their propagation and survival. In Singapore, there are
twenty-two native species of bats, and there is little information available or known
about the majority of them. Within WRS parks, there are thriving populations of
bats that go unnoticed by many unsuspecting visitors. In a survey conducted in
2010, we found seven roosting sites comprising over 300 individual bats. The lesser
dog-faced fruit bat (Cynopterus brachyotis) is the most common species found here.
2011 is the International Year of the Bat as designated by the United Nations
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the Agreement on the Conservation
of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS). To help conserve bats and to raise
awareness about them, WRS is planning a series of activities. One initiative
is to create more bat-friendly habitats within our parks by increasing their
naturally available food sources and to put up bat boxes for roosting. A series of
enrichment programs for the public, and guided tours will be available in the
coming months.
Lesser dog-faced fruit bat
PHOTO: WILLIAM NAI
When did you start hand raising bats?
I started being a ‘foster mother’ to baby bats when I found them on the ground. They had fallen
off the trees during a thunderstorm. I was only too glad to save them, and like all mothers, I always
want the best for the babies.
How do you cope since there is hardly any reference on hand raising bats?
My colleague and resident bat expert, Gopinathan is a great help. He assists with the husbandry
needs of the baby bats and together with the vets, came up with the feeding formula.
What is the greatest challenge you face?
Bats that are too young may not accept the feeding formula. It is also a struggle to get them to
gain weight during the early period of hand-rearing. Their weight may remain the same for quite a
while even though they eat and defecate normally.
How many types of bats have you tried to hand raise?
Just two so far - the dog-faced fruit bat and the yellow house bat.
What are your secret batty recipes?
We give yoghurt to young fruit bats. It contains acidophilus bacteria and is easily absorbed by the
bats. When they cut their first teeth, we switch to soft fruit such as bananas. With insect-eating
bats, we provide a specially-concocted juice from mealworms, with acidophilus bacteria and water.
We also give them crickets, usually cut into very small pieces. For both liquid formulae, the bats
are fed using a syringe. However, we must be very careful as the animals may drink too fast and
the food ends up in their lungs.
How many baby bats have survived so far?
Four fruit bats and two yellow house bats have been successfully hand raised. They are now able
to fly and forage on their own.
WILDLIFE WONDERS VOLUME 29 I PAGE 19
 SNOW WHITES
OF THE ASIAN FORESTS
Also called the Bali starling, the Bali mynah is the only surviving
endemic* animal species of Bali, Indonesia. It was discovered in
1911, and was found across the north-west third of the island. It is
now critically endangered, with fewer than 50 surviving in the wild.
* endemic means only found in a particular area.
Disappearing from
Our Skies
The Bali
mynah’s snow-
white beauty is
the very thing that
endangers its life. It is
easily visible in green
forests. To avoid
predators, it stays in
the treetops and only
comes to ground to
drink. This species has
been protected by the
Indonesian Authority
since 1970 but this has
not stopped poachers from
trapping it illegally. Being
rare, the Bali mynah is well
sought after by exotic bird
collectors. In the 1990s, it was
traded on the black markets
at up to US$2000 per bird. At
one time, the wild population
dropped to only 12 individuals.
With conservation efforts and
the release of captive-bred
birds, the population grew but
the number of individuals is
still very small.
Apart from poaching,
deforestation, urbanisation
and human encroachment on the tourism island of
Bali are additional threats faced by the Bali mynah.
Saving the Species
The Bali mynah is the national bird of Bali. It
has been bred in various zoos around the world.
Jurong Bird Park has been breeding the Bali
mynah since 1989 and showcases the species in
the South-east Asian aviary. It has one breeding
pair and has had five successful hatchings in the
last three years.
To save the critically endangered Bali Mynah,
Jurong Bird Park has partnered conservation
group, Begawan Foundation in Bali, and will be
sending over three Bali mynahs for breeding. The
young will eventually be released in Nusa Penida,
an island-wide bird sanctuary south east of Bali.
Such exchange programmes are important to
ensure genetic diversity and greater chances of
Captive breeding of Bali mynahs is one way to save the species from
extinction.
The male proudly fluffs up and flaunts his white
feather crest while bobbing up and down
in a dance to woo the female.
survival among captive-bred birds. Late last
year, Jurong Bird Park also sent a team to survey
the number of Bali mynahs in Nusa Penida. A
total of 42 birds were sighted. A survey in 2008
revealed that there were 56 adults and 39
young on that island.
The Bali mynah is fighting a tough battle for
survival. However, with such dedicated efforts
to save the species, there is hope that in
the near future, the calls of Bali mynahs will
resonate in the forests of Bali.
What’s On the Menu?
Bali mynahs are omnivores. In the wild, they
feed on fruits, seeds, insects, worms and
other invertebrates. In the Jurong Bird Park,
they enjoy daily feasts of pellets, mealworms,
crickets and fruits like papayas and bananas.
Not Exactly A Balinese Dance
To attract the female, the male sings and fluffs PHOTO: BJORN OLESEN
up its white feather crest while bobbing up and
down. Bali mynahs are social birds that live
in flocks. However, a mated pair is very
territorial and will leave their flock to nest
and raise their young.
Pretty Blue Eggs
In the wild, Bali mynahs often nest in vacated
woodpecker tree cavities. The mated pair lines
the cavity with twigs, grass, leaves and feathers.
The female produces two to five bluish-green
eggs in one clutch. Mating seems to take place
Both parents incubate the eggs for
in the rainy seasons from November to April two weeks and feed the chicks till they
when insects are plentiful for the fledglings. leave the nest after about three weeks. PHOTO: AMBERLEY CHEW
WILDLIFE WONDERS VOLUME 29 I PAGE 21
Giant
FRESHWATER STINGRAY
Giants have been arriving in the Zoo recently. Early last year, we brought in the
Mekong giant catfish and recently, five giant freshwater stingrays from Thailand.
These giants are among the many freshwater animals to be housed in the
upcoming River Safari, which will open mid next year.
to touch and therefore a useful tool for sensing
around, especially in murky rivers. It breathes
through two breathing holes (spiracles), which are
located near the eyes on the upper surface of its
body. These spiracles are connected by a ‘canal’.
Fishermen often thread a rope through the two
spiracles to drag giant stingrays along, causing
distress to the fish.
Electrifying Meals
The prehistoric giant freshwater stingray eats
fish, clams and crabs. It uses special sensory
cells around the mouth and nose to detect the
electrical field generated by the prey.
Humongous! Giant freshwater stingrays, also called freshwater whip
rays, can grow up to 5 metres long, 2.4 metres wide and weigh up to
600 kilogrammes (equivalent to 9 average-sized men).
Prehistoric Giants
Giant freshwater stingrays have been around
for millions of years but scientists did not Hard and rough pads around the mouth
are used to crush clams and crabs.
know about them until recently; in 1990.
These giants inhabit the rivers of Thailand,
Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia,
Left: A researcher
holding a baby giant
Myanmar, Papua New Guinea and Australia. freshwater stingray.
The mouth of a
stingray is located on
The giant freshwater stingray spends much of the underside of the
its time resting on riverbeds. Its protruding body – an adaptation
eyes function like periscopes to help it see
that enables it to
forage for food on
above. The pointed snout is very sensitive riverbeds.
All photos courtesy of Assoc.Prof.Dr.Nantarika Chansue
Ornamental Aquatic animals and Aquatic animals for Conservation research unit (OAAC),
Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
The Deadly Whip
The long, whip-like tail of the freshwater stingray
is armed with an extremely sharp barb. The barb
can measure up to 38cm – among the longest for
stingrays. This deadly weapon can pierce through
skin, and even bones. When the fish senses
danger, it thrashes around with its tail, inflicting
wounds and releasing venom at the same time.
A Ray of Hope
The freshwater giant stingrays are
threatened by overfishing and habitat
The barb of the giant freshwater destruction. There is an urgent need to save
stingray works like a hunting arrow.
It slides into flesh easily, but its these magnificent river giants. Yet, very
jagged edges make it painful and little is known about them and this means
difficult to remove.
that it is difficult for scientists to come
up with conservation measures to save
these creatures. But there is a ray of hope.
Research work on the stingray is progressing
well. A research team has tagged 105
giant stingrays in the Chao Phraya River in
Thailand to monitor and study their natural
behaviour in detail. Once we know more
about the freshwater giant stingrays, the
barb
task of saving them will be less daunting.
Below: Researchers tagging a giant stingray so that they can
monitor its natural behaviour.
A Safe Delivery
Mummy stingray gives birth to live young but she
does not get hurt by the sharp barbs found on the
tail of her babies during the delivery. Babies have
it all planned out – the barb comes with a mucus
plug to ensure that the sharp edges are
not exposed.
WILDLIFE WONDERS VOLUME 29 I PAGE 23
 Stinkhorns!
Dried stinkhorns are
sold in Chinese
medicinal shops
and dried
food stalls.

Stinkhorns, as their name suggests, are a group of fungi that produce extremely PHOTO: PHOTOLIBRARY

Bridal Veil Stinkhorn

PHOTO: PHOTOLIBRARY
Dog Stinkhorn
unpleasant-smelling, horn-shaped fruiting bodies, which are commonly known
as ‘mushrooms’. Yet, in their dried forms, some stinkhorns are considered
delicacies in Chinese cuisine and are served in local restaurants.
PHOTO: PHOTOLIBRARY
Octopus Stinkhorn
Stinkingly Attractive
Stinkhorns grow out of a structure resembling an
‘egg’. The fungus stays in its ‘egg’ stage for several
days while the fruiting body or ‘mushroom’
develops inside. When fully developed, the
fruiting body breaks the outer layer of the ‘egg’
and emerges in a matter of hours. As it emerges,
the black or dark green slimy mass of spores on
the cap matures and begins to smell like rotting
meat. Flies are attracted to the smell, and as they
move around on the cap, their feet get dusted
Dried stinkhorns are soaked
with the spores. Eventually, the flies land on a and the veils discarded
suitable substrate on which the spores develop before they are cooked.
and repeat the lifecycle. This method of dispersal
is not common among fungi – most rely on wind
to disperse their spores. The stinkhorns use an Nature’s recyclers
ingenious dispersal method, which is believed Stinkhorns, as with other types of fungi, play a vital role in the
to have evolved only towards the end of the ecosystem as recyclers of dead material and waste matter.
Dinosaur Age! Together with bacteria, they break down and feed on
decaying organic material such as leaf litter, dead
Foul Food animals and wood. Therefore they are also called
Despite their ‘foul smelling’ repute, stinkhorns the clean-up crew of Mother Nature. Without
are a delicacy in some parts of the world. Dried fungi, the forests would be stacked with heaps of
stinkhorns have been consumed by people in twigs, stems, leaves and other dead matter. Some
China for centuries and are served in Chinese forest animals are dependent on fungi as a primary
restaurants here. Stinkhorns have also been food source.
recognised by some for their medicinal properties.
They are used to treat ulcers, gout and epilepsy. So, the next time you take a stroll in a forested area In Chinese
It has also been said that if carried about as a and stumble upon awful smelling ‘horns’, look again. restaurants, stinkhorns
talisman of sorts, the stinkhorn can be a remedy You may be looking at a group of stinkhorns which are often referred to
as ‘bamboo pith’ and are
for rheumatism. However, there is no credible you now know are essential in ensuring the survival used in the preparation of
medical evidence to support any of these claims. of forests and their inhabitants. Chinese dishes and soups.

WILDLIFE WONDERS VOLUME 29 I PAGE 25


• DRAGON FRUIT •
The Fiery Fruit
The dragon fruit is
produced by a cactus
that probably originated
from South America.
Legend has it that dragon
fruits were produced in the
breath of fire-breathing
dragons when they battled.
The scales of the fruit are
remnants of the white and
yellow flowers. The flowers
are sometimes called
“queen of the night” or
“moonflower” because they
bloom only at night and
usually wilt by daybreak,
after being pollinated by
bats, ants or bees.
The dragon
fruit is a vine-like
epiphytic cactus that uses
secondary or aerial roots
to climb and anchor onto its
host plant. In farms, trellises are
provided to support the plants.
Cacti Feast
Besides the dragon fruit, the fruit of the
prickly pear cactus are also commonly
eaten. They can be consumed raw or are
made into candies, jelly and drinks. The
flat and fleshy stems, known as “nopales”
(which means “pads” in a language of the
Aztecs), are often eaten in salads, soups and
other Mexican dishes.
Congratulations to the readers
who sent in the correct answer for
Wildlife Guess Volume 28. Lucky
winners will each receive a $10
Ben & Jerry’s ice cream voucher.
The answer for Wild Guess volume 28 is
There are different
varieties of dragon
fruit. Most commonly
sold are those with
pink skin and white
or pink flesh. The
less commonly seen
yellow- skinned variety
is the sweetest of the
dragon fruit varieties.
The flower
of the
dragon
fruit plant.
PHOTO: LIM AI KHENG
G
UI LIN
: NG H
PHOTO
• WILD GUESS •
Send your entry to:
PHOTO: PHOTOLIBRARY
Cacti also provide food The Editor, Wildlife Wonders (Wild Guess)
and water for animals Singapore Zoo, 80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore 729826
like the bighorn sheep, Find out the answer in Wildlife Wonders Volume 30
antelope ground Closing Date: 30 April 2011
squirrels, pack rats,
pocket mice and various Name:
birds. Bats, bees, ants
and butterflies feed on Address:
nectar from the cactus
flowers. Even the wild
A ring-
ring-tailed lemurs living tailed lemur Contact no.: Answer:
in the driest ranges feasting on
of Madagascar have the fleshy
stem of the
discovered the living prickly pear.
waters in succulent
prickly pears!
Spiny but Safe
Wildlife Wonders
The gigantic saguaro cacti make good homes Want to know about the latest love stories of our
and hiding places for many desert animals. animals or how the keepers and vets keep our birds
Birds like the gila woodpeckers, purple and beasts in the pink? Curious to find out how we
martins, house finches and gilded flickers train the animals for shows, blood tests and other
hollow out cacti to build nests. Cactus routine health checks? Subscribe to Wildlife Wonders
wrens and California thrashers often nest for regular updates on all our three wildlife attractions!  
in the protective prickly arms of the cholla.
Preservation of the cacti is essential to the 1-year subscription, volume 29 to 32: S$16 (save S$12)
conservation of desert animals that depend 2-year subscription, volume 29 to 36: S$28 (save S$21)
on these unique plants for food and shelter.
To purchase past issues, please log on to:
Adapt to Survive
http://education.wrs.com.sg/publiations.html
There are more than 2,000 species of cacti.
Almost all are native to the Americas. To
survive in the harsh desert conditions, Cheque to be made payable to Singapore Zoological Gardens.
they adapt by having waxy and succulent Please send it together with this order form to:
stems that store water. The leaves are Education Dept, Singapore Zoo, 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
modified into spines to reduce water loss
through a reduction in surface area. The Cheque No. ________________________________ Total Amount: ____________________
fleshy stem stores water and contains Name: _____________________________________ Tel:____________________________
chlorophyll for photosynthesis to make Email: _____________________________________________________________________
food for the plants. Address: ___________________________________________________________________
Photocopied form is accepted.
 Wildlife Wonders Volume 28:
Answers & Winners
CONTEST 1: CONTEST 2:
1a. grass
1b. fastest
2. strength
3. longest
venomous
Contributed by: Rachelle Koo CONTEST 1: Similar Yet Different 4. precocial
5. regurgitate
Rabbits and hares are not related to mice and other rodents.
They belong to a group called lagomorphs. Now, let’s see how
similar yet different rabbits and hares are from each other. WINNERS:
Rachelle Koo Ling Yong Jie
1. The young of rabbits are called (a) _________________ Lukas Lee Chan Weng Hin
while the young of hares are called (b) ______________. Chia Sophie Mariam Jamilah Bte Musafir Lara
Rene Ng Junyi Tan Wei Han Max
Bernard Foo Francis Foo Sang
2. Hares are precocial; the young are able to fend for
themselves soon after birth. Rabbits, in contrast, are
_________________ ; the young are born blind, hairless
and helpless. Wildlife Wonders Volume 29:

3. Rabbits live in the safety of underground burrows while FunPage Contest Form
hares live on the ground in _______________.

4. Both rabbits and hares have an extra set of __________
teeth which are not found in rodents.
5. ________________ is a special type of nutritious soft
droppings produced in the caecum of rabbits and hares.
Name: ___________________________
Address: ___________________________
School: ___________________________
Contact No.: ___________________________
Please send your answers to:
Singapore Zoo, Education Dept
80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
Closing Date: 30 April 2011

Be Smart to Survive - True or False

CONTEST 1: SIMILAR YET DIFFERENT
Animals and plants have intelligent adaptations that help
them thrive in their environments. Guess which adaptations 1. Ans: (a) _________________
are true.
(b) _________________
1. The muscles that control a penguin’s
feet are located near the feet to keep 2. Ans: ____________________
them warm. True/ False
3. Ans: ____________________
Animal Riddle: Animal Riddle:
2. The giant freshwater stingray has 4. Ans: ____________________
What is a vampire’s Where do birds go to special sensory cells that can detect the
electrical field generated by its prey. True/ False 5. Ans: ____________________
favourite sport? drink coffee?
Bernard Foo Shi Jie Angeline Foo Yu Wen 3. Flies are attracted to the stinkhorn by its CONTEST 2: BE SMART TO SURVIVE
Ans: Batminton Ans: Nestcafé colourful spores. True/ False

4. Cacti adapt to arid desert conditions by 1. TRUE / FALSE

Write to us and share your stories, riddles or poems about nature with our readers.
having waxy, succulent stems. True/ False
2. TRUE / FALSE
If published, you will receive a $10 Ben & Jerry’s voucher.
Please send your contribution to: The Editor, Wildlife Wonders (Your Say) 5. The young of stingrays are born without
sharp barbs on their tails so that their 3. TRUE / FALSE
Singapore Zoo, 80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore 729826
Remember to include your name and mailing address. mothers are not hurt during birth. True/ False 4. TRUE / FALSE

5. TRUE / FALSE
 Wildlife News Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Night Safari Rejoices Over also known to be slow breeders, The Sunda pangolin is native to
2nd Rare Pangolin Birth! producing only one or two Southeast Asia. They are often Banded Leaf Monkeys Are Reproducing relatively dry period. Several infants born in
Night Safari is wild over offspring a year. poached for their scales, meat, Ms Andie Ang, a student from National previous years were also spotted.
the rare birth of a baby skins or exploited in traditional University of Singapore, is the recipient of
Malayan pangolin on 14 Nita, our female pangolin in medicine. When threatened, grants from the Wildlife Reserves Singapore Sadly, a young banded leaf monkey was
January 2011! Night Safari, gave birth to her they roll up into a ball of armour, Conservation Fund (WRSCF) and the NUS Ah recently struck and killed by a vehicle along
first young a year ago but very which ironically makes it easier Meng Memorial Conservation Fund for the first- Thomson Road. Wildlife road kill further
These delicate and scaly sadly, it did not survive. The for poachers to scoop them up. ever research project on banded leaf monkeys threatens the plight of already endangered
anteaters are difficult to latest newborn addition is the in Singapore. animals. Banded leaf monkeys are particularly
maintain in captivity due first successful birth of a Sunda Pangolins are on the verge of active in the morning and late afternoon. It is
to their specialised diet Pangolin in captivity. Newborn extinction and the successful The banded leaf monkey was believed to be on very important to drive carefully and watch out
of ants and termites. The pangolins begin to eat termites birth of the pangolin in Night the verge of extinction when studies conducted for wildlife, especially around nature reserves
diet makes them natural at one month old but they Safari certainly takes us closer in 1990s indicated there were only 10 to 15 left and at night. Injured wild animals that are safe
pest controllers in their continue to nurse for about to our mission to help conserve in Singapore. The project provided encouraging to be handled can be sent to the Zoo’s Wildlife
ecosystems. Pangolins are three months. this native species. evidence that there are in fact at least 40 banded Healthcare and Research Centre.
leaf monkeys inhabiting the Central Catchment
PHOTOS: BJORN OLESEN
Nature Reserve, and they are reproducing. The banded leaf monkeys in Singapore are
suspected to be genetically related and it is
Andie’s team observed the banded leaf uncertain if this small population in Singapore
monkeys over a period of 22 months and will recover and thrive. Ongoing research
documented at least one birth for three into the social, genetic and ecological factors
consecutive years in the months of June and affecting the fertility and survival rates of
The baby pangolin takes Pangolins are nocturnal and July. This birth season seems to coincide with these primates is important to help scientists
a ride on its mother’s tail. remain in their burrows during
When threatened or in danger, the day. Their name originated the southwest monsoon season which is a conserve this endangered species.
it slips under her and is protected from the Malay word “pengguling”,
when the mother rolls up her body. which means “something that rolls up”.

All About Bunnies close contact with and learn

PHOTO: HEATH HOLDEN
Spreading the Conservation Message
Visitors to the newly refurbished Penguin Coast
at Jurong Bird Park will now be greeted by
friendly Conservation Ambassadors who will
provide guided tours around the new exhibit
and share interesting information about the
African, Humboldt, macaroni, king, rockhopper
and fairy penguins. These ambassadors are
trained student volunteers who are passionate
about wildlife and conservation. They will be
stationed at Penguin Coast between 11.30am
and 1.30pm during the weekends and on
weekdays of the school holidays.
As this is the Year of the Rabbit,
there is anticipation that many
people will be interested to
acquire furry bunnies as pets. A
fun and educational booth was
set up at Rainforest Kidzworld
during Chinese New Year to
educate the public on proper
care, diet and responsibility of
keeping rabbits as pets. Jurong
Bird Park also displayed eight
bunnies at the entrance plaza,
where visitors were able to have
more about rabbits.
Every year, more than 1,000
rabbits are abandoned by
owners who either bought them
on impulse or lack the necessary
knowledge to care for them.
Rabbits are fragile animals and
can live up to 10 years. They are
more suitable as pets for mature
owners who understand the
commitment of caring for them
for life.

WILDLIFE WONDERS VOLUME 29 I PAGE 31

Wildlife Events
@ SINGAPORE ZOO

International Year of Forests Sleep with the Beasts!

2011 was declared the International Year of Fancy camping on the wild side? Singapore Zoo brings
Forests by the United Nations. Come celebrate you on an exciting night camp where you will be
the beauty of forests with Singapore Zoo at a treated to exclusive
new tour along the Treetops Trail! You will learn behind-the-scenes
about the importance of tours and animal
forests to both humans encounters. Pitch
and animals, and your tents and
observe the feeding dream beneath
and enrichment of the night sky,
Asian forest animals like surrounded by wild
the siamang, false gharial, animal friends!
greater mousedeer,
otter, tapir, babirusa and Date: 28 – 29 May 2011 (2 days 1 night)
proboscis monkey. Age: Families with children age 3 years & above
Cost: $155 per adult, $130 per child (GST applies)
Date: 12 March 2011 (daily) 5% off for Friends of the Zoo, Feather Friends,
Time: 10.30am - 11.00am Wildlife Unlimited or Wildlife Unlimited Plus
Location: Beginning of Treetops Trail Membership
Cost: Free (Park admission fee applies) For enquiries and bookings, please contact Jocelyne
Registration not required at eduadmin.zoo@wrs.com.sg or 6210 5363

@ SINGAPORE ZOO & JURONG BIRD PARK

‘Train the Teachers’ Workshop (Primary Schools)

These MOE-sponsored workshops offer in-depth training
through hands-on activities and behind-the-scenes tours.
You will be equipped with knowledge and practical skills that
empower you to plan and conduct meaningful and inspiring
learning journeys at Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park.

Workshop @ Singapore Zoo: 11 – 13 April 2011 Workshop @ Jurong Bird Park: 4 – 5 April 2011
Contact: Rekha Contact: Amberly or Pei Ying
rekha.nair@wrs.com.sg or 6360 8535 amberly.chew@wrs.com.sg or 6661 7809
TRASI: 40341 peiying.ong@wrs.com.sg or 6661 7819
TRASI: 40722

@ NIGHT SAFARI

Year of the Bat

There are approximately 1,200 species of bats in the world but half of them are
facing the risk of extinction. 2011-2012 was named by the United Nations as the
Year of the Bat. Night Safari will celebrate the event with an array of interactive
and educational activities. Visit East Lodge to learn more about the lives of these
fascinating flying mammals, their diet and how echolocation helps in navigation
and hunting.

Date: 11, 12, 18 & 19 March 2011 (Fridays & Saturdays)

Time: 7.30pm - 10.00pm
Location: East Lodge (Tram Station 2)
Cost: Free for most activities (Park admission fee applies)
For enquiries, please contact Maggie at maggie.ang@wrs.com.sg or 63608667.
WILDLIFE WONDERS VOLUME 29 I PAGE 3
 FLAMINGOES are social
animals. They live in flocks, from a few to tens of thousands
individuals. In East Africa, more than one million flamingoes may
be found together. Huge flocks are indeed a spectacle, especially when
the birds display ritualised behaviour, which includes head flagging, wing
salute, twist preen and marching together as a tightly-packed flock.

When alarmed, flamingoes produce a deep, goose-like honk to alert one another.
As the birds take flight, those that are too far to hear the alarm call will be able to
receive the visual signal and follow the rest of the flock. For predators, the sheer number of
flamingoes creates a visual confusion, making it difficult to single out potential prey.