Mandai ZELP

- OBS-WRS Detailed Lesson Plan [PDF]
- OBS-WRS Programme Overview [PDF]

"Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That's the problem."

― A.A. Milne

DAY 2 PROGRAMME:

Special Interest Programme (What's In the Suitcase?) | Group Presentation | Mass Debrief

OBS -WRS Programme Overview

Day 1 Programmes

Introduction to the Singapore Zoological Gardens and History of the Zoo (~50s Read)

Props

Pictures

Process:

1. History of the zoo (Overview of all the parks)

Did you know that the Singapore zoo was not the only zoo in Singapore?

First zoo was within the grounds of Singapore Botanical Gardens in 1875. It closed in 1905 due to insufficient fund and high animal mortality rate
In 1920s and 1960s, many private zoos were established, and one of them was the Punggol Zoo!
Today, Singapore Zoo is formally known as Singapore Zoological Gardens

Opened by Dr Ong Swee law, then Chairman of the Public Utilities Board (PUB).
The Intention was to open up more of a large protected water catchment area on the island for public use but he finally decided on an idea of a zoo as there was a lack of venues for family outings at that time and domesticated animals were of novelty for Singaporeans.
The Singapore Zoo was officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Goh Keng Swee on the 27 June 1973 with 270 animals from over 72 species and only 130 staff.
The zoo adopts an “open concept” in which the animals are housed in open enclosures landscaped to resemble their natural habitats.
As time pass, many developments happened such as the highly popular breakfast with the orangutans, animal shows that were entertaining and educational. First walkthrough exhibit was the fragile forest!
The larger revamps took place after 2000, creation of the free-ranging orangutan habitat, amphitheatre, Rainforest Kidzworld and $8million frozen tundra for Inuka the polar bear
The 1st night safari also came about only in 1994.

2. Wildlife conservation and research:

26 December 1990, the zoo witnessed the birth of Inuka the 1st polar bear cub.

26% zoo’s animal species are threatened and bred!

Projects the zoo has played a big part in conservation:

Rescue of pangolin
Otter rescue

3. Education and outreach:

All funds are used to improve, upkeep the animals and improve the zoo
Programmes for families including day, night camps, workshop and behind the scenes
Volunteer programs aim to spread the conservation message

Singapore Native Wildlife (~45s read)

Props

Taxidermised specimens of: Colugo, Monitor lizard, Pangolin, Sulphur crested cockatoo and Red-eared sliders

Process:

Native wildlife

Specimens of Colugo, monitor lizards, macaque and pangolin (observed)
Share cool and conservation facts about the native wildlife and their roles in the ecosystem

Malayan Coluga

The Colugo is also called the Flying Lemur although it neither flies nor is a lemur. Being a tree dweller, it has skin between its limbs that it uses like wings to glide from tree to tree in a steady, controlled manner. The Malayan Colugo is found in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

Monitor Lizards

The most common monitor lizard s found in Singapore are the Malayan water monitor (Varanus salvator) the clouded monitor lizard (Varanus nebulous). Monitor lizards are mostly carnivorous; some also scavenge on carrion. It can be found in forests, mangrove swamps, and even man-made canals!

Long-tailed Macaques

The long-tailed macaque is the only commonly seen species of monkey in Singapore. Its population numbers some 1,500 individuals. Most dwell in and on the fringes of our rainforest nature reserves – the Bukit Timah and the Central Catchment Nature Reserves.

The long-tailed macaque in Singapore has a smaller size, different facial features and a larger tail-body ratio than others found in the neighbouring regions:

Sunda Pangolin

The Sunda Pangolin is also known as the Malayan Scaly Anteater. Its main diet consists of termites and ants. Although it usually moves on the ground, it can also climb trees and swim. The Sunda Pangolin is found in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve and Western Catchment Area. It is also found in the rural and scrub areas of Bukit Batok, and on the islands of Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong.

Invasive species that have thrived in Singapore

Major threat to Singapore’s native biodiversity termed as Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

Refers to plants, animals and micro-organisms that are accidentally or deliberately introduced to new areas outside of their native range
They reproduce and thrive in these new environments at the expense of native biodiversity
Can adversely affect native biodiversity by competing with them for resources such as food, shelter, or even through direct predation

Read more on NParks Greenspace quarterly.

Red Eared Sliders

Started with pet trade as these animals are not native to Singapore, they are originally from the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Listed as one of the worst invasive species (Global Invasive Species Database [GISD]), they can be hazardous to native species such as the River Terrapin (Batagur baska) and the Malayan Box Terrapin (Cuora amboinensis). There are many releases of the animals into reservoir areas due to the lack of education (pet responsibility).

Cockatoos

Like most urban cities in the world, we have our share of Cockatoo species flying around our parks, gardens and our estates. They are either introduced, released or escaped pet birds. As we do not have any native cockatoo species, their impact will be on our native birds that share the same food sources and nesting sites.

In this camp, we will be learning about what we as the zoo do to help with wildlife and nature conservation

How the zoo has played a big part in conservation
Health care and nutrition
Threats that wildlife face

Behind the Scene Tours (~30s read)

Props

Nil

Process:

Tours to be conducted in groups of 10 to 20 students

Areas to focus on:

see, think and wonder
more 2-way conversations
World class veterinary care and nutrition
Native wildlife
Living collections
Hands on activity (more exploration etc)

1. Wild Diet

Did you know: the total amount of leaves and grass eaten by animals at Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, and River Safari is equivalent to the weight of an elephant? Sneak a peek at the inner workings of the Wildlife Nutrition Centre, discover more amazing facts, and find out how we offer world-class nutritional care for our living collection in this behind-the-scenes tour.

Learn more about zoo nutritionist at Mothership.sg webpage.

2. Animal Hospital

Discover what it takes to meet the health demands of over 10,000 animals at the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, and River Safari! This exclusive tour of our Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre (fondly known as the Animal Hospital) lets you learn more about the incredible challenges that go into keeping our animals in the pink of health with world-class veterinary care.

Introduction to nocturnal animals and briefing (~10s read)

Props

Pictures of native wildlife (Colugo, frogs, owls, lizards, snakes)

Process:

Briefing will cover:

Safety briefing (Lumina etc)
Use your senses
Torchlight usage
Luck with wildlife spotting
Route we will be taking (Wild Africa)
Appreciation of nature
Biodiversity survey forms

Malayan Coluga

Changeable Lizard

Spotted Wood Owl

Asian Toad

Night Animal Spotting (Biodiversity Survey) (~10s read)

Props

Conservation survey forms, Head torches, Laser pointers, Pictures of native wildlife for night spotting.

Process:

Biodiversity Survey at Night

Allow the students to appreciate nature using their 5 senses

Observe spots of resident animals

Go through the usage of the survey forms with the students

Debriefing the Experience

On a scale of 1-5 how much did you enjoy this activity (5 is very much and 1 is give me back the 1 hour I spent!)
Share with the other group what you might have experienced?
Learn about the appreciation of nature and the experiencing of exploring the zoo at night!

Observing wildlife at night

Finding and counting different animal species

Zoo-facilitated Reflections (~30s read)

Props

Rope timeline with 3 marking points, Buttons, Ball, Mah-jong paper, Markers, Paper, Strings

Process:

As both Zoo and OBS believe in experiential learning it is important to reflect and to probe the thinking of the student further. Zoo will be using the EDM model (education debrief model)

1. Opening

General feel of the audience, how are you now?

2. Meaningful- Productive- Fun

Students will recreate a visual timeline using:

i. Rope, mah-jong paper and markers

ii. Segment the rope into arrival, dinner-clean up, night activity (write the words down)

3. Voting

i. Draw your favourite moment of the day and arrange them in the timeline

Paper will be given to each student

ii. Have all the students to collaborative think of what are some other parts of the day they might have forgotten

iii. Pick the activity with the most and least drawing

Asking the students why the activity has left the greatest impact on them

Now knowing all this knowledge and experiences that others might not know about, now we must think of what we should do!

4. Closing

Use 1 word to describe how you feel now?

Method: Toss the ball/The big talking button

After the end of today, this is all that we know about because now we know and are aware. Tomorrow we would like to push you further to challenge our prior knowledge and to think of a solution on how we can make the difference!

DAY 1 PROGRAMME :

DAY 2 PROGRAMME:

Special Interest Programme (What's In the Suitcase?) | Group Presentation | Mass Debrief

OBS -WRS Programme Overview

Day 2 Programmes

Special Interest Programme: What is in this suitcase? (~50s read)

Props

2 suitcases, Mah-jong papers, markers

Process:

1. Setup

Divide students into groups of 10-12 pax
2 suitcases, 4 pieces of mah-jong paper with a drawn suitcase and markers will be provided
Do not touch the suitcase until told to so.

2. Objective

To discover the content of the suitcase and to understand the impact of smuggling illegal wildlife.

3. Gameplay

Students will be given a piece of mahjong paper with an empty suitcase, they will be asked to draw the empty suitcase.

How/What would you pack your suitcase for a holiday?

Students will be given another mah-jong paper with an empty suitcase and will be asked to draw how they can smuggle a snake and a bird (from the items drawn earlier).
Compare and contrast the items (students to present the contrast)

4. The Reveal

Now this is an actual suitcase that was confiscated at the customs. Let’s explore and investigate if your smuggling methods were similar to the actual smuggling techniques.

Rules:

1. While opening the suitcase, please be very careful with the items inside.

2. They are Real smuggled items allowed under the Zoo’s supervision.

5. Questions

i. How it was done

ii. Where was the animal from?

iii. Why was it done

iv. How will they affect the native wildlife?

v. What if the animals that survive the journey got through the customs and what is next for them? They may be abandoned.

Rolled up snake skin and exotic bird eggs in luggage

Reptiles are constraint when smuggled to prevent movement

Small animals smuggled in cereal boxes

Parrots smuggled in water bottles

Caged animal smuggled in appliance box

6. Debrief: Line of Change

Arrange the rope and ask the students to cross over once they have reflected on one takeaway / learning points from the above activity.

Online Articles

Bags containing critically endangered animals abandoned at Night Safari

3 Feb 2016, Today Online

Animal trader jailed, fined for trying to smuggle into Singapore endangered species hidden in food packaging

4 Jun 2020, Today Online

Singapore authorities seize 12.7 tonnes of pangolin scales in 2nd haul within a week

10 Apr 2019, Channel News Asia

Record 8.8 tonnes of ivory worth $17.6m seized

24 Jul 2019, Straits Time Online

Discussion and Presentation (~40 s read)

Props

Mah-jong papers, markers, recycled materials

Process:

“We only have one planet and we are living like we have another.”

Discussion: How and what you can do to raise awareness?

1. Set up

Students will be divided into 4 groups
Each group will be given 4 topics to choose from:

-Protection of native wildlife

- Illegal wildlife trade

- Climate change (sustainability)

- Responsible tourist

Mah-jong paper, markers and recycled materials will be provided

2. Objective

To create a 3-minute presentation that will provide solutions and to convince the audience to play their part!

3. Gameplay

Given 5mins to ask questions and brainstorm
25mins to prepare for the presentation
Be as creative and think of how to raise awareness on the issues
To bring the solutions and importance back to school, home or among friends and family

4. Group Presentation

Each group will be given: 3 min for Presentation & 2 min for Q&A

Suggestions for probing questions:

What are some actions we can take as an individual?
What if my relative consumes medication from an endangered animal, what should I do?
What is sustainability to you? What can we do for sustainability?
How can we play our part with our Singapore’s wildlife?