WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE AND SINGAPORE AIRLINES CARGO UNWAVERING IN COMMITTMENT TO BOOST GENE POOL THROUGH ANIMAL BREEDING PROGRAMME

 Singapore Airlines Cargo flies in Indian Rhino, the latest addition to Night Safari from USA, on 16 April 2009.

In a continuous effort to breed threatened species, Wildlife Reserves Singapore today received an Indian rhino from Oklahoma City Zoo, USA, for its animal breeding programme. The rhino, which flew in via Singapore Airlines Cargo was accompanied by a veterinarian and a keeper arrived in Singapore on April 18. The female rhino, Mary aged 19, will be quarantined for one month before it goes on exhibit.
 "Wildlife Reserves Singapore is pleased that Mary arrived safely. Singapore Airlines Cargo has been a trusted partner in transporting our precious and priceless animals to and from our parks. We are pleased to add Mary to the Indian rhino family as it will allow her to mingle, and we hope she will find the right partner in our male rhino that is currently on exhibit at the ‘Nepalese River Valley'," said Ms Fanny Lai, Group CEO Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

According to the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List, the Indian rhino is "vulnerable" meaning that it is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

"Indian rhinos are among the largest of all rhino species, similar to the white rhino.  Their natural habitat ranges include tall grasslands, alluvial plains, adjacent swamps and forests of India and Nepal. They are becoming endangered due to habitat loss, coupled with the regard in some culture that rhino horns are an aphrodisiac," said Mr Kumar Pillai, Assistant Director, Zoology, Night Safari.

In the first half of the year, WRS parks Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, have scheduled several animal exchanges with other zoos globally. This is in line with WRS' objective to raise awareness and conservation of species whose population are currently under threat. On 25 March, Night Safari received three Asian lions from Sakkarbaug Zoological Gardens, India. In exchange, Singapore Zoo sent two pairs of cheetahs on 28 March, all on Singapore Airlines Cargo.

"As a supporter of wildlife conservation, we are pleased to be a carrier and logistics partner of choice in this worthy endeavor. Our advanced B747-400 freighters, equipped with the necessary equipment to regulate temperature and cabin pressure, help towards the safe and successful delivery of these animals," said Mr Tan Tiow Kor, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, Singapore Airlines Cargo representative.

About Indian Rhino
The Indian rhino is also known as the greater one-horned rhino. Like human fingernails, the horn is made of keratin and begins to be clearly visible after six years of age. The horns of the Indian rhino has long been regarded as an aphrodisiac due mainly to the fact that male rhino spend over an hour mounting female rhino during mating. In some cultures, rhino horns are also used as traditional medicines for treating fever although it has not been scientifically proven.

The diet of the Indian rhino consists of mainly tall grass, leaves, fruit, aquatic plants, branches and cultivated crops. The rhino uses its prehensile upper lip to gather food. It is a nocturnal mammal and forage for food mainly at night or early morning to avoid the sun. Male rhinos are generally solitary except during mating.

Fully-grown females weigh about 1600kg with a height of 1.7 to 2 metres tall. Currently, there is a pair of Indian rhinos at the Night Safari. The male ‘Gurkha' is 23 and is still good for breeding and the female is 30 years old and is still a little too old to conceive. 

ABOUT WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE
Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) is the parent company of award-winning attractions Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari and Singapore Zoo. WRS parks strive to be world-class leisure attractions, providing excellent exhibits of animals and birds presented in their natural environment for the purpose of conservation, education and recreation. In 2008, Jurong Bird Park served 900,000 visitors, the Night Safari, more than 1.1 million visitors and Singapore Zoo welcomed more than 1.6 million visitors.

WRS parks have been conferred the Best Leisure Attraction Experience Award at the Singapore Tourism Awards 18 times. The record achievement affirms WRS parks' status as Singapore's premier leisure venues.

In the areas of conservation and research, WRS parks have undertaken multiple projects, which focus on species such as the oriental pied hornbill, pangolin and orang utan, through collaborations with various organisations and institutions. Recent conservation efforts include hosting a regional Asian pangolin conservation workshop. All WRS parks are designated wildlife rescue centres by the governing authority.

ABOUT NIGHT SAFARI
Night Safari, the world's first wildlife park for nocturnal animals is a seven-time winner of the Best Leisure Attraction Experience, awarded by Singapore Tourism Board. This internationally acclaimed leisure attraction embodies innovation and creativity in products and services, and service quality, thus attracting more than 1.1 million visitors yearly. Over 1,000 animals from 115 species (of which almost 30% are threatened) inhabit the 40-hectare park.

In line with its mission to promote biodiversity, the park focuses on the captive breeding of threatened species. Over the years, it has bred Malayan tigers, Asian elephants, fishing cats, red dholes, anoas, markhors, bantengs and Malayan tapirs, among other endangered species.

A visitor's experience at Night Safari is not limited to animals but extends to experiential dining segments with the park's award winning Gourmet Safari Experience, where visitors dine onboard a tram traversing the eight geographical zones. The park can be explored either on foot via three walking trails, or by tram.  Night Safari is part of Wildlife Reserves Singapore and is a designated wildlife rescue centre by the governing authority.  

ABOUT SINGAPORE ZOO
Set in a rainforest environment, Singapore Zoo's world famous "Open Concept" offers the opportunity to experience and be inspired by the wonders of nature. Home to over 2,500 specimens from 315 species, 16% of which are threatened, the Zoo has attained a strong reputation internationally for its conservation initiatives and breeding programmes. To better meet the healthcare needs of its animals and working towards its aspiration to become a leading global centre of excellence for veterinary healthcare and research, a purpose-built Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre was set up in March 2006. In 2008, 1.6 million visitors enjoyed the experiential learning experience at the 28-hectare award-winning Zoo. Singapore Zoo is part of Wildlife Reserves Singapore. The Zoo is designated a wildlife rescue centre by the governing authority. 

ABOUT SIA CARGO
Singapore Airlines Cargo Pte Ltd is the world's fourth largest international cargo airline, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA). On July 1, 2001, Singapore Airlines Cargo assumed the entire cargo operations of SIA and commenced business as an all-cargo airline. 

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