Singapore Zoo opens petting zoo and water maze in new KidzWorld zone

Singapore Zoo’s ongoing commitment to providing children and their families with educational animal encounters has seen the leading attraction open its new KidzWorld zone.

Featuring a petting zoo and water maze, the one-hectare “living classroom”, has been designed to spark and grow love for animals, wildlife and nature, building on the strengths of the Zoo’s previous Rainforest KidzWorld (2009) and Children’s World (1991).

Speaking at last week’s opening, Mandai Wildlife Group Chief Executive, Mike Barclay stated “our new children’s experience zone focuses on delivering a world-class petting zoo, combined with a wide array of play and adventure activities.

“We firmly believe that zoos play a pivotal role in instilling a love and respect for nature through meaningful interactions with animals and other nature-based learning experiences. Our aspiration is that developing an affinity for nature will fire up the next generation to become nature stewards who will act for a world where people and wildlife can thrive together.”

KidzWorld is also Home of the Ranger Buddies, an ‘edutainment’ program aimed at nurturing every child to become responsible global citizens.

With the newly soft-launched Ranger Buddies Quest that features unique interactive park experiences, children may set out from the Base Camp on physical missions to visit outposts, equipped with smart binoculars and a companion app.

There are three outposts in KidzWorld where children can discover more about animal health, animal care and animal nutrition. Quest missions and outposts will be gradually added in the coming months and will take the Ranger Buddies on adventures in Singapore Zoo and River Wonders.

In preparing the 250 animal residents (from 30 species) including the Axis Deer, Sulcata Tortoises and ferrets for the move to their new home, the Zoo’s Animal Behaviour and Programs team started conditioning them in June 2023. The mini migration took place on 21st October 2023 - the horses and dogs walked over to KidzWorld without a hitch, while the deer, chickens and ducks voluntarily entered crates with assistance from their trainers who offered treats as rewards which helped the transition to be as seamless as possible.

The launch of the new KidzWorld is a culmination of the Golden ZOObilee celebrations that saw over 330,000 guests visit Singapore Zoo since May 2023 to enjoy events and activities like the ART-ZOO Happy ZOObilee Party, Backstage Pass: Incredible Invertebrates tour and the Mandai Wildlife Run.

Images: Children interact animals including goats and pigs in the new KidzWorld zone (top), Ranger Buddies Base Camp (middle) and the water play feature at KidzWorld (below). Credit: Mandai Wildlife Group.