Some extra notes

(Related to FF)
1.How old are the lemurs, sloths and saki monkeys at Fragile Forest? - These few questions keep getting asked by visitors.

Answer:
The sakis are Fidel (adult male) 5 yrs old, Sol (female) 3.5 yrs old and Fresco 8 mths old.

The sloths are Bosque (dominant male) 13 yrs old, Jan (other male) 6 yrs old, Alba (female) yrs old and baby is almost a year old

The R/T lemurs are Pooka (adult male) 6 yrs old, Flossie (female) 8 yrs old, Andro and Ravo both are males 1.5 yrs old

B/w ruffed lemur is Boey who is 25 yrs old coming April

2. Are stingrays native to rainforests?
Answer: Yes the stingrays are found in the Amazon Brazil

3. What are some of the enrichment given to the ring-tailed and white and black ruffed lemurs at FF?

Answer: We don’t give any enrichment to the lemurs when they are in the aviary as they are well occupied while in there but enrichments are done when they are confined. Usually the enrichments done are food-based like the puzzle box.

4. How come the lemurs, being so active etc, tend to stay only around the platform area? Don't they tend to move down towards the entrance area, huge log with snail/tarantula/rhino bettle, etc (from frog exhibit)?
Answer:
The lemurs do move all over the aviary especially the R/T lemurs. They usually hang around the observation deck (OD) area to anticipate food from keepers especially during feeding time for the bats at 9.55am, 11.30am, 2pm and 4 pm.

5. Has the sloth been ill before that you will need to pry it from the tree branch or transfer to somewhere else? How do you manage to 'lure' it towards a desired spot? Based on its anatomy, is it possible for a sloth to be carried around in a pet carrier?
Answer:
We usually restraint the sloth only for physical examination by the vet or when they have injury from fighting. Sloth like other animals will learn when and where their food is served. There is no problem in putting a sloth in a pet carrier as they can still cling to the side opening of the carrier or the meshing door.

(Related to self study)
6. More about monitor lizard and iguana
Source:
http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/verts/monitor_lizard.htm
http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/iguana.html
Answer
Iguanas live in tropical rainforest areas, generally in lower altitudes in areas near water sources, such as rivers or streams. They spend most of their time high in the forest canopy, about 40-50 feet above the ground. The green iguana is a reptile found throughout Central and South America.

Monitor lizard is commonly sighted in Singapore. Water Monitors are rarely found far from water. Both fresh and saltwater. They are particularly common in mangroves, banks of large rivers. Also found in grasslands, forests, swamps, beaches and even cultivated land.


Lastly, a synopsis of an article to think about...
Source: Maldives leader vows to make country carbon neutral on 14th March 2009

"Climate change isn’t a vague and abstract danger but a real threat to our
survival."

Mr Nasheed noted that "making the radical shift to carbon neutrality won’t be easy. But where there is a will, there is a way". He said: "People often tell me caring for the environment is too difficult, too expensive or too much bother. I admit installing solar panels and wind turbines doesn’t come cheap.

"But when I read those science reports from Copenhagen, I know there is only one choice. Going green might cost a lot but refusing to act now will cost us the Earth.

Sungei Buloh

Source:
Ecology Asia
Wildsingapore

My first time visit to Sungei Buloh...



Sungei Buloh's vision is to see that we are all part of nature's web of life.  Very true!
Oh btw, I kept asking what is the meaning of Sungei Buloh, just found out Sungei means River, Buloh means Bamboo.  It was possible that bamboo was once found here.



So we were first greeted with the Johor view...


You can find archer fish and striped-nosed halfbeak here.  Striped-nosed halfbeak has a funny mouth - the lower jaw is much longer than the upper, it is lengthened into a long needle-like beak.



There is a little hut for you to observe migratory birds... except this is not the season (it is usually in September to March).  You can see little egrets,white-collared kingfishers and others which I forgot the name already.  Oops!



I found this fruit interesting and took a picture.  Later on, I found out it is called Akar Kul.  The whole vine is pounded and the poultice (paste) rubbed on the abdomen to relieve stomachache.




Why I am fascinated by this name Api Api Puteh is probably because of the word "Puteh".  The day before, I had been asking how does Kachang Puteh got its name haha.  I still don't know other than the fact that Puteh means White.



Lots of weaver ants' nests can be found in Sungei Buloh.  My friend joked that they have many branches haha.


Saw a jellyfish too which is a bit weird because jellyfish usually can only be found in oceans and seas.  Did this jellyfish lost its way?  Google told me that it might be an Acromitus sp.

Bell about 6-8 in diameter. Each fat sausage-like oral arm has a long 'tail'. In shallow lagoons on our Northern shores. Moves in short bobs as they energetically contract their small bells. Source: Wildsingapore

Guess it is native in Sungei Buloh then.

As there were too much mosquitoes (probably after the rain) that we decided to call it a day and went to visit the Aeroponics Farm next door. Saw the passionfruit plant...


Butterhead lettuce which is made into butterhead juice, their specialty drink.  It costs SGD1.50 here for a small bottle.



and lots of gourds.. don't ask me the names, I cannot differentiate one gourd from the other... other than the snake gourd as it look too much like the snake haha...


I saw the cotton plant too.  This reminds me of the cotton tree I always see in Pasir Ris.  I finally found out its real name is Kapok or Cotton tree.

Then is lunch time... and nap time.  Thanks for the good weather!

SZ Tale 16

Hot and humid weather!


Haha almost thought I was in Bird Park after yesterday running up and down, seeing only birds...  A visitor did ask what birds are those but I could not reply.  Then did my morning tour in the biodome.  It was rather misty this morning and I quite like the effect it had on this mini stream.



Anyway arrived bright and early to clean up the glass panel and notice board. A fellow docent donated his butterfly poster (Painted Wings of Singapore).. YEAH!

One of the interesting encounter was by this Mexican about them tying a string to a cicada and letting it fly. Imagine kite-flying, except this is cicada-flying. Hmm…

Met an ex-colleague so did a biodome tour for him. Saw the ring-tailed lemurs kept running up and down the deck that visitors commented they don’t seem afraid of human. Some tourists even tried to strike a pose of “touching” the lemurs. RISKY! Previously there had been an incident of a lemur scratching a visitor already.. hmm..


Anyway after that did a part 2 tour in Pasir Ris Mangrove with the fellow docent haha. And I saw a malayan monitor lizard and crabs!! Something I never saw in my morning jog at all. Caught some butterflies too … Seen a different side of the mangrove.

Bird Tale 01

Zoo decided to hold the docents AGM in Jurong Bird Park… which is the only reason why I attended because it has been ages since I last stepped in JBP.

Supposedly meet 9am for the free breakfast (The Early Bird Breakfast) except that day seems particularly busy because it is the last weekend for those to endorse free JBP tickets. So we waited and waited… drinking finish our tea… for this pretty salty bread cum ham breakfast


Oh well one should never complain about free food. Then we headed to Tree Tops @ Flamingo Lake for our AGM which drone on and on…


End up we did not get to tour around the Discovery Centre (Mini-museum) which is said to hold the world’s largest egg, unearth the secrets of nest making and learn about feathers and flights. So disappointed. And to save time (I think), we kept taking the panorail

Shuttling 3 places:
• Main Station, near the entrance and amphitheatre
• Lory Station, near the Lory Loft
• Waterfall Station, near the Waterfall Aviary and Jurong Falls

We took from the Main Station to the Lory Station to feed the lories. Oh and I finally understood why my ex-colleague told me to take an umbrella… it is indeed danger zone. We were given special nectar mixture to entice the lories to come close to us. I think the lories are overfed that day though with the throngs of visitors.


After that, is the Lunch cum BirdPark challenge.
First stop was the Penguin Expedition to visit the penguins.


Then to Dinosaur Descendant where we were running round to find

Oscar!

The lovely Male Ostrich haha.



I felt the cassowary looks more like dino descendant because of the casque on its head.

Back to Flamingo Lake to take photo of the origami pelican (I made it!) kissing another pelican…


Last stop: WATERFALL! (African Waterfall Aviary)
It is the landmark of JBP so cannot miss. Considering I miss a lot of attractions already… so sad =(
Saw a lot of superb starling. My friend took a very lovely picture of the starling with the waterfall but I decided not to include in this blog. (Let her blog it herself =D )


Then we made our way to Fuji Hawk Walk to catch the Kings of the Skies Show. You get to see lots of birds. I particularly like the Secretary Bird.



After that we had a debrief.. then is home sweet home after a tiring day.

SZ Tale 15

A long day today because I had duty cum talk cum origami... but I loved every moment I spent in the zoo starting from the CNY decoration...

hmm hmm.. golden ox.. hmm.. hmm actually frankly speaking, the CNY decoration is not that great la hahah.. but something new =D

Then visit FF's nearest neighbour.. the Proboscis monkey (长鼻猴)..  because I promised to remember my classmate when I see monkey so I chose Proboscis monkey haha.  Aiya the baby so cute..   Ever seen the adult one?  Not that cute though so don't show u haha.  (Is my own opinion though, some people might like the special nose of this Proboscis monkey).

And my morning ritual - a visit to the biodome.  Saw this new addition.. was wondering why the flower petals decoration?  It was only after reading another docent's duty report did I realised this is another nectar plate.  So desu ne!

And I happen to meet the keeper feeding the bats/lemurs breakfast... A real treat for me too!

After that we had lunch in the newly (in some sense still new) renovated Ah Meng restaurant.  My first time eating here .. never had any memory of the old restaurant either haha.

 

Ferret Seng Seng visited us in the auditorium while waiting for the talk to begin.  You should see it when it was let on the floor... rolling itself and running about.  Super hyber active!


Ok and the crux of this post is none other than the talk
Singapore 's Green Skyscrapers by Ms Karen Teo

About the speakerMs Karen Teo is Senior Outreach Officer at the Central Nature Reserve, National Parks Board
Source: Zoo


Learnt that there are 4 nature reserves in mainland Singapore.
1) Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
2) Central Catchment Nature Reserve
3) Labrador Nature Reserve
4) Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
as well as a Nee Soon freshwater swamp, the only one left in SG.

And did you know Singapore has the highest rate of deforestation as well as species (floral and fauna) loss.  Sighz!  Oh and that primary forest usually refers to forest of minimal or no disturbance whearas Secondary forest means the forest has been disturbed before.

Based on the map, one will realise Bukit Timash Nature Reserve is very near Central Catchment Nature Reserve.  It used to be one big family too until the creation of BKE (Bukit Timah Expressway) split the nature reserve into two.  From the onwards, Bukit Timah Nature reserve becomes a small nature reserve on its own with in-breeding occuring and stray dogs being left to roam inside.  SIGH!  That is why I hate man for thinking they are the cleverest creatures in this world... can we bear the consequence now that something has gone wrong?  Can we revert the damages done?  What's loss... is lost...


The speaker reminded us that dogs, cats and other domesticated animals DO NOT belong to the forest.  Introducing them will only cause harm to the forest.  Also one should never bring out the animals in the forest just because they are cute.

I did not realise that long-tailed macaque loves to eat crabs.  And that banded-leaf monkey are highly endangered and endemic (native in SG only).  You can read more on the banded-leaf monkey here.  And this is the reason why one should never let dogs into the nature reserve, see how the last monkey suffered due to the pack of 5 dogs.

Lastly the speaker shared with us the causes of the diminishing of the nature reserve
1) too many people visiting - especially Bukit Timah and they want more car park space... so dumb...
2) walking on the sides instead of the steps.  This caused the soil to be compacted and landslide or soil erosion to occur.  That is why I hate people who step on grasses when steps are readily available.
3) littering
4) water sports causing sediment change that affects the nature reserve.
5) fishing and poaching (which includes taking anything from the nature reserve even if you are not caught)

Then to end the day with a fun filled origami activity...


About the speaker:
Ms Yuka Nakamura is a student of Zoology and Education at the University of Queensland , Australia. She is native Japanese and has been interested in origami since she was a child. Besides folding the most complicated of animals, she has also come up with some of her own origami creations. Yuka is currently on attachment with the Zoo Education Department. 
Source: Zoo

Some photos of her artwork.  More information and origami works can be found here. As for my artwork.. haha too ugly to be seen "p

SZ Tale 14

Zoo was different today because decided to do a biodome tour instead as I thought I'm on duty alone. However another docent came along, except we still decided to do tour haha (less preparation, more impromptu).

It was rainy though so less crowd. I met a lovely family of 4 from London and wife from NZ. The eldest boy had just done a rainforest project thus seeing the biodome (replicate of a rainforest) is an awesome experience for him. Pointed to them the tree kangaroo, mouse deers and lemurs. Still remember the lemur family pose - the 4 of them will huddle together on this particular branch. They did that again with tail dangling from branch tempting the boy to grab it. Of course he is refrained from doing so. Oh they also caught the lemur shitting haha. Then when one of the lemur was above me, the little boy “warned” me (Aww so sweet!).

They asked about the feeding habits for sting ray. (Wiki says "Stingrays feed primarily on mollusks, crustaceans, and occasionally on small fish.")

Last stop was the mangrove. The little girl was telling me how she got stung by a spiderfish in Italy (and freaked her mother) and how her brother got stung by a jellyfish. Haha they do travelled a lot from what I gathered.

One of the sloths was pretty active today as it was found in different spots at different times (i.e. it was exploring about). The female sloth and baby only came out during feeding time. So were the mousedeers. Unfortunately my camera seems to be unable to take a good photo of these. Manaaged to take the Red Lory though... (another active creature)



Animals not in action include the white-saki monkey (in the cage) and the butterflies (due to the droplets). Sadly….

Killer animals

Source: Australian's Women Weekly May 2008

The 10 top threats
1 Mosquitoes - up to 3 million people a year through malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever
2 Snakes - 125,000 deaths a year
3 Scorpions - paralyse prey by pumping venom through the stinger in their tails, causing 2000 fatalities a year
4 Big cats - e.g. Lions are responsible for 800 deaths a year
5 Crocodiles - these prehistoric creatures strike prey at speed, clamping their jaws onto the victim before performing a disorientating death roll, killing about 800 people a year
6 Elephants - weoghing up to seven tonnes, this herbivore kills around 500 people a year
7 Hippopotami - kill 100 to 150 people a year. They can outpace a human on land, and are also known to upturn boats and canoes
8 Box Jellyfish - sting can kill human within minutes. Causes an estimated 100 fatalities a year
9 Shark - of the 360 species of shark, only four (tiger, great white, whitetip and bull) will attack humans. They cause around 100 deaths a year
10 Bears - cause 5 to 10 fatalities each year, but the number of attacks are on the rise due to the continued destruction of their natural habitat

Wonder how's the white tiger in the zoo now...

And I wonder if human is considered in the list, what position will it be?

2 sad news

Source:
TodayOnline
SZG News

Read 2 sad news today... simply disheartening.

1. US Supreme Court ruled that US Navy can continue to use long-range sonar in exercises off the California coast, even though such acts are harmful to whales.

"Even if the plaintiffs have shown irreparable injury from the navy's training exercises, any such injury is outweighed by the public interest and the navy's interest in effective, realistic training of its sailors," the court said in a opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts.

Is war really more important than life? Is destruction really more important than protection? Why do man always value the wrong things....

2.

An incident has occurred at our white tiger exhibit today at 12.15pm. A Malaysian contract worker jumped into the moat and was attacked by one of the three white tigers.

Why did he jumped? Such a violent death.. how scary it must be for the visitors... how unfortunate for the zoo... Just when Kidzworld is having an official opening tomorrow.. Sighz

SZ Tale 13: KidzWorld

Its Kidzworld Docent preview today... and my 2nd duty.. so.. let's talk about my duty first.

Duty at the station again because manpower not alot. Interesting events do happen still. most memorable will be this recount written by my partner and duty ic of the day:

One English lady working as a nurse recognised immediately the stick insect’s eggs on display and was pleasantly surprised to see the Giant Prickly Stick Insect here. She shared with us her experiences of keeping one female given by an Australian friend as pet back home. She said the stick insect would lay one or two eggs (which are the same size as the Malayan Grey Stick Insects’ eggs) everyday all over the house and then she would have little nymphs running around.

Oh then before and after the duty, did a biodome tour.. Simply love the biodome.. one can just get lost inside. Early in the morning I caught sight of the family of ring-tailed lemurs


I Like To Move It Move It
I Like To Move It Move It
I Like To Move It Move It
Ya Like To (MOVE IT!)

Didn't realised that there is a crab in the mangrove area...


Then after the duty, the butterfly lover told me about the butterfly eggs.. so many!!


Oh and we were seeing how a mother sloth (and her baby.. aww so cute) was fighting food with the bat... As you can see, she did succeed afterall.. YEAH


Then we hurried to Kidzworld to grab our KFC lunch...


before boarding the boat. Well actually the event started since morning, just that my partner and I had duty so we could only join the last event.. the boat ride (sob sob we missed the free ben and jerry).. there are a total of 4 boats: Omar, the white tiger; Pedro, the seal; Ah Meng, the deceased orangutan and Komali, the elephant.


Sadly maybe due to the timing we took the boat, nothing much life to see.. but the scenery is beautiful.. and heard the hill myna's bird call. Oh and the boat ride is 5 bucks a ride.. hmm.. wonder when is the next time I can take the ride...

SZ Tale 12 - First FF Duty

My first FF Duty... very excited. Reached zoo at 9am and did a biodome tour first to see where are the animals so that I will know what animals are around today should I conduct a biodome tour today.

And I could just wile the whole of Sunday away, stuck in the biodome, see the animals sleeping, eating, swimming, flying, running...


Caught sight of the Tree Kangaroo.. just can't resist its cuteness... curl up the tree. Sadly I left my camera at home and had to use my handphone as substitute camera...


The black and white ruffed lemur seems so active and yet so lonely.. because its best buddy - the ring-tailed lemur is not in the biodome today.


SLOTH! SLEEPING! SO SWEETLY!
Makes me wanna sleep though... cannot, I still got duty to do. Oh and I happened to be walking around with this family and I kindly pointed the tree kangaroo and sloth to the granny haha. The little boy was trying to catch butterflies (managed to get them land on his cap later on).. and the little girl pointed 2 bird eggs to me...

Anyway duty wise, I had only manned the fixed station today. And time flies very fast when visitors just kept asking questions and children and adult just kept getting fascinated with the live specimens...

Questions asked include:

1. Tree Nymph Butterfly
How long does the caterpillar takes to become a butterfly?

>>More facts about Tree Nymph Butterfly

• Japanese Name: Ogomadara
• Scientific Name: Idea leuconoe
• Chinese Name: 大白斑蝶
  
• The larvae are known to feed on plants of the species Aganosma cymosa (Apocynaceae).
• Another species of Apocynaceae, Parsonia spiralis has also been noted as a larval host plant. By the way, parsonia is the plant used by the zoo.
• The plant alkaloids apparently have a similar structure to the male pheromones of this butterfly, so it appears that there has been an ancient evolutionarily relationship between the butterfly and its food plant.  
• The caterpillars accumulate the bitter alkaloids in their bodies, protecting them from predation.
• The tree nymph is attracted to the color red, and will land on red shirts and hats.
  Source: JapanTimes

2. Mousedeer
Someone had asked about the mousedeer describing that it look like a deer but a smaller version. She then commented they were coming up to get close to her (odd because mousedeers are supposedly very shy?). She also asked if mousedeer is related to rodent or deer. (From the internet, it is of the same order as the deer.)

3. Malayan Gray Stick Insect
A father mentioned he saw a lot of the Malayan Gray Stick Insect in Malaysia in his younger days and was fascinated with the eggs. He asked about the dried skin too but at that time, I did not know stick insect moult.