World Wildlife Day: Cuties Born In Our Wildlife Parks During COVID-19

Janelle Yong
Tue, 02 Mar 2021 00:00:00 Z

Ok, maybe not all of them are cute.

PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM/@WRS.IG

Despite the general chaos of 2020, the year wasn't all bad. While we've been grappling with COVID-19 and social distancing measures, our animals at Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) parks have seen the arrival of several newborns.

To celebrate World Wildlife Day today (4 Mar), check out these adorable babies:

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1. Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo

Name: None yet

Gender: Male

Born: 4 February 2020

First up, meet this adorable, as-yet-unnamed tree kangaroo joey, who was born to proud parents Nupela and Makaia in early February this year. Starting out the size of a jellybean, the joey has graduated to spending more and more time out of Mama Nupela's pouch – and roughhousing with mummy instead!

PHOTO: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

2. Red Ruffed Lemurs (yes, more than one!)

Names: None yet

Gender: Unknown

Born: 22 February 2020

Born to proud parents Bosco and Minnie, these tiny lemur twins are a true miracle birth – especially considering the last red ruffed lemur to be born in Singapore Zoo was their father Bosco, who was born here 11 years ago.

On top of that, getting red ruffed lemurs to reproduce is notoriously tough, as they only mate once (!) per year, during which the females are only fertile for one out of the few days that they're sexually receptive.

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3. Malayan Tapir

Name: Bintang

Gender: Male

Born: 28 June 2020

He may be young, but this cutie has already stolen our hearts. Aptly named Bintang, which means "star" in Malay, this tapir is the first male calf born at Night Safari in almost a decade. Over the last few months, Bintang has grown from an adorable baby to an adventurous calf who enjoy taking dips in the kiddy pool and exploring the great outdoors of his exhibit (under the watchful eye of Mama Satki, of course).

PHOTO: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

4. Celebes Crested Macaque

Name: Joyo

Gender: Male

Born: July 2020 (Exact date unknown)

This close-knit family of Celebes crested macaques recently welcomed baby Joyo into their troupe. Joyo, whose name is an Indonesian moniker meaning "victorious", joined Mama Dewi, Papa Doni, big bro Agung and (honourary) aunt Ria in early July, just as crowds began returning to Singapore Zoo after the end of Circuit Breaker. These social creatures form tight family units, and Joyo can often be seen snuggling with Dewi and Ria during grooming sessions.

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5. Manatee

Name: None yet

Gender: Male

Born: August 2020 (Exact date unknown)

Manatees are the epitome of ugly cute, and this nameless newborn calf is no different. Born to River Safari icon Canola, who was also born here in 2014 and hand-raised by River Safari aquarists, the male calf has recently begun eating solid foods, preferring sweet potato leaves and cabbage above other veggies.

The Lion City’s First Cub by Assisted Reproduction
Thanks to advancements in assisted reproduction technology and the perseverance of vets and keepers at Singapore Zoo’s Wildlife Health and Research Centre, we’re proud to share the first-ever African lion cub conceived by assisted reproduction in the Lion City. In celebration of his heritage, the little one was named Simba, which means ‘lion’ in Swahili. Watch to find out Simba's story. *Some footage were filmed prior to the implementation of safe management measures and wearing of masks became mandatory.
Posted by Wildlife Reserves Singapore on Tuesday, January 19, 2021

6. African Lion

Name: Simba

Gender: Male

Born: 23 October 2020

If you're a lion called Mufasa, and your offspring is not called Simba, that would just be wrong. The Singapore Zoo welcomed this little lion cub that was conceived using a method that we can only describe as, um, jialat. Zookeepers and veterinarians had to collect sperm via electro-ejaculation from the geriatric male lion, which was humanely euthanised after the procedure. Mufasa's health was deteriorating, so we guess his was a happy ending, so to speak.

Just a pair of twins to commemorate the last day of the 2nd month of the year !!! \ud83e\udd7a✌️
Posted by Wildlife Reserves Singapore on Saturday, February 27, 2021

7. Malayan Tiger

Name: None yet

Gender: Males

Born: 27 December 2020

Last month, Wildlife Reserves Singapore announced that a pair of Malayan Tiger cubs was born at our Night Safari in Dec 2020. Their parents are Intan and Bongsu. This marks the first successful birth of a critically endangered big cat species at WRS. *sniff sniff* With only an estimated population of 150 in the wild, the birth of twin cubs is a significant addition to the population of the endangered sub-species, said WRS.

Over 100 new chicks on the block!
Meet our newest residents! Jurong Bird Park has hatched over 100 precious new chicks since the start of 2020, including a pair of critically endangered red-fronted macaws. Look out for the tiny bald chicks and striking feathered fledglings at the park's Breeding & Research Centre!
Posted by Wildlife Reserves Singapore on Wednesday, July 22, 2020

8. A lot of birds

Last but not least, our feathered friends at Jurong Bird Park have thrived this year, with over 100 chicks hatching since the start of 2020. This includes hatchlings from various endangered species such as blue-eyed cockatoos (last hatched in Singapore four years ago), red-fronted macaws, yellow-backed chattering lories (eight of them, in fact!), white cockatoos and black-faced spoonbills.