The Singapore Zoo turns 40 years old on June 27 this year, and wants to share the joy with visitors young and old.

From March till the end of the year, Singaporeans and Permanent Residents turning 40 years old who visit during their birthday month will get a discount of 40 per cent on their admission ticket and tickets for four friends.

Visitors whose birthday's fall exactly on the zoo's birthday of June 27 1973 can attend the zoo's birthday party on the day and will be taken on a special tour. To participate, they have to contact the zoo at corpcomms.szg@wrs.com.sg

Activities have also been planned for children over the weekend of March 16 and 17, during the school holidays.

Built just years after Singapore's independence, the Singapore Zoo now attracts more than 1.7 million visitors every year. It is home to more than 2,800 specimens and 300 species, over a quarter of which are threatened.

Ms Claire Chiang, chairman of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which manages the zoo, said: "Generations of Singaporeans have walked the paths of Singapore Zoo since we opened in 1973...many visited first as schoolchildren, then as adults with their own families. We are honoured to be a part of Singapore life, and we do hope that our visitors will continue the tradition of introducing their children, and even grandchildren, to the wonders of wildlife."