One of the world’s rarest monkeys to make Singapore debut in new wildlife park
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The Karsts at Rainforest Wild Asia offer different vantage points from which visitors can spot the Francois langurs.
PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP
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SINGAPORE – Wildlife lovers can soon see one of the world’s rarest monkeys, the Francois’ langur, for the first time in Singapore at Rainforest Wild Asia, which opens in March 2025.
The monkey, which is native to China and Vietnam, is classified as endangered in the Red List of Threatened Species compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which is a conservation group.
There are only about 2,000 of these monkeys remaining in the wild, according to a 2024 BBC report.
Mandai Wildlife Group said on Nov 7 that Rainforest Wild Asia will be the new home to the Francois’ langur in Singapore and the endangered Philippine spotted deer, which are among 29 animal species at the park.
The fifth wildlife park under the group will also have 7,000 South-east Asian trees and shrubs planted to supplement the existing protected patches of rainforest.
The size of the park – 13ha, or about 20 football fields – will allow tigers, sun bears, tapirs and langurs to roam through habitats like rainforests and caves.
Mandai Wildlife Group group chief executive officer Mike Barclay said the park’s 10 different zones will offer visitors different levels of adventure as they explore the immersive rainforest setting.
They could stroll along wheelchair-friendly walkways, explore forest trails closer to the ground or go higher up near the canopy where they can climb, jump and abseil in safety harnesses.
“This immersive design gives our guests the chance to witness how different animals thrive in distinct rainforest settings. Most importantly, we hope to create strong feelings of connection to nature and a renewed determination to cherish and protect our planet,” Mr Barclay said.
The park is the fifth wildlife park under Mandai Wildlife Group.
PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP
Over at The Karsts, visitors can watch the Francois’ langurs swinging and leaping at the canopy that has jagged limestone formations.
Visitors can also see Malayan tigers at the Rock Cascade, and the Javan langur and red-shanked douc langur at The Canopy.
The park will also feature chambers called The Cavern, which are inspired by Mulu Caves, a Unesco World Heritage site in Sarawak, Malaysia.
The Cavern is inspired by Mulu Cave, the Unesco World Heritage site in Sarawak, Malaysia.
PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP
Created with the Sarawak Forestry Department, the chambers feature re-creations of the ancient rock formations, which were digitally scanned by a design team at Mulu Caves.
Visitors can choose between a subterranean walkway and a path to see racer snakes and giant black scorpions.
Besides Rainforest Wild Asia, an eco-resort called Mandai Rainforest Resort
Mandai Wildlife Group said the next phase will see the opening in the coming years of Rainforest Wild Africa, which is inspired by the landscapes of the Afro-Tropical region and Madagascar.
