The Singapore Zoo turned 40 on Thursday and to mark its birthday, the wildlife park is offering a 40 per cent discount on admission for Singaporeans and permanent residents throughout the month of July. The usual admission prices are $22 for adults and $14 for children aged three to 12.

The 26ha park celebrated its birthday with a party and cake-cutting ceremony attended by former Singapore president, Mr S R Nathan, as well as members of the public.

Ms Claire Chiang, chairman of Wildlife Reserves Singapore which owns the park, said that going forward, the zoo will continue with their conservation and breeding efforts. "As our world continues to urbanise, we have an even more important and urgent task at hand of educating the public to appreciate, protect and secure the future of our most valuable assets - wildlife - because once gone, we won't get to enjoy that anymore," she said.

The zoo, which attracts over 1.7 million visitors annually, first opened its doors on June 27 1973 with a collection of 272 animals from 72 species. Currently there are over 2,800 animals from over 300 species.