Night Safari

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The Night Safari (Chinese: 夜间野生动物园) is the world's first nocturnal zoo and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore, constructed at a cost of S$63 million. It was officially opened on 26 May 1994 and the zoo occupies 40 hectares (0.4 km²). Unlike traditional nocturnal houses, which reverse the day-night cycle of animals so they will be active by day, the Night Safari is an entire open-air zoo set in a humid-tropical forest that is only open at night. It is divided into eight geographical zones, which can be explored either on foot via three walking trails, or by tram. The walking trails there are named the Fishing Cat, Forest Giants & Leopard Trail. An interesting highlight is the Bat Mangrove Walk at Leopard Trail. The number of animals that can be observed at this safari park are 120, of which 72% are endangered species. 900,000 tourists per year visit the Park.

The animals of the Night Safari, ranging from Indian rhino to tarsiers, are made visible by lighting that resembles moonlight (filmic blue). Although it is brighter than full moonlight by a few orders of maginitude, it is dim enough not to disturb nocturnal and crepuscular animals' behaviour. Exhibits in the safari come from South America and other parts of Asia. The naturalistic enclosures simulate the animals' native habitat. Animals are separated from visitors with natural barriers, rather than caged, similar to the Singapore Zoo's open concept.