Latest news with #MandaiWildlifeGroup
AsiaOne
6 days ago
- Science
- AsiaOne
Singapore Zoo breeds critically endangered Philippine crocodile for the first time, Singapore News
A rare Philippine crocodile has hatched at the Singapore Zoo in June, the first of its species to be successfully bred in captivity in South-east Asia, announced Mandai Wildlife Group. Breeding the critically endangered croc species is no easy task — the reptiles can show aggressive behaviour towards each other especially during mating season and must be carefully paired up. Efforts began in 2022, after Philippine crocodile pair Reginald and Delilah were genetically matched and transferred to the Singapore Zoo from Denmark's National Aquarium. The programme kicked-off after the 11-year-old freshwater crocs were transferred to a new and improved habitat that includes a pond with adjustable dividers and enhanced heat and light conditions. Delilah started to nest, and Reginald was observed guarding the nest alongside Delilah. The animal care team then decided that any eggs laid will be artificially intubated to maximise their chances of survival, as it would allow precise control over temperature and humidity and minimise disturbance. The first clutch of eggs was retrieved on March 15 and incubated at 31.5 deg C. Visual checks and candling — a process using light to monitor blood vessels and banding around the eggs — were conducted regularly to assess fertility and development. Despite the "optimal conditions", only one of two fertile eggs successfully hatched on June 10, said the group. The female hatchling has begun feeding on small fish and crickets and is settling well in an off-exhibit area. Nearly 20 reptile hatchings from April to June Including the baby Philippine crocodile, Singapore Zoo welcomed nearly 20 younglings, such as two critically endangered painted terrapins which were born on April 29 after nearly a decade of trying. Mandai Wildlife Group said the adult terrapins had been similarly relocated to a new habitat, and their diets were also adjusted to focus on leafy vegetables and grass. The female baby terrapins are developing well in a private space and have started eating sweet potato leaves and bok choy. Singapore Zoo also successfully hatched three Chinese leopard geckos for the first time on May 27, and June 24 and 25. And 13 western gaboon vipers were born on May 12, the first in about a decade. Their breeding is triggered by seasonal changes, which the animal team replicated through a misting schedule mimicking dry and wet periods. Curator Luke Harding said many of these hatching species are "notoriously difficult to breed in human care", and reflect the dedication, skill, and persistence of the animal care and veterinary teams. "Breeding the Philippine crocodile outside its native range and being one of the few zoos globally to hatch the painted terrapin are milestones we truly don't take for granted," he added. The zoo is also expecting hatchings of New Caledonia giant geckos and the critically endangered Annam leaf turtles, also known as the Vietnamese pond turtle, said the group. The eggs are being incubated and closely monitored given the conservation significance of the turtles, with only around 50 remaining in the wild. [[nid:718477]]
Straits Times
6 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
Singapore Zoo celebrates reptile baby boom, including endangered species
Find out what's new on ST website and app. SINGAPORE – The Singapore Zoo welcomed nearly 20 young reptiles between April and June 2025, including the first successful hatchings of the Philippine crocodile and Chinese leopard gecko, both critically endangered species. The new additions include two painted terrapins, t hree Chinese leopard geckos and 13 wester n gaboon vipers. In a media release on J uly 17 , Mandai Wildlife Group said these breeding milestones support efforts within the international zoo community to maintain healthy, genetically diverse populations under human care. Curator of animal care (operations) Luke Harding said: 'Behind each successful hatching is a journey of perseverance, trial, and careful planning. Many of these species are notoriously difficult to breed in human care. That's why seeing them thrive is incredibly rewarding and meaningful for us.' As of June 2025, th e Singapore Zoo is home to about 80 reptile species, more than half of which are threatened. Across the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which includes five wildlife parks, there are over 100 reptile species. Opened in 2017, RepTopia houses reptiles and amphibians from four geographical zones and features a viewing gallery that lets visitors peek into its working hatchery. The Philippine crocodile hatchling is the result of a careful breeding programme involving a pair named Reginald and Delilah, which arrived from National Aquarium Denmark in 2022 . The species is notoriously difficult to breed due to its aggressive nature, especially during mating season. To encourage pairing, the zoo relocated the 1 1-year -olds to a newly designed habitat with visual barriers, varied terrain, and a pond with adjustable dividers. Improved heating and lighting helped regulate the crocodiles' body temperatures and hormone levels. Delilah was soon observed nesting, and keepers decided to artificially incubate the eggs to increase their chances of survival. Tw o eggs w ere fertile. After weeks of monitoring and candling - a process using light to check development - one female successfully hatched on J une 10. She has since started feeding on small fish and crickets, and is growing well in an off-exhibit area. Another breakthrough cam e on April 2 9 with the hatching of two painted terrapins, also critically endangered. The zoo's herpetology team had worked nearly a decade to create the right conditions, relocating the adults to a new habitat with better basking spots, secluded nesting areas, and a diet rich in leafy greens. The hatchlings, both female, are now feeding on bok choy and sweet potato leaves. Both the Philippine crocodile and painted terrapin are listed as ASAP species, animals identified by the IUCN Species Survival Commission's Asian Species Action Partnership as requiring urgent conservation attention. The programme is hosted by Mandai Nature, the conservation arm of Mandai Wildlife Group. RepTopia also recorded its first successful hatching of Chinese leopard geckos, with three eggs producing healthy hatchlings on M ay 27, Jun e 24 and June 25. The eggs were incubated at temperatures between 23 and 26 deg C. A size comparison of a little Chinese leopard gecko and $2 note. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP The geckos, now active and feeding, sport dark bodies with white bands and bright orange eyes. On May 12, the zoo welcomed 13 western gaboon vipers, the first such births in about 10 years. To encourage breeding, the team simulated seasonal changes using a misting schedule and reduced the female's feeding frequency. Gaboon vipers have a broad head that resembles a fallen leaf. In the wild, this helps them blend in with the leaf litter on the forest floor. PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE RESERVE The species gives birth to live young, known as ovoviviparity, and this clutch included five males and eight females. The snakes, venomous from birth, have the longest fangs of any venomous species. 'These hatchings provide valuable opportunities for research and knowledge sharing,' said Mr Harding. 'They deepen our understanding of species care and support collaborative breeding efforts among zoos globally.' The successes follow a record year for Mandai parks in 2024, which saw close to 1,000 animal births across 143 species , including 34 that are threatened. Among them were golden mantella frogs and poison dart frogs, both bred in carefully controlled environments. More hatchlings may be on the way. Eggs from New Caledonia giant geckos and the critically endangered Annam leaf turtle, with fewer than 50 left in the wild, are currently being incubated.
Malay Mail
14-07-2025
- Science
- Malay Mail
Wildlife on ice: Singapore freezing animal cells in bid to preserve native life
SINGAPORE, July 14 — Heard of seed banks? Singapore is now making a similar preservation facility but for animal cells. The Straits Times reported on Singapore's own Noah's Ark of sorts, that will house frozen cells and tissues of South-east Asian animals. Mandai Wildlife Group, manager of Singapore's five wildlife parks, uses special cooling technology to keep the frozen cells viable. After the cells are thawed, they will be able to replicate and grow. So far Mandai's conservation arm — Mandai Nature — has successfully banked the live cells of 10 bird species including the endangered lilac-crowned amazon, milky stork and Bali myna. This kind of effort is called biobanking, a means of preserving and storing biological material from living matter whether flora or fauna and most often utilizing cryopreservation where samples are kept in sub-zero temperatures, frozen. Mandai Nature CEO Sonja Luz has stated that the biobanks' main goal is conservation. She told ST: 'For now, our aim is to collect, freeze and store as many samples as possible to create a safety net for some of the most threatened species of our region. Our goal is conservation, and nothing but that.'
Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
Cryo-conservation: How animal cells in cold storage can help with wildlife protection in S'pore
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A researcher from Mandai Wildlife Group holding up a tray of cultured cells extracted from a cold-blooded animal. SINGAPORE - Singapore is building a 'Noah's Ark' of South-east Asian animals, and its collection – housed at two locations here – is slowly swelling with the region's mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. These repositories of life at the NUS Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and Mandai Wildlife Reserve contain just traces of these animals. Their cells and tissues, stored at sub-zero temperatures, can help researchers better understand these species, contributing to their conservation. Special cooling technologies used by Mandai Wildlife Group, which manages Singapore's five wildlife parks, can even keep these cells alive. When such cells are thawed, they can continue to grow and replicate. This paves the way for novel applications of technology like in-vitro fertilisation. Far into the future, researchers could potentially use this to bring extinct animals back to life, although there are no plans to do so for now. In January, Mandai Nature – the conservation arm of Mandai Wildlife Group – achieved a breakthrough: Researchers there successfully banked the live cells of 10 species of birds. These include the critically endangered Bali myna, and endangered lilac-crowned amazon and milky stork. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys World Deal or no deal? EU faces critical decision in response to Trump's latest tariff salvo Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up Sport Two participants injured after another breached safety protocol during Pesta Sukan archery event Asia Mahathir discharged from hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering Singapore Medics treat 7 after blaze at HDB block lift lobby in Chai Chee Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons Previously, only live mammalian cells were effectively banked in the Republic's wildlife parks. Dr Sonja Luz, chief executive of Mandai Nature, said this marks the latest addition to Singapore's conservation toolkit. By shelving away the cells of threatened species, the odds of saving them in the future – should their natural population continue to dwindle – may significantly improve, she said. The promise of biobanking Biobanking is the storage and preservation of biological material from animals, plants and other forms of living matter. It is most often done through cryopreservation, where samples are kept frozen at sub-zero temperatures. One of the earliest biobanks opened during the American Civil War in 1862, in Washington's Army Medical Museum. Back then, the biobank – which mostly held the amputated limbs and diseased organs of humans – was used to expand the understanding of disease and war injuries, and develop measures to better care for American soldiers. Biobanking gained traction internationally in the late 1990s with the advent of the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories, the world's first global biobanking society. In the last few decades, there has been an exponential rise in the burden of chronic diseases. Biobanking allowed researchers to keep records of the changes in genes and proteins affiliated with different conditions. As biobanking technology became cheaper and more accessible, the scientific community started to recognise the potential for applying it outside of the medical realm. Conservationists, in particular, started to take notice. With a third of the planet's flora and fauna being threatened by extinction, these repositories serve as valuable homes for the tissue and genetic material of endangered species. Singapore got its first conservation biobank in 2009. The result of a collaboration between the National University of Singapore and Mandai Wildlife Group, then known as Wildlife Reserves Singapore, the biobank focused on storing dead cells and tissues for research. The biobank at NUS Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum houses approximately 33,400 samples of animals cells and tissue. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Today, that biobank is helmed by the university's Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. It houses approximately 33,400 samples from invertebrates like molluscs, and vertebrates such as mammals and birds. Currently, its samples span 3,283 species. Mr Marcus Chua, the museum's mammal curator, said its mammalian specimens are mainly sourced from animal carcasses, such as roadkill. Some faecal samples – including those of the critically endangered Raffles' banded langur, a type of primate – are also stored, said Mr Foo Maosheng, who oversees the museum's insect and cryogenic collections. The samples are used mainly for research. 'If we're trying to find out what the Raffles' banded langurs are eating, for example, we can compare their faecal samples to the genetic material of different plants, to see which trees they feed on,' said Mr Foo. Mr Chua added: 'Any kind of material stored in the cryogenic collection can be pulled out for research, rather than going out to the field to collect them again.' In February 2018, a group of otter researchers from Singapore, Brazil and the US approached the museum for a loan of tissues of Singapore's two otter species – the smooth-coated otter and Asian small-clawed otter – in the hope of studying their genetic data. Researchers can also use biobank data to solve wildlife crime. For example, investigators looking to trace the origins of a wild animal trafficked into Singapore could cross-reference international databases to find out where it could have come from, given that sufficient countries maintain such databases. Growing conservation potential Singapore's biobanking initiative was further developed in 2012 when giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia arrived in Singapore. These bears do not breed well in captivity, so Mandai set up its own biobanking facility to store the semen of the male panda for artificial insemination. During the process, which takes place in a laboratory, the team places banked sperm together with oocytes, or cells from the ovary. Should the two successfully combine to yield a fertilised egg, it can then be transferred into the uterus or cervix of the female panda. For cells to continue to be viable after they are thawed, they must be cryopreserved in a special way – by adding anti-freeze. This prevents the formation of ice crystals during the freezing process, which would rip up the banked cells and render them unviable, said Dr Oz Pomp, lab head at Mandai Nature. Following the success at preserving panda sperm, the Mandai team started collecting sperm samples from other animals, said Dr Luz. 'Over time, it became more clear that there are other opportunities to biobanking than just blood and gametes,' she added. The wildlife parks also offer Mandai's veterinary team access to rare and threatened species, from which valuable samples can be obtained. Dr Luz said: 'Zoos house many species that are on the brink of extinction. This has sparked discussions in the conservation community around how we can do what botanical gardens have been doing for hundreds of years – start banking genetic material.' With more wildlife species being pushed to the brink of extinction owing to habitat loss or poaching, the race is on to preserve their genetic data before they are gone forever, said Dr Luz. 'We have a lot of 'little too late' scenarios, where we're down to the last few individuals,' she said. By then, the organisms remaining in the wild may have limited genetic diversity, and may be less equipped to survive crises such as disease outbreaks. 'But if we started banking earlier, we would have a better chance to save some of these species, like the northern white rhino, Yangtze giant softshell turtle and saola,' Dr Luz added. For this to happen, biobanking must be done by zoological institutions with access to different animals. But not all of them may have the resources or capacity to start building such banks. The process of extracting and banking cells is ethical, said Dr Luz, as long as the methodologies applied are non-invasive and appropriate, and no animal suffers. Mandai has been experimenting with developing new ways of obtaining cells that can be easily replicated without specialised equipment, said Dr Xie Shangzhe, vice-president of veterinary healthcare at Mandai Wildlife Group. For example, the research team found a way to obtain animal cells from subcutaneous fat found right under the skin. This allows veterinarians to collect sterile cell samples with just a needle – an improvement from the past where samples were taken from animal skin, which is dirtier and more prone to contamination. Once samples are contaminated, their integrity may be compromised, making it difficult to utilise them. Mandai has also begun developing techniques to extract other types of cells from live animals, including non-mammalian species. The team found success in growing fibroblasts, or cells that contribute to the formation of connective tissue, from fallen pin feathers, which are the developing feathers of birds. Dr Xie said: 'These breakthroughs by Mandai, they are simple things that scientists in other parts of the region can replicate easily. 'Things like getting feathers or fat – doing a few simple steps to get something that can be banked – I think this is what makes our work unique.' Promises and perils Now, inspired by stem-cell research developments in humans, conservationists are also looking into their potential to prevent animals from going extinct. A group of cells known as induced pluripotent stem cells are especially powerful as they can be differentiated into a variety of cell types, such as sperm and eggs. In 2020, Mandai's research team successfully reprogrammed extracted live skin cells from the North Bornean orangutan into induced pluripotent stem cells. (From left) Dr Oz Pomp, Dr Xie Shangzhe and Dr Sonja Luz oversee biobanking efforts at Mandai's wildlife parks. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Most cells have a finite capability to proliferate, and stop multiplying after a few divisions, said Dr Pomp. But induced pluripotent stem cells can proliferate forever, allowing conservationists to 'make as much material as needed', added Dr Pomp, a stem-cell biologist who in October 2024 joined Mandai Nature to apply his skills to wildlife protection. Moreover, the ability of the pluripotent stem cell to differentiate into different cell types opens up new avenues for preventing extinction. 'Previous studies in mice have shown that it is possible to generate sperm and egg from the same individual – from the same male, for example,' Dr Pomp said. 'It's just a matter of time until we can tailor this technology to other species as well.' The future of banked material How these banked samples are used needs to be more deeply considered, said the conservationists. De-extinction, or the process of resurrecting a species that has died out, is one such example, said the museum's Mr Chua. In April, Dallas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences made news when it announced it had created three 'dire wolf' pups , an extinct creature that roamed North America more than 10,000 years ago. The firm had extracted and sequenced DNA from fossilised dire wolf remains, and then compared it against the genome of the modern grey wolf. It then edited some of the wolf's genes so that it outwardly resembled its ancient counterpart. But many researchers were sceptical of the claim. Said Mr Chua: 'At what point do you edit enough that it becomes a dire wolf? 50-50? Or 51 per cent? For now, it's a wolf hybrid, basically.' On July 9, the firm announced its next project: attempting to resurrect the extinct South Island giant moa, a 3.6m-tall flightless bird that once lived on the South Island of New Zealand, but vanished around 600 years ago. De-extinction projects can be costly. Given that biodiversity loss is taking place at unprecedented rates, the decision to invest money in trying to de-extinct species, rather than save living ones, may also raise eyebrows, Mr Chua said. Mandai's Dr Luz said: 'For now, our aim is to collect, freeze and store as many samples as possible to create a safety net for some of the most threatened species of our region. Our goal is conservation, and nothing but that.' Singapore's biobanking efforts are not unlike saving for a rainy day. Just like how the animals were led two by two onto Noah's Ark to assure their continued existence after a flood, so, too, do the samples in Singapore's biobanks represent a lifeline for species on the brink of extinction. Hopefully, it is one that would never need to be used.
Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Science
- Straits Times
Fact or fiction: Can freezing animal cells help bring species back if they go extinct?
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Frozen cell and tissue samples of flora and fauna are stored in cryopreservation vats at the NUS Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. SINGAPORE - Biobanking is the preservation of biological material from animals, plants and other living matter, often via storage at sub-zero temperatures. Though initially used for clinical research, biobanks have recently been used as a tool for wildlife conservation. Singapore has two conservation biobanks , which are overseen by the NUS Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and Mandai Wildlife Group. Science fiction films like Jurassic Park allude to the potential of using the genetic information of extinct animals to bring them back to life. The Straits Times spoke with the museum's scientists to dispel some common myths about the technology. Mr Marcus Chua is the museum's mammal curator, while Mr Foo Maosheng oversees its insect and cryogenic collections. Myth: Freezing tissues and cells to below 0 deg C will prevent them from degrading. Fact: Degradation stops only in samples kept at or below minus 130 deg C, with most cryopreservation vats set to minus 180 deg C or lower. Cellular activity ceases at these ultra-low temperatures, hence preserving the integrity of proteins, genetic material and other cell components stored within the vats. If samples are stored in fridges set to minus 20 or minus 80 deg C, degradation is slowed, but will still occur. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys World Deal or no deal? EU faces critical decision in response to Trump's latest tariff salvo Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up Sport Two participants injured after another breached safety protocol during Pesta Sukan archery event Asia Mahathir discharged from hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering Singapore Medics treat 7 after blaze at HDB block lift lobby in Chai Chee Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons Myth: It does not matter how cells and tissues are frozen, as long as they are brought to sub-zero temperatures. Fact: The freezing process can cause damage to the fragile biological tissue, for example, when ice crystals form, so care must be taken to ensure the genetic information remains intact. The museum follows a rapid freezing protocol, where small tubes of samples are directly dipped into liquid nitrogen, then stored within cryopreservation vats. This method of flash freezing leads to much tinier ice crystals, minimising the damage to the cells' integrity. For Mandai Wildlife Group, it also has to ensure that the stored cells remain viable, meaning that they can continue to grow and replicate after they are thawed. Key to this is preventing the formation of ice crystals, which could damage DNA or tissues. Keeping samples at higher temperatures could cause ice crystals to form. Anti-freeze is also added during the freezing process to prevent ice crystals from forming. More on this topic Coral frozen in time throws lifeline for Great Barrier Reef Myth: The applications of biobanking are mostly for research. Fact: Biobanking yields very tangible, real-world benefits in the realm of conservation. One example is if you want to re-introduce a species that is extirpated – extinct in a geographical region – and are looking for a source of individuals to introduce. If you have a banked sample of the animal's cells or tissues, you can pull it out and find its genetic stock, then go out and find the closest related ones in the wild. Myth: This technology can be used to bring extinct animals back to life, like in Jurassic Park. Fact: This could be possible with further developments in stem cell technology, although researchers say it would require careful consideration of the ethics involved in biobanking. Efforts to de-extinct species – or bring back animals no longer in existence today – are often costly, and consume money and resources which could otherwise be funnelled to other causes, such as conserving currently endangered species. Whether or not organisms are indeed 'brought back to life' by de-extinction initiatives is also highly debated. An example of this was when Dallas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences claimed they had 'resurrected' the dire wolf – by partially altering the genome of the modern grey wolf.
