Research and Conservation Projects

Wildlife Reserves Singapore has been and is currently involved in many research and conservation projects locally and overseas. These include:

Local projects

1. Field trial of avian influenza vaccine
Avian influenza serovar H5N1 has become a major potential threat to both avian and human life in Southeast Asia. SZG decided to vaccinate our high-risk species (Galliformes and Anseriformes), as well as the birds in open exhibits. As such, the vets from Singapore Zoo (led by Dr Serena Oh), investigated the effects of vaccinating the various avian species in SZG with Nobilis H2N2 avian influenza vaccine. The project also includes the study on the rate of seroconversion and the duration the effects last.

2. Oestrus cycles in female Asian elephants and giant anteaters
This project entails charting the progesterone levels in our eight Asian elephant cows and two female giant anteaters to check for regular cycling and pregnancy. This is a collaborative effort with the National University of Singapore.

3. Milestones in ontogeny in captive red-shanked douc langurs (Pygathrix nemaeus nemaeus)
Douc langurs are shy animals and difficult to study as they remain in the forest canopy. Little is known about the development of the young and the interactions between young douc langurs and their mother and environment. Hence members from the Zoological Society of San Diego and Singapore Zoo have commenced recording the development of douc langurs from birth to 18 months old – specifically when the young first start being interested in their environment, tasting solid food, playing with other members of the group, etc.

4. Locomotor behaviour and foraging ecology of the Malayan flying lemur, Cynocephalus variegates
For effective conservation, knowledge of the target species is required. However, little is known about gliding animals, and the colugo in particular. Thus, Greg Brynes from the University of California has, since 2005, embarked on a two-year study to tag and track colugos. The study aims to find out how and where they glide, where and what they feed on and other aspects of their activity.

5. Habitat preference and spatial ecology of the Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica)
The Malayan pangolin is fairly highly traded for their scales and meat, yet very little is known about them. To better understand this endangered animal, Normal Lim from the National University of Singapore, is involved in a yearlong project to study the habitats and food preference of the Malayan pangolin in Singapore through radiotracking and camera trapping.

6.Predicting landsnail endemism at limestone karsts for conservation priorities
Limestone karsts are very important ecosystems as they support a wide variety of wildlife that is found only in these areas and nowhere else. However, these ecosystems are heavily mined. The biodiversity in these areas are threatened and in some cases have already gone extinct. Reuben Clements from the National University of Singapore is currently committed to looking at the species of snails at different karsts and how endemic they are and how they can be used to identify karsts for conservation priorities. This project spans one year.

Overseas projects

1. Distribution, abundance and conservation of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in Sabah, East Malaysia
Proboscis monkeys are of high conservation priority but are increasingly affected by human land use and other human activities. Knowledge of their current population and distribution is urgently needed to help save this species. As such John Sha, from the University of Sabah, has begun a yearlong undertaking to count the number of proboscis monkeys and where they are across Sabah.

2. The effects of selective logging on Malayan sunbear (Helarctos melayanus) and bearded pigs (Sus barbatus) in lowland tropical rainforests of Borneo
Tropical rainforests are full of life and are also an important source of timber. The Malayan sunbear and bearded pig are important animals in this ecosystem, but very little known about them. Wong Siew Te from the University of Montana, has since 2005, been identifying what sunbears and bearded pigs eat through scat samples, looking for and identifying signs of bear and pig activity (eg wallows, claw marks) and discovering the activity of these animals by radiotracking.

3. Tigers Alive! - Reducing conflict with better cattle management
One of the reasons tigers are hunted and poached in Jeli is that tigers predate on the lifestock of the villagers. This conflict can be lessened by better livestock management. Brian Lee from WWF Malaysia is thus actively educating villagers on the benefits of livestock management. One such method is to maintained cattle in enclosed pens that are predator-proof.

4. Provision of equipment to Nyaru Menteng Orangutan rehabilitation project
As natural rainforest habitat is lost and converted for agricultural use, orangutans are increasingly coming into conflict with humans. Many young orangutans are also taken away from their mothers to be sold/kept as pets, often in substandard conditions. This project, in collaboration with Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, aims to rescue and rehabilitate captive orangutans and other primates and release them into their natural environment.