Project Zoo: ACJC

© Elizabeth Chan

As I was snapping pictures of the animals in the zoo, I never knew what to expect. Even though animals of the same species generally look alike, but when I observed them for longer, they all had their own personalities just like how humans do. It was really amazing how the Orang Utan especially were so human like, preferring to stay in the shade, running after their young and almost always eating. 

We want the best environment for our human kind, likewise, the animals want their own habitat to be undestroyed by human developments. Not only is conservation of the habitat of these animals important for the animals but vital for us. The forests are necessary as an oxygen source for the right balance for our environment. Also, the conservation of their habitats would allow us and our future generations to have experiences that we would never be able to have in an urban city as Singapore is. 

However, The very few reserves left in Singapore, such as Sungei Buloh gives us a taste of what natural environments in Singapore used to be. Unlike in the zoo where the animals are kept in safe enclosures a fair distance away, the monitor lizards, birds and insects run free. We're in their territory and no matter how many times I go back, I constantly get intrigued by what I discover on the trails. It used to be a common sight to see now exotic animals roaming around freely just a few decades ago. Only after we've lost so much of our wildlife do we truly treasure and know how precious these animals are. So, it's important to hold whatever is left dearly. Go out, volunteer to save our nature reserves and have fun while you're at it!

Lum Hui Lin

Photographer