Animal Lovers, Here Are Five Places You Should Check Out in Singapore

Singapore is known for being a global financial centre and one of the greenest cities in the world, earning its name of "City in a Garden." It is also brimming with parks, nature play gardens, and conservation areas that a rich variety of flora and fauna call home.

If you're an animal lover, Singapore is the place to be, thanks to its well-managed nature reserves for wildlife and other establishments committed to the welfare of animals. Next time you're in the Lion City, here are five places you should check out to be closer to the animals, wildlife and pets alike!

Kranji Marshes

The 56.8-hectare Kranji Marshes is home to over 170 species of birds, 54 species of butterflies, and 33 species of dragonflies. A stroll along Neo Tiew Woods comes with surprises, such as spotting different birds and reptiles like the White-bellied Sea Eagle, woodpeckers, and monitor lizards, among others. It's recommended to "leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photographs" in this freshwater marshland, so keep a safe distance from the animals you'll see here and just admire them from afar. Fishing, poaching, feeding of animals, and bringing of dogs are not allowed, as well as flying of drones and loud noises or speakers to not disturb the wildlife. Make sure you wear insect repellent and bring binoculars on your visit!

Location: Kranji Marshes, 11 Neo Tiew Lane 2

ACRES Wildlife Reserve

The ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC), founded in 2009 by Dr. Lim Wee Kiak, is the city-state's first-ever facility committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of animals from the illegal wildlife trade. It also rescues injured wildlife. ACRES accepts volunteers for those who want to be involved in wildlife rescue, wildlife sanctuary, outreach, the urban birds ambassador team, and project-based volunteering. ACRES stopped engaging sanctuary volunteers due to the COVID-19 situation, but it encourages those who wish to volunteer to sign up as they will be notified the moment the restrictions are removed.

You may volunteer here or sponsor an animal in need here.

Location: ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC), 91 Jalan Lekar

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

This reserve is Singapore's first-ever ASEAN Heritage Park. Having first opened as a nature park in 1993, 130 hectares of the park were gazetted as a nature reserve in 2002 and became a heritage park the following year. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is known for its resident birds like herons, kingfishers, and sunbirds, as well as other inhabitants like spiders, monitor lizards, water snakes, cgrabs, mudskippers, and more throughout the year. Seasonally, from September to March, migratory birds like shorebirds, plovers, and sandpipers make their presence known. It is open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM.

Location: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, 60 Kranji Way, #01-00

The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum

Connie Tan started this tortoise and turtle museum more than 20 years ago with her father in the hopes of sharing their knowledge about these shelled reptiles and their love for them through their pets. The museum is known for its extensive collection of turtles and tortoises and has earned a Guinness Book of World Records title for it. Catch sight of and be amazed by the alligator turtle, Radiated tortoise, Sulcata tortoise, Malaysian giant river turtle, Indian star tortoise, and Indian soft-shell turtle, among others. The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, with ticket rates from S$6 to S$14 for individuals.

Location: The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum, ORTO, 81 Lor Chencharu #01-16

The Cat Cafe

Do you love cats? If yes, then The Cat Cafe at Bugis and The Rail mall is not to be missed! This cafe serves the usual: coffee, teas, and pastries, but among the presence of felines that we're sure any cat lover would not get enough of. All its cats were once strays, and the cafe serves as a safe space for humans to interact and bond with felines. A two-hour stay at the cafe costs S$18 and comes with one soft drink, while any subsequent half an hour is S$4.5 for an extra 30 minutes. Enjoy The Cat Cafe's purrrfect snacks, drinks, and sweets and don't be pushed to pet and cuddle with the kittens who lovingly climb on your seat!

Location: The Cat Cafe, 241B Victoria Street Level 3 and Rail Mall, 392 Upper Bukit Timah Road