Cover image via Mandai Wildlife Group (Provided to SAYS)
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Mandai Wildlife Group, the team behind Singapore's five major wildlife parks — Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise, and Rainforest Wild Asia — had a seriously adorable 2025!
From tiny hoofed fawns to fluffy penguin chicks, these parks welcomed around 1,000 adorable new arrivals across more than 150 species last year, and we can't stop squealing over them.
Some of these babies are pretty special
About 50 species are threatened, and over 30 are part of international breeding programmes aimed at keeping populations healthy. Think of it as a super-exclusive baby club for endangered animals.
Mandai currently participates in over 200 of these programmes, helping to protect species all over the globe.
Dr Cheng Wen-Haur, Deputy CEO and Chief Life Sciences Officer, says it best, "From our first-ever kagu and wattled crane chicks to endangered manatee calves and red dhole pups, each new arrival is a proud moment for the teams who care for them. It's all about raising healthy, thriving wildlife while supporting conservation efforts in the wild."
The Singapore Zoo had plenty of reasons to celebrate. Lyla, a sleek serval, gave birth to her first kittens in 12 years.
One of the kittens is a playful male who loves staying close to his mum and bolder sister who's already exploring her surroundings.
Over in the Wild Africa section, a Grevy's zebra foal with elegant stripes has charmed keepers and visitors alike.
Primate fans were spoiled too. Red-shanked douc langur Nhat is already a cheeky favourite, stealing mulberry leaves from older siblings, while the first-ever L'hoest's monkey and twin red-ruffed lemurs are busy discovering their new habitats.
Night Safari welcomed three red dhole pups, the first litter in almost a decade!
These little wild dogs are growing adventurous along the tram route, giving visitors a rare peek at an endangered species.
Meanwhile, new calves from seladang, barasingha, thamin, and hog deer herds are happily exploring their habitats and learning to forage — all while looking impossibly cute.
Two West Indian manatee calves joined the family at River Wonders, receiving round-the-clock care before starting to explore the Amazon Flooded Forest section
Over 60 tiny Boeseman's rainbowfish fry also hatched throughout the year, adding a splash of colour to the waterways.
Bird Paradise saw some first-time hatches too! A wattled crane chick, two Socorro dove chicks (a species extinct in the wild), and kagu chicks all made their debut.
Even the flamingos and Gentoo penguins added to the feathered cuteness, with keepers carefully hand-raising the babies to thrive.
Rainforest Wild Asia welcomed its first Philippine spotted deer fawn in February, followed by two axis deer fawns
A tiny Southeast Asian box turtle hatchling has also been thriving under careful care.
With so many new faces at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, 2025 was a year of life, growth, and cuteness overload
If you're ever in Singapore, visit the Mandai parks. Each visit helps support these adorable babies and the wildlife that call the parks home.
