Minister Lim Hng Kiang's written reply to Parliament Questions on Singapore Zoo

Question No. 880 of Notice Paper No. 294 of 2008 

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Chiam See Tong, MP for Potong Pasir SMC

Question
To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what emergency measures were in place at the Singapore Zoo during the time of the incident involving a cleaner who was killed by two white tigers; (b) whether there are alarms or emergency call buttons installed for the use of staff or patrons should an emergency arise.

Answer
1. All exhibits in the Singapore Zoo comply with international safety standards established under the guidelines of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. This includes the white tiger exhibit. To ensure that facilities continue to be safe and are in good condition, zoo personnel inspect all enclosures on a daily basis, and take immediate action to rectify problems identified. The checks are also subject to a monthly audit by a team of expert staff.

2. The emergency protocols for the zoo are based on guidelines from the AZA. The Singapore Zoo also regularly consults counterparts in the benchmark zoos in the United States, such as The National Zoo in Washington D. C. and the San Diego Zoo, to update and improve its protocols.

3. In the event that a person falls into the moat of the White Tiger enclosure, emergency protocols require staff to use the loud hailer at the nearest Emergency Equipment Box

[1]

to sound an alert. All field staff are also equipped with walkie-talkies to raise the alarm in the event of an emergency. Following the sounding of an alarm, staff are required take action to distract the animals and open the den doors to allow animals to move away. Staff are also trained to rescue the fallen person using rope ladders, staves and other equipment which are available at the animal enclosures. If human life is threatened or perceived to be threatened, the zoo has licensed shooters to take out the animal.

4. In the 13 Nov incident, zookeepers were mobilized to the scene within 1 minute of the alarm being sounded, and licensed shooters arrived within 5 minutes. The death of the contract worker was an unfortunate incident. It was widely reported that the deceased took deliberate steps to put himself into harm’s way, by jumping into the moat, climbing out of the water, and then advancing towards the tigers. The Police are still conducting their investigations and there will be a more complete picture after that is concluded.

5. Nonetheless, the zoo has reviewed its safety measures following the incident. Specifically, it has stepped up the number of staff patrolling the park, and installed Emergency SOS phones for visitors at the 4 open-concept dangerous animal exhibits (i.e. white tiger, lion, polar bear and chimpanzee).In addition, 2 emergency alarm buttons with sirens have also been installed at the White Tiger Viewing Gallery. These are part of the Singapore Zoo’s ongoing efforts to ensure that it is a safe attraction.

[1] The boxes are generally located around the zoo, particularly near dangerous animal enclosures.