Speech by Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu at the Opening of Rainforest Wild Adventure East

1.        A very good morning to all of you.  

Introduction 

2. It is wonderful to be back at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. It was just over a year ago when we witnessed the opening of the Rainforest Wild Adventure West. Today, we celebrate not just the opening of Rainforest Wild Adventure East, but also the completion of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve.  

From Vision to Reality: Anchoring Singapore's Tourism 2040 Ambitions 

3.             Back in 2007, we saw the potential of transforming what was then Wildlife Reserves Singapore into a world-class nature and wildlife destination – one where both local and international visitors could connect with nature and wildlife in ways they never had before. With the opening of Rainforest Wild Adventure East, that vision is fully realised. What began as an ambition has grown into one of the world’s most distinctive wildlife and nature destinations, and a cornerstone of Singapore's tourism landscape. 

4.             The completed Mandai Wildlife Reserve now encompasses Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Night Safari, Bird Paradise, Rainforest Wild Adventure, as well as the Curiosity Cove and Exploria — alongside public spaces like the Mandai Boardwalk and the Mandai Wildlife East and West arrival nodes. Together, they form a destination that embodies Singapore's identity as a City in Nature.  

5.             It is a recognition that has not gone unnoticed. The precinct was certified as a sustainable tourist destination by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Singapore Zoo was also named as one of the six zoos dedicated to conservation globally by National Geographic, and Rainforest Wild Adventure West as one of “The World's Greatest Places of 2026” by TIME Magazine.  

6.             As Singapore sets its sights on the Tourism 2040 ambitions, Mandai Wildlife Reserve is well-positioned to play an instrumental role in that journey. By offering visitors of all ages an unparalleled immersive experience, Mandai will be a compelling reason for international visitors to choose Singapore — drawing new audiences, engaging emotionally and reinforcing our reputation as a world-class destination for years to come. 

New Experiences in the Park  

7.             Later, I hope to try one of the highlights of the park – the Canopy Glider, where visitors are treated to a scenic ride through the treetops of the Rainforest Wild Adventure East, with a bird’s eye view of the ravine and wildlife that thrive below.  

8.             I am also looking forward to my first encounter with the okapi, a cousin of the giraffe, making its debut in Southeast Asia. The okapi is one of nature’s most elusive and endangered large mammals, found in the dense forests of the Congo in Central Africa, and let’s see if you can find all the four of them in Rainforest Wild Adventure East. 

Protection of Wildlife and the Environment

9. Even as we push the boundaries of experience and engagement, we do not lose sight of our responsibility to protect our environment and the wildlife living alongside us. For over five decades, the Mandai Wildlife Group has been at the forefront of wildlife conservation and nature appreciation. Through careful planning, comprehensive environmental assessments and meaningful community engagements, we have created world-class attractions while protecting our precious Central Catchment Nature Reserve. 

a.    One such example is the opening of the Mandai Wildlife Centre, a third animal hospital located within the Rainforest Wild Adventure East, dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of rescued wildlife in Singapore. This is a reminder that behind every great wildlife destination is a serious commitment to the animals.  

b.    Mandai Wildlife Group has also been on a journey to embed sustainability into their precinct. From e-bus charging infrastructure to improving thermal comfort, Mandai has been partnering communities, local businesses and like-minded organisations to reduce their carbon footprint and reach their net-zero target by 2050.            

Conclusion  

10.          As we officially open Rainforest Wild Adventure East today, we celebrate not just a tourism milestone, but a testament to our collective as commitment to being a responsible steward of nature whilst remaining a vibrant, world-class destination. 

11.          Just as the Singapore Zoo has long held a cherished place in the hearts of Singaporeans, we hope the Mandai Wildlife Reserve will continue to be a living part of our shared story — a place where memories are made, and a love for nature passed down through generations. We hope that Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise, and now the Rainforest Wild Adventure will continue to be places where families can create cherished memories, where parents and children can spend quality time together, and it will continue to be a place of endearment for many generations of Singaporeans to come. 

12.          Congratulations to Mandai Wildlife reserve on this beautiful moment and showing the world that Singapore, despite being a very urbanised city state, can find a sustainable way of development where nature and our economic activity can come together hand in hand, as we devote our pursuit of science and excellence to the conservation of nature. In this very small island, we see endangered species being nurtured back to life. We see endangered animals able to reproduce and be set free in the wild again. This is how we contribute in very concrete way to the conservation of greenery and preservation of the wildlife and nature that we hold so dearly in our hearts. 

13.          Congratulations once again and enjoy this lovely destination. Thank you.