Born and bred in S'pore Zoo

There is a reason why the Singapore Zoo is one of the world's best breeding grounds for captive wildlife. It all boils down to single-minded passion and desire in the humans behind the scenes. In this first of three parts on animal breeding programmes in Singapore, CHANG AI-LIEN speaks to the men stoking the embers of lust of the zoo's inhabitants, or dousing the flames when necessary.

By Chang Ai-Lien

WHEN animals are happy, they do what comes naturally, and making babies is a big part of that.

BIG CAT TURNS PUSSYCAT: In the grip of a sedative, five-year-old lioness Elsa has her jaws opened for a dental check-up by Dr Martelli. Photo by TAN SUAN ANN

But if nature fails to take its course, there is always science to give it a shove in the right direction.

In the case of artificial reproduction, techniques perfected on humans sometimes work best.

That is why the zoo has been working with the National University Hospital's obstetrics and gynaecology department for the past seven years, to help its endangered species to reproduce.

Dr Paolo Martelli is director (veterinary, conservation and research) at Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), which is the parent company of the zoo, Night Safari and Jurong BirdPark.

He said that the zoo collaborates with the hospital in various ways.

NO BABY BOOM: A contraceptive implant, inserted under Elsa's skin, will release a hormone and keep her from conceiving for four years. Photo by TAN SUAN ANN

For example, they work together to check animals' sperm count, and on a weekly basis to collect eggs from female monkeys.

The operation involves one vet to do the surgery, technicians to collect the eggs, and others to watch the eggs to ensure that they are being removed correctly.

These eggs are used during intro-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) - a technique where a single sperm is fused with an egg, and the embryos implanted in a female.

Using techniques like ICSI or artificial insemination means that even semen collected from dead animals can be used for breeding, which is important in maintaining a diverse gene pool.

But technology is no substitute for observation and creative thinking.

SURGERY IS OVER: A still drugged Elsa is prone as Dr Serena Oh stitches her up after the implant. Photo by TAN SUAN ANN

The director of the WRS creative design team, architect Michael Graetz, said: 'The habitat is very much part of the animal's well-being.

'It serves their psychological needs, for exercise and variety in the environment.'

This could be something as simple as artificial vines for monkeys to swing on.

The natural-looking, rubber-coated ropes made at the zoo are a good way of letting the monkeys stretch their limbs naturally.

They also prevent the creatures from causing damage to the live plants.

Dr Cheng Wen Haur, WRS executive director, spoke about insights into breeding that come with experience.

'It's something that some people are better at than others,' he said.

'They have the flair, the passion. Like gardeners with green thumbs, they have that special touch. For many of our keepers, it's that insight they have accumulated over the years.'