Mandai Wildlife Group is a Singapore-based wildlife conservation, zoological and nature-destination organisation responsible for the development and management of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, a major integrated wildlife and nature destination in northern Singapore. The Group operates several internationally recognised wildlife parks, including Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders and Bird Paradise, alongside newer nature-based attractions and hospitality developments. 1

The organisation’s activities extend beyond operating visitor attractions. Its stated purpose is to build a world where people and wildlife thrive together, with conservation, wildlife care, education, sustainability and public engagement forming central components of its activities. Its conservation arm, Mandai Nature, supports biodiversity and species-conservation programmes, particularly in Southeast Asia. 2

The Group is the successor to Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS). In October 2021, WRS adopted the new corporate identity Mandai Wildlife Group, reflecting a broader strategy to develop the Mandai area from a collection of individual zoological parks into an integrated wildlife and nature destination.

Origins

The history of Mandai Wildlife Group is closely connected with the development of Singapore’s modern zoological institutions. The organisation’s roots can be traced to the establishment of Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park during the 1970s. Over subsequent decades, Singapore developed a collection of major wildlife attractions that included Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park and, later, River Safari.

These institutions gradually developed beyond their original role as recreational attractions, increasingly incorporating animal welfare, wildlife breeding, conservation research, environmental education and public awareness into their operations.

In 2000, the parks were brought together under the Wildlife Reserves Singapore identity, which became the principal organisation overseeing Singapore’s major zoological parks.

Wildlife Reserves Singapore era

Under Wildlife Reserves Singapore, the organisation expanded its role in wildlife conservation and international zoological cooperation. A major development was the opening of River Safari in 2014, creating a wildlife attraction focused on freshwater ecosystems and river habitats.

The organisation also increasingly participated in international breeding programmes, species-recovery initiatives and conservation partnerships. An important milestone came in 2015, when plans for a major redevelopment of the Mandai area were accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment. The objective was to transform the existing zoological-park cluster into a larger integrated wildlife and nature destination.

Creation of Mandai Wildlife Group

On 13 October 2021, Wildlife Reserves Singapore introduced a new corporate identity: Mandai Wildlife Group. The rebranding represented a shift in the organisation’s identity from primarily managing individual zoological parks toward creating a broader ecosystem involving wildlife parks, conservation, nature-based tourism, environmental education, sustainable development, hospitality, public green spaces, and new wildlife and nature experiences.

At the same time, River Safari was renamed River Wonders, while Singapore Zoo and Night Safari retained their established names. The future bird park was given the name Bird Paradise, replacing Jurong Bird Park at its original location.

The Group’s principal destination is Mandai Wildlife Reserve, located in northern Singapore next to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. The Reserve represents the central element of the Mandai redevelopment programme. Rather than treating the wildlife parks as completely separate attractions, the project seeks to create a connected destination incorporating wildlife parks, nature experiences, public spaces, conservation facilities, accommodation and other visitor experiences.

The major wildlife parks within the reserve are:

• Singapore Zoo
• Night Safari
• River Wonders
• Bird Paradise

The Reserve’s development is being carried out in phases. By FY2024/25, the Group reported the opening of Mandai Wildlife EAST, Mandai Boardwalk and Rainforest Wild ASIA, alongside the existing parks and attractions.

Singapore Zoo

Singapore Zoo is the flagship zoological park of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. The zoo opened in 1973 and has developed into one of Singapore’s best-known tourist attractions. It houses a broad collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and other animals while emphasising naturalistic habitats, animal welfare, conservation and education.

The zoo celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023. At that time, it reported more than 4,200 animals representing over 300 species. Singapore Zoo also participates in international breeding and conservation programmes. One example is its work with the critically endangered Roti Snake-necked Turtle, including the 2021 repatriation of 13 individuals to Indonesia.

Night Safari

Night Safari is a nocturnal wildlife park and one of the most distinctive attractions within the Mandai ecosystem. Opened in 1994, it was designed around the observation of animals during their active nighttime periods. Its concept helped establish nocturnal wildlife viewing as a major component of Singapore’s tourism offering. The park retains the Night Safari name following the 2021 Mandai rebranding.

River Wonders

River Wonders, formerly known as River Safari, is a freshwater-themed wildlife park. The park focuses on major river ecosystems and species associated with them. Its exhibits include animals such as giant pandas, manatees, freshwater fish and other aquatic or river-dependent wildlife. The change from River Safari to River Wonders was announced in 2021 as part of the Mandai rebranding, with the new name intended to emphasise freshwater habitats and exploration rather than simply the concept of a safari.

Bird Paradise

Bird Paradise is Mandai’s major bird park and successor to Jurong Bird Park. It opened at Mandai in 2023, replacing the historic Jurong Bird Park, which had operated since 1971. The new park was designed around immersive aviary environments and a broader integration with the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Its brand identity also deliberately references the heritage of Jurong Bird Park, including its historic walk-in aviary concept.

Rainforest Wild ASIA

Rainforest Wild ASIA is one of the newer attractions within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. The attraction focuses on Southeast Asian rainforest environments and combines wildlife viewing with exploration-oriented experiences. It forms part of the broader expansion of Mandai beyond the traditional zoo model. The Group reported its opening in March 2025 as part of the continued development of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve.

A particularly important component of the organisation is Mandai Nature, its conservation arm. Mandai Nature is a non-profit organisation focused on biodiversity conservation, particularly in Asia and Southeast Asia. Its work includes programmes intended to prevent species extinction, protect ecosystems, support conservation organisations and build local conservation capacity.

Its work extends beyond animals housed within Mandai’s parks. The organisation supports conservation of threatened species in the wild, making it an important bridge between ex-situ conservation—such as zoos and managed breeding—and in-situ conservation in natural habitats. Mandai Nature also hosts or supports regional conservation initiatives associated with the IUCN Species Survival Commission, including the Asian Species Action Partnership and the Centre for Species Survival: Southeast Asia.

Conservation and Education

Conservation is presented by Mandai Wildlife Group as a core part of its organisational identity. The Group’s approach encompasses animal care and welfare, species conservation through breeding and recovery programmes, habitat conservation, conservation education, research, community engagement, and sustainability.

Education is another major component of Mandai’s operations. The Group provides educational resources for schools, teachers, families and other visitors. These programmes use the wildlife parks as environments for learning about animal behaviour, biodiversity, ecosystems, conservation and sustainable living.

Sustainability

Sustainability is incorporated into the development of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. The Group has positioned the Reserve as a nature destination designed around environmental considerations, including green spaces, ecological integration and sustainable tourism. Mandai Wildlife Group is also a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and has stated commitments relating to climate action, biodiversity and sustainable operations. 3 Its sustainability reporting covers environmental, social and governance issues across the Group and its related entities.

International Role

Although physically concentrated in Singapore, Mandai Wildlife Group has an international role through zoological associations, conservation programmes and partnerships. The Group’s parks are accredited by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and the Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australasia (ZAA). It is also an active member of the Southeast Asian Zoo and Aquarium Association (SEAZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

Financial Performance

Mandai Wildlife Group combines several types of activities rather than relying exclusively on zoo admission. According to its FY2023/24 reporting, its revenue sources included admission and rides, food and beverage, retail, rental, adoptions and donations, and other activities.

For FY2023/24, the Group reported approximately S$194.9 million in revenue and 4.43 million guests. For FY2024/25, the Group reported approximately S$195.1 million in revenue and 4.5 million visitors to its precinct.

Governance

The corporate parent of the organisation is Mandai Park Holdings Pte. Ltd., a privately owned organisation headquartered in Singapore. The Group’s board includes representatives from Singapore’s business, finance, environmental and public-service sectors. As of the current official profile, Piyush Gupta serves as Chairman and Bennett Neo as Executive Director.

The Mandai masterbrand was introduced in 2021 to unify the organisation’s various activities. The architecture creates one overarching Mandai identity while retaining the established identities of individual parks:

• Mandai Wildlife Group: The organisation.
• Mandai Wildlife Reserve: The destination.
• Individual Wildlife Parks: Visitor attractions (Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise, Rainforest Wild ASIA).
• Mandai Nature: Conservation arm.
• Mandai X: Innovation and growth initiatives.

The long-term Mandai Rejuvenation Project aims to transform the traditional model of “several zoos located beside each other” into an integrated destination where wildlife parks, conservation, nature, hospitality, recreation and public spaces operate as parts of a single ecosystem. The development has already introduced Bird Paradise, Mandai Wildlife EAST, Mandai Wildlife WEST, Mandai Boardwalk and Rainforest Wild ASIA, with additional experiences planned or under development. In 2026, Mandai described the completion of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve as the culmination of a decade-long transformation from individual wildlife parks into a broader wildlife and nature destination.

1. Mandai Wildlife Group
2. Mandai Wildlife Group Sustainability Report 2024/2025
3. Mandai Wildlife Group joins Global Sustainable Tourism Council