Singapore is achieving significant results through breeding programs aimed at recovering the populations of endangered Southeast Asian animals.

On April 3rd, Singapore's leading daily newspaper, The Straits Times, reported that the Mandai Wildlife Group (MWG) plans to send one of its three Malayan tigers at Rainforest Wild Asia to the Taipei Zoo to mate with a young female tiger.

This follows MWG's repatriation of 10 Negros bleeding-heart doves, bred at Singapore's Bird Paradise on January 15th, to their native habitat. According to BirdLife International, a global bird conservation organization, only 70 to 400 of these doves were believed to remain in the central Philippine islands of Panay and Negros at the time.

These breeding efforts play a crucial role in ensuring that endangered species do not disappear completely from the planet.

However, experts interviewed by The Straits Times pointed out that broader conservation efforts beyond zoo breeding are necessary for the long-term survival of wild animal species.

A spokesperson for MWG stated that regional habitat protection and conservation, as well as education for various communities, organizations, and even authorities on how to optimally manage these delicate animals in their native habitats, are included in conservation efforts.

She also added that guiding the public to understand and coexist with wildlife is crucial in reducing human-wildlife conflict, explaining that Mandai's conservation programs also include these efforts.

Dr. Darren Yeo, an associate professor at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum at the National University of Singapore (NUS), emphasized that the conservation of Southeast Asian wildlife species is essential for preserving the region's natural heritage.

Indeed, many wild animal species found only in Southeast Asia exist, such as the Southern River Terrapin, the Sumatran Rhinoceros, and the Orangutan.

Assistant Professor Zeng Yiwen from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) stated that wild animals provide many important benefits to humanity.

Dr. Zeng, who conducts research on conservation, climate change, and communities at the Asian School of the Environment, explained, "Some species perform critical ecological roles such as seed dispersal, pollination, and regulation of prey populations, maintaining the health of natural ecosystems."

For example, past research has shown that the Singaporean native fruit bat (flying fox) is one of the most efficient natural pollinators of durian trees.

Uma Sachidhanandam, the Conservation and Science Director of WWF-Singapore, said that despite its small size, Singapore is a biodiversity hotspot with diverse ecosystems including forests, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems.

She added, "As a key member of international conventions on the environment, Singapore has the potential to influence large-scale conservation through well-established practices. Our legal and on-the-ground efforts, such as nature-based coastal protection solutions and initiatives to address environmental fragmentation, can serve as strong models for the region to follow."

The Urgency of Action

Globally, wild animal species are on a decline, and experts warn that the world is in the midst of the sixth mass extinction.

According to WWF's 2024 Living Planet Report, the average size of monitored wild animal populations worldwide has decreased by 73%, and this downward trend continues to date. The report was based on nearly 35,000 population trends and 5,495 species of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles.

According to international scientific assessments, approximately one million species worldwide are threatened with extinction, and this number is increasing annually.

The report also revealed that the Asia-Pacific region ranks third globally in terms of species decline, with a 60% decrease in terrestrial and freshwater populations between 1970 and 2020. Asia's wildlife has experienced the most rapid and widespread decline over the past century.

However, many endangered species in Southeast Asia may not receive as much attention as more charismatic species.

Dr. Zeng said, "Biodiversity conservation efforts tend to be biased towards appealing animals such as tigers, lions, and koalas... This means that some species and species groups may be overlooked and receive less conservation attention and funding."

Some species that have benefited from Mandai's breeding programs are not as well-known as the megafauna roaming the African savanna. These include the Rote Island snake-necked turtle, the Oriental pied hornbill, and the Malayan tapir.

Dr. Zeng cited habitat loss due to deforestation and land-use change, as well as overexploitation through resource extraction and the wildlife trade, as major threats facing the region's fauna.

Associate Professor Roman Carrasco, a conservation scientist at NUS, stated that Southeast Asia is globally significant in terms of biodiversity, a fact recognized by the international community.

Dr. Carrasco, who is also the Deputy Head of the Department of Biological Sciences, added, "We hold a treasure trove of biodiversity of incalculable value, and we have a stewardship responsibility that extends beyond our region to all of humanity and future generations."

He said that Singapore, through collaboration with other ASEAN countries, can make a significant difference for species on the brink of extinction.

"In a way, this means giving back to the region and helping to protect biodiversity that we might not have been able to conserve due to our land constraints," emphasized Dr. Carrasco. "What we do in Southeast Asia will have a big impact on global biodiversity."

Singapore's Efforts

Through Mandai Nature, the conservation arm of MWG, approximately $4.5 million Singapore dollars are invested annually in over 40 projects in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

Dr. Sonja Luz, the Chief Executive Officer of Mandai Nature, stated that this has contributed to tailored conservation actions for over 50 endangered Southeast Asian species.

These projects include not only direct efforts through breeding but also indirect means such as supporting habitat protection and restoration, and working with local communities and indigenous peoples to create economic benefits from nature conservation.

Dr. Luz said that while some offspring will eventually be reintroduced into the wild, a significant number will be placed in "assurance populations" under human care.

Assurance populations, or insurance populations, serve as a "safety net" for species facing severe threats in the wild, allowing conservationists to maintain viable populations under human care.

These populations safeguard endangered species to enhance their long-term survival prospects while threats in their natural habitats are addressed.

A portion of the ticket and purchase revenue from the five wildlife parks operated by MWG in Singapore is also channeled into conservation efforts.

Dr. Luz added that conservation projects should prioritize the preservation and protection of the native environment of all animals.

Furthermore, relevant countries must be able to provide appropriate welfare, health, and disease management systems for the animals before and after repatriation.

"Ensuring that the environment can sustain the species and maintain ecological balance is crucial for the safety of both wildlife and people," said Dr. Luz.

Collaborating with various zoos and wildlife organizations worldwide, MWG supports breeding efforts, along with training in husbandry and management practices, and environmental and habitat protection through what is known as "head-starting" programs.

Dr. Luz explained that head-starting is a conservation technique for endangered species where young individuals are raised under human care until they reach a size or developmental stage where they are less vulnerable to predators and environmental threats before being released into the wild.

A key consideration in these programs is establishing sustainable populations under human care. This means maintaining healthy and genetically diverse populations of endangered species in zoos and aquariums around the world.

Currently, MWG is involved in over 160 global managed programs.

Dr. Cheng Wen-Haur, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Life Sciences Officer at MWG, stated, "Genetic diversity is essential for all species, both in the wild and under human care, to adapt to environmental changes, resist diseases, and prevent genetic defects."

Singapore has also been making efforts domestically to create a more conducive environment for wildlife.

Dr. Carrasco said that beyond preserving nature reserves, Singapore is adopting a multi-functional approach to make urbanized environments more biodiversity-friendly through roadside naturalization and greening of residential areas.

For example, the National Parks Board (NParks) has a Nature Conservation Master Plan that outlines Singapore's conservation efforts for flora and fauna. This includes the conservation and enhancement of key habitats such as nature reserves, nature trails, and green spaces like the Jurong Lake Gardens. This has provided a more favorable environment for animals like the Raffles' banded langur to thrive.

Singapore is also an important habitat for the straw-headed bulbul, a songbird that has been driven to near extinction in other parts of Southeast Asia due to poaching.

NParks also conducts long-term monitoring of ecosystems and species and active community outreach to build public awareness and involvement in biodiversity conservation.

Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), a wildlife rescue organization, has been actively involved in rescuing animals that are injured, orphaned, or have lost their habitats around Singapore.

Animals rescued and treated by Acres include the Sunda pangolin, the slow loris, the white-bellied sea eagle, and the reticulated python. They have also successfully hand-reared civets, bats, whistling ducks, and even owls.

Through collaboration with breeding programs in other regions, they have also treated and repatriated Malayan river turtles, Asian leaf turtles, elongated tortoises, Indian star tortoises, and black marsh turtles. These animals were either stranded on Singaporean territory or rescued from the illegal wildlife trade since 2017.

WWF-Singapore, through its Cyber Spotter Programme, has been actively tackling the issue of illegal wildlife trade, a major driver of population decline across the native habitats of pangolins and straw-headed bulbuls. The program trains volunteers to identify and report suspicious online listings of various endangered species.

The conservation organization is also actively involved in projects in neighboring countries, such as the protection and conservation of elephants in Thailand, tigers in Malaysia, and whale sharks in the Philippines.

The Mandai Wildlife Group in Singapore handed over 10 Negros bleeding-heart doves to the Philippines on January 16th, marking the first successful repatriation of this critically endangered species through a captive breeding program back to its native habitat.

Future Challenges

Senior lecturer Shawn Lum from NTU's Asian School of the Environment said that Singapore is well-positioned to scale up regional conservation efforts.

"To truly impact large-scale wildlife conservation, we need to play a role in a larger regional context. We can do this through education and capacity building, funding, communication, advocacy, or supporting regional conservation efforts," said Dr. Lum.

For example, in terms of funding, Singapore can help channel more funds to regional conservation efforts, citing Mandai's regional conservation projects, he said.

"Mandai (is) supporting important work by the Asian Species Action Partnership and, through Mandai Nature, directly funding local and regional conservation work on the ground. This includes successfully breeding critically endangered species in captivity such as the orangutan," said Dr. Lum.

Associate Professor Yeo said that greater protection and maintenance of remaining habitats must be ensured to continue supporting species in the wild and those returned to the wild domestically.

"The loss of natural environments is significant because it not only means a decline in the populations in those environments but also a loss of opportunities for species dispersal and reintroduction elsewhere," he said.

The impact is even greater when habitats are unique and rare, such as the Nee Soon Swamp Forest, Singapore's last freshwater swamp forest.

"If – and hopefully this never happens – this one environment disappears, the impact in terms of the loss of associated flora and fauna, at least one species of which is not found anywhere else in the world, and many others not found elsewhere in Singapore, would be very significant," said Dr. Yeo.

He also said that raising awareness of threats to nature can help people play their part in stemming biodiversity loss.

"For example, simply being aware of the threats posed by invasive species and the illegal pet trade can contribute to mitigating the problem of illegal wildlife trade."