A Thriving Island
Despite Singapore’s urban landscape, we are home to rich biodiversity and a wide variety of habitats. A total of 35,000 to 45,000 species have been recorded, including more than 410 species of birds and at least 2,100 native plants. To safeguard and strengthen the resilience of our thriving island, we take on a science-based approach to thoroughly understand how we can co-exist harmoniously with nature.
Our efforts begin with nationwide conservation plans and strategies, brought to life through smart, innovative solutions.
Find out more about the various journeys we embark on to truly transform Singapore into a City in Nature.
Our Nation-Wide Initiatives
Courtesy of The Urban Redevelopment Authority
Ecological Profiling Exercise
Ecological Profiling Exercise (EPE) is a scientific study that seeks to understand the movement of our native biodiversity using ecological profiling tools. This allows our planners to sensitively plan and integrate nature within long-term plans.
Discover more about how ecological profiling tools are used to support our conservation strategies.
Courtesy of National Parks Board
Camera Traps
To better understand the existing ecology in our city, non-invasive camera traps are set up where animals have been sighted to monitor their behaviour. The data collected allows us to facilitate conservation efforts and promote safe encounters with wildlife in our midst.
Find out more about how the camera traps work, and the animals caught on camera!
Courtesy of National Parks Board
Singapore Index for Cities’ Biodiversity
The Singapore Index for Cities’ Biodiversity (SI) is a self-assessment tool developed by Singapore for cities to evaluate and monitor their biodiversity conservation efforts, effectively strengthening their strategies.
Find out more about how indicators such as native biodiversity, ecosystem services as well as governance and management of biodiversity are measured.
Courtesy of National Parks Board
Roadway Animal Detection System
The Roadway Animal Detection System (RADS) is integrated into Singapore’s transport system to ensure the safety of our wildlife crossing the roads, allowing us to have safe encounters with wildlife in our midst.
Discover more about how the system detects the presence of animals crossing our roads.
Courtesy of National Parks Board, David Li
Satellite Tracking on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership
Singapore is one of the 22 countries along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), a major international flyway with the highest number of threatened migratory species. In support of the EAAF Partnership, we launched a two-year solar-powered satellite tracking project to protect these migratory birds as part of our nationwide conservation efforts.
Discover more about the partnership and the improved tracking technology.
Courtesy of National Parks Board
100k Corals Initiative
The corals in Singapore’s waters are vulnerable to various impacts of climate change. The 100k Corals Initiative was launched to scale up existing coral restoration efforts and plant 100,000 corals in Singapore’s waters.
Find out more about the reef enhancement process as part of the initiative to plant 100,000 corals.
Our Green & Blue Spaces
Courtesy of National Parks Board
Central Catchment Nature Reserve
At 3,043 hectares, this nature reserve is the largest in Singapore, and home to precious habitats and critically endangered animals like the Sunda Pangolin. It also serves as a catchment area for Singapore’s four main reservoirs.
Find out more about the special features at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, such as the Eco-Link@BKE, an ecological bridge connecting wildlife to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Being Singapore’s first ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Heritage Park, this wetland reserve is rich in biodiversity and serves as an important site for migratory birds. The wetland reserve is also home to the largest mangrove ecosystem in Singapore.
Find out more about the special features such as the mangrove boardwalk at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve that brings you closer to nature.
Courtesy of National Parks Board
Thomson Nature Park
Thomson Nature Park is a key conservation site for endangered animals such as the Raffles’ Banded Langur in Singapore. The nature park is also unique for its cultural heritage as the site of the former Hainan Village.
Find out more about the therapeutic hiking trails and nature walks, as well as the special heritage sights at Thomson Nature Park.
Courtesy of National Parks Board
Central Rail Corridor
The 24 km long Rail Corridor is a continuous green passage across our island, connecting key green spaces such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Dairy Farm Nature Park. It is both an important ecological corridor for our animals, and a recreational corridor leading us to several nature areas.
Find out more about the rich biodiversity and heritage of our Rail Corridor.
Courtesy of National Parks Board
Sisters’ Islands Marine Park
Singapore’s first marine park dedicated to the protection of coral reefs and marine life, the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park is home to a coral nursery, a turtle hatchery and critically-endangered species such as the Neptune’s Cup Sponge.
Find out more about our thriving marine ecosystem and the exploratory activities such as the Dive Trails at the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park.
Protecting Our Endangered Friends
Courtesy of National Parks Board, Max Khoo
Sunda Pangolin
The Sunda Pangolin is a shy, nocturnal, solitary mammal protected by scales made of compressed hair. Though poaching in Singapore remains low, slow-moving Pangolins here face the greatest threat from roadkill as they stray off too far from the forested areas onto roads.
Find out more about how our conservation efforts such as the National Conservation Strategy and Action Plan protect our shy Pangolins.
Courtesy of National Parks Board, Ganesh Thayagarajan
Oriental Pied Hornbill
In the 1800s, the Oriental Pied Hornbill population had disappeared in Singapore and were thought to be locally extinct. When the Oriental Pied Hornbills reappeared at Pulau Ubin (an island northeast of Singapore) in 1994, the Singapore Hornbill Project was launched to increase its population numbers.
Find out more about our successful conservation efforts behind the return of the Oriental Pied Hornbills.
Courtesy of National Parks Board, Jeanne Tan
Raffles’ Banded Langur
This rarely sighted primate is native to Singapore, and was first taken note of by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1822. The species was then named after him. Though they are critically endangered, efforts are underway to ensure the long-term conservation of the species.
Find out more about how the partnership of various organisations and agencies work together to drive conservation action.
Courtesy of National Parks Board
Hawksbill Turtle
Hawksbill Turtles are strikingly coloured and gain their name from their distinctive beak-like mouths. Recognising that the Hawksbill Turtle is a critically-endangered species, measures are taken to ensure more baby turtles hatched on our shores can make their trip safely into the waters.
Find out more about our conservation efforts, such as the turtle hatchery in Sisters’ Islands Marine Park.
Smooth-coated Otter
The Smooth-coated Otter is a playful mammal, named after its velvety smooth coat. Though recognised as critically endangered, these highly adaptable animals are increasingly sighted in packs at Singapore’s nature spaces such as the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
Find out more about the Smooth-coated Otter and how Singapore creates a home for them.
