New My Animal Buddy Programme Set To Bring Singapore's Wildlife Parks Into Every Child's Home

By befriending and forming bonds with their very own Animal Buddies, children have a window to what goes on behind the scenes at WRS’ parks where 15,000 animals, 25 per cent of which are threatened species, are cared for daily. With this comes exclusive opportunities for children to interact virtually with animal care experts including zookeepers, wildlife nutritionists and veterinarians and learn about close to 1,000 animal species.

“With My Animal Buddy, we aim to transform from a physical destination for families, to a trusted partner at home that helps children build deep connection and care for animals while learning essential life skills and a growth mindset,” shares Ms Belina Lee, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, Mandai Park Holdings. “Children can complement zoo visits with regular remote interaction with our animals and keepers through a variety of fun learning journeys, benefitting from the greater frequency of animal interactions. My Animal Buddy is our way of bringing our beloved wildlife parks to reach out to every child, and this element of inclusivity extends to those who are unable to be physically in our parks.”

My Animal Buddy’s free-to-subscribe programme also gives each child the freedom to enjoy and explore our wildlife parks virtually through digital content, virtual events and phygital play#. Children can receive messages from their animal buddies, hang out with them on their live buddy cams and join celebrations at their virtual birthday parties. In addition, children can also explore the animal kingdom through exclusive videos, games and quizzes or learn through imaginative play and virtual live chat sessions. There is also a pipeline of upcoming features such as buddy chatbots and interactive buddy journals and buddy play kits.

Ms Lee adds: “A panel of experts has been engaged to guide the development of content, programming and parenting resources to weave in learning of essential life skills and a growth mindset. One of the key areas of focus is nurturing compassion and learning values through the experiences of our animal friends. In this way, while learning through play, they also deepen their connection to animals and are inspired to care for wildlife and the Earth.”

In the lead up to today’s official launch, My Animal Buddy went through several prototypes over the last year and has since garnered a family community of over 25,000 fans from Singapore Zoo visitors, WRS’ Friends of Wildlife members and beneficiaries of voluntary welfare organisations.

The first My Animal Buddy prototype allowed children to connect with the rabbits they interacted with at Rainforest Kidzworld’s Buddy Barn, from home as our first Animal Buddies. Subsequently, Californian sealion Pedro, star of the Zoo’s Splash Safari show was recruited as the second Animal Buddy during his 21st birthday celebration in June this year.

Bornean orangutan Khansa was unveiled as the latest Animal Buddy during today’s launch, which was graced by Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Deputy Chairman of Mandai Park Holdings.

To subscribe to My Animal Buddy, please visit the website here. In celebration of the launch in conjunction with October being the month of Children’s Day, a spectrum of in-park and online activities is available for families to enjoy.