Discover our Newest Baby Animals: Your Complete Guide to Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Reading time: 5 mins
Come meet our new adorable baby animals across the five wildlife parks. From penguin chicks to leopard cubs, plan your visit to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve today.
Key Highlights
- The Mandai Wildlife Reserve welcomed nearly 1,000 baby animals across more than 150 species in 2025, including first-time births of a critically endangered red-shanked douc langur, L’hoest’s monkey, and wattled crane.
- Must-See baby animals from fluffy gentoo penguin chicks and curious Grevy’s zebra foal to three adorable Sri Lankan leopard cubs and hand-raised flamingo chicks, there’s something for every wildlife enthusiast.
- Visit Bird Paradise's Avian Breeding and Research Centre for behind-the-scenes glimpses, catch daily sloth feeding sessions at 9:45am at Singapore Zoo, or watch leopard cubs grow via live cameras at the Leopard exhibit.
We’ve got some delightful news for all you wildlife enthusiasts and families looking for things to do in Singapore. 2025 has been an absolutely incredible year for baby animal arrivals at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve!
If you're planning your Singapore itinerary or searching for what to do today with kids near you, meeting these adorable newcomers is an experience you won't want to miss.
Across our wildlife parks: Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise, River Wonders and Night Safari, we’ve welcomed nearly 1,000 babies from more than 150 species. Yes, you read that right: one thousand tiny bundles of joy!
From critically endangered species to first-time births that have our keepers and guests absolutely buzzing with excitement, there’s never been a better time to visit. Read on for the spotlight on a few of our baby animals.
Bird Paradise: Where Feathered Families Flourish
Meet the Gentoo Penguin Chick
Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove, Bird Paradise
Let’s start with the gentoo penguin chick at Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove.
Proud parents Peach and Riki welcomed their third chick on 12 December 2025, and watching this fluffy little one is absolutely mesmerising. The attentive parents take turns feeding their hatchling, and the chick has been growing in confidence, venturing out of its nest to explore its surroundings.
It’s one of the best things to see and do in Singapore right now!
Meet the Flamingo Chicks Preparing to Join Our Adult Flock
This year, seven American flamingos and fifteen greater flamingos were hand-raised at the Avian Breeding and Research Centre.
Their daily routine included pool time to develop strength and short walks to help them acclimatise to outdoor environments. It’s often a lively affair as the curious chicks would wander off in different directions!
Once fully weaned, they’ll join the adult flocks at Hong Leong Foundation Crimson Wetlands and Rwanda Nyungwe Forest Heart of Africa.
Guests can also stop by the Avian Breeding and Research Centre, located right next to the Winged Sanctuary aviary, to see how other chicks are cared for by our keepers behind the scenes.
First-Ever Wattled Crane Chick
Rwanda Nyungwe Forest Heart of Africa, Bird Paradise
Bird Paradise celebrated a major milestone in November 2025 with the successful hatching of its first wattled crane chick.
This vulnerable species, native to the wetlands of Africa, surprised our keepers at Rwanda Nyungwe Forest Heart of Africa; the pair’s first egg just months earlier had been infertile, so this was an absolute thrill!
The three-month-old chick, weighing just over 2kg, is closely bonded to its mother. When fully grown, wattled cranes are the second-largest crane species in the world, typically weighing 6kg to 9kg.
Singapore Zoo: A Safari of Newborn Wonders
The Grevy’s Zebra Foal at Wild Africa
Wild Africa, Singapore Zoo
Over at Wild Africa, we have a gorgeous new Grevy’s zebra foal; a little girl born on 2 December 2025!
As the largest of all zebra species, Grevy’s zebras are known for their elegant, narrow stripes, and this newborn foal embodies these signature traits perfectly. She’s already charming keepers with her curious habit of stopping mid-stride to observe her surroundings before trotting after her mum.
If you’re looking for places worth visiting in Singapore, Wild Africa is definitely on that list.
Three Sri Lankan Leopard Cubs
Wild Africa, Singapore Zoo
Over at the Leopard exhibit, three Sri Lankan leopard cubs were born on 1 January 2026!
These cubs are extra special because Sri Lankan leopards are listed as vulnerable under the IUCN Red List, making every birth incredibly meaningful for conservation efforts.
While they’re enjoying quality time with mum behind closed doors for now, you can catch a sneak peek of these little ones on the live camera at the Leopard exhibit at Wild Africa.
Linne’s Two-Toed Sloth Pup at Fragile Forest
Fragile Forest, Singapore Zoo
At Fragile Forest, we have the most adorable two-toed sloth pup who’s started exploring on its own but still loves snuggling with mum Indigo while savouring fruits and vegetables.
If you want to see this cutie up close, there are exclusive keeper-led Canopy Feeding Interactions happening daily at 9:45am.
First-Ever Serval Kittens
Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia, Singapore Zoo
Singapore Zoo welcomed its first serval kittens on 25 June 2025, and they’re now exploring the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia exhibit with their mother.
These sleek, long-legged African cats are beginning to reveal their personalities; the male stays close to mum whilst his bolder sister ventures further afield. It’s fascinating to watch them grow and develop their hunting instincts.
Primate Kingdom’s Growing Family
Primate Kingdom, Singapore Zoo
The primate family at Singapore Zoo has also grown significantly this year. We celebrated the births of a red-shanked douc langur, a L’hoest’s monkey, and twin red-ruffed lemurs.
Nhat, the young red-shanked douc born on 1 January, is already a cheeky favourite, often darting between older siblings to steal mulberry leaves.
The Singapore Zoo’s first L’hoest’s monkey infant, born in June 2025, is equally charming; bold enough to wander from mum Koumi, yet quick to be scooped back into her arms.
The year ended on a high note with twin red-ruffed lemurs cared for confidently by their experienced mother, Minnie.
You can spot these lively youngsters at Primate Kingdom.
River Wonders: Manatee Magic
Amazon Clouded Forest, River Wonders
River Wonders continued to see new generations of West Indian manatees with two females born to Indy and Leandra on 3 October and 21 November 2025.
The first-born calf arrived prematurely and was weak, requiring round-the-clock care from our dedicated aquarists in a private off-exhibit area. Her team closely monitored her health and even assisted with her breathing. We are thrilled to report that she’s now started tasting solid food and is exploring the Amazon Flooded Forest exhibit!
The younger calf also received special care as first-time mum Leandra faced challenges with nursing. Our aquarists stepped in with supplemental feeding, and the baby has recently started suckling. She’s expected to wean off formula milk soon.
Look out for both of these gentle giants at the Amazon Flooded Forest; it’s one of those Singapore tourist attractions that genuinely warms your heart.
Night Safari: After-Dark Animal Encounters
Red Dhole Pups: A Decade in the Making
Safari Tram Adventure, Night Safari
Night Safari celebrated the first red dhole litter in almost a decade with the birth of three pups in June 2025.
Raised under the devoted care of their mother Lalu; with dad bringing food and keeping a watchful eye; the pups were monitored unobtrusively through CCTV to ensure they developed well.
Now more adventurous at six months old, the young dholes offer visitors the rare chance to observe this endangered Asian wild dog as a growing family along the tram route.
Seladang Calf and Growing Deer Herds
The seladang herd also welcomed a male calf in June which has since settled into its habitat.
Its mother has been gently guiding the calf around the exhibit as it explores its new surroundings. The young bovine is responding well to auditory and sensory enrichment that helps keep the herd mentally and physically engaged.
Several new fawns from threatened deer species have joined Night Safari’s growing ungulate herds, including four barasinghas, two thamins, and a hog deer. These young deer are already venturing through their free-ranging habitats.
Hop on the Safari Tram Adventure and spot these free-ranging animals along the tram route.
Planning Your Visit to Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I see the Sri Lankan leopard cubs at the Singapore Zoo?
The three Sri Lankan leopard cubs born on 1 January 2026 are currently spending quality time with their mother behind closed doors.
However, you can watch them grow via the live camera at the Leopard exhibit in Wild Africa. This allows guests to observe the cubs whilst they bond with mum in a safe, stress-free environment.
2. What time are the sloth feeding sessions at Singapore Zoo?
The exclusive keeper-led feeding sessions for the two-toed sloth pup at Fragile Forest happen daily at 9:45am.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the adorable pup up close and learn about sloth behaviour from our expert keepers.
3. Where can I see baby animals being hand-raised?
You can visit the Avian Breeding and Research Centre at the Bird Paradise, located next to the Winged Sanctuary aviary.
This behind-the-scenes facility allows guests a glimpse into how chicks are hand-raised to maximise their chances of survival.
4. How much does it cost to visit multiple wildlife parks at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve?
If you want to visit multiple attractions and see baby animals across different wildlife attractions, consider the Multi-Attraction Destination Pass, which starts from $50.
This Pass offers excellent value and flexibility to explore Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise, River Wonders and Night Safari at your own pace.
Individual attraction tickets are also available online.
5. How can I enjoy FREE birthday entry as a WildPass holder?
As a WildPass holder, you can enjoy FREE entry to Bird Paradise, River Wonders, or Singapore Zoo on your special day! This local resident exclusive offer is valid for 7 days from your birthday and must be accompanied by a full paying adult.
Simply redeem your birthday privilege onsite at our ticketing counters with your WildPass and valid ID showing your birth date.
6. Are the baby animals at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve part of conservation efforts?
Yes! Many of the baby animals born at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve are part of internationally managed breeding programmes aimed at maintaining genetically healthy and sustainable populations of species in human care for the long-term while supporting conservation efforts in the wild.
Examples include the endangered red-shanked douc langur, Sri Lankan leopards, and wattled crane — species that are listed as critically endangered or vulnerable.
7. What’s the best way to plan my visit to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve?
Download the Mandai App for real-time navigation, presentation times, and to book in-park experiences like feeding sessions.
Book your admission tickets ahead of time to avoid queues. If you’re visiting with kids, arrive early for the 9:45am sloth feeding session at Singapore Zoo and check the app for other scheduled activities throughout the day.
