Singapore trying hard to make LEE KUAN YEW return

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Singapore Zoo unveils the new Ah Meng
By Justin Ong and Holly Matthews
POSTED: 26 Feb 2016 12:06 **UPDATED: 26 Feb 2016 19:57

Meet the new Ah Meng: Ishta, granddaughter of the original Singapore Zoo icon. (Photo: Justin Ong)

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SINGAPORE: The Singapore Zoo on Friday (Feb 26) has named Ishta as its “new” Ah Meng - taking over the ambassadorial mantle and the name of her iconic grandmother, who died eight years ago.

Ah Meng, like her grandmother, is a Sumatran orang utan - one of the 25 most endangered primates in the world, with about 6,600 left in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).



It was previously revealed that either Chomel, 19, or Ishta, who turns five this year, will take on the iconic orang utan's name.



The unveiling took place a day before the Safari Zoo Run, which from this year onwards will shift from commemorating the original Ah Meng to celebrating the zoo's new ambassador.

NO MORE UP-CLOSE-AND-PERSONAL SESSIONS

The zoo said Ishta has not only inherited her grandmother's looks, but also her gentle nature. She is caring and affectionate with her fellow orang utans and people alike.

Unlike her grandmother, visitors to the zoo will no longer be allowed be up close to the new Ah Meng or even touch her. However, visitors can see her four times a week at the zoo's "Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife", playing with other apes in a small forest habitat next to the Ah Meng restaurant.

She can also be spotted swinging about or chilling in the free-ranging orang utan habitat and at some photography sessions.

The zoo says this change is for the benefit of the animals, to show them in a more natural setting.

"People now are really more educated, and this gives us the opportunity to talk more about these critically endangered great apes," said Mr Kumaran Sesshe, head keeper for great apes at the zoo. "You know, so, by them coming down for breakfast, we can actually tell visitors the plight these orang utans are facing in the wild, and also why we stopped human and primate contact.

"I think it's good for the animal as well; people are understanding now. I don't see a drop in people loving these animals. More people are actually loving these animals and coming for the programmes."


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