What do Hollywood actor Tobey Maguire and Singapore Zoo have in common? They both celebrated their birthday on June 27. While "Spider-Man" turned 48, Singapore's world-class zoological institution turned a fab 50.
"It's actually my husband who's scared of bugs, so I'm the one who has to catch them at home!" she says candidly. We speak to Delvin about the new Backstage Pass: Incredible Invertebrates tour, which kicks off on Aug 6 , and how bugs play a crucial role in our ecosystem.When I was a kid, I used to come to the zoo at least once or twice a month. I used to visit the old KidzWorld. I remember taking pictures with the chimpanzees back then, and I still have those photos.
The tour allows visitors to get up close with these fascinating creatures, something they wouldn't normally have the chance to do. They will have the opportunity to experience what we do daily to care for these animals, like sorting stick insect eggs, releasing butterflies into the aviary, and feeding the scorpions.
It's similar to having caterpillars on our plants at home. If we don't understand their importance, we may want to get rid of them. But when we learn about their life cycle from egg to caterpillar to pupa to butterfly, we develop an interest in observing the entire process. We want people to understand that invertebrates are not only important but also fascinating. If you spot them at home, it becomes a perfect science lesson for kids. These are the aspects we highlight to our guests.
Invertebrates, such as ladybugs, play vital roles like eating aphids, which can harm plants. Butterflies are pollinators and indicators of the health of forest systems. It is a matter of understanding what roles they play in the ecosystem. and how important they are.Many invertebrates serve as valuable indicators of ecosystem health. For instance, the presence of dragonflies can indicate good water quality in an area.