World of Temasek is the only place where you can (virtually) encounter Singapore's extinct species in the wild. Clouded leopards, bearded pigs, Asian elephants, and Sumatran rhinoceros are just some of the examples one could encounter as one roams the island. These were unfortunately hunted to extinction. These species were abundant in ancient Temasek, and would have featured prominently in people's lives: in their folklore, their medicine and in their commerce.

Highlights:

Clouded Leopard

Be sure to look up when you find yourself under a tree in World of Temasek – you might just spot a Clouded Leopard.. These animals spend much of their life high in the trees, their large paws and long tails making them perfectly adapted to balance on branches. Today, the clouded leopard can no longer be found in Singapore, as it was hunted to extinction for its beautiful coat and for traditional medicine. A small number of clouded leopards still roam remote parts of Indonesia, but are classified as "vulnerable to extinction", due to the destruction of its native forest habitat across Southeast Asia.

Malayan Tiger

Magnificent Malayan Tigers used to roam the swamps and forests of Singapore. Given many nicknames by the Malays, notably "Pak Belang," or "Uncle Stripes," the tigers fed on sambar deer and wild pigs and, to its downfall, the occasional human being. Tiger attacks on the early settlers of colonial Singapore were a common occurrence, as they would have been in ancient Temasek. In the middle of the 19th century, attacks grew so intense that the big cats claimed one life a day. Indian convicts who were experts in hunting tigers were employed by the colonial government. Hundreds of tigers were killed, their numbers dwindled, and they eventually disappeared from the island. Despite the local legend of the last wild tiger in Singapore being shot beneath the billiard table of the Raffles Hotel, the real story is that the last tiger to roam Singapore was killed in the 1930s in the Choa Chu Kang area.

The Hornbill

In ancient Temasek the hornbill played an important role in the health of the forests as it dispersed seeds that are too big for smaller birds to eat. An adult hornbill has a “casque” (a knob on top of the bill) which is solid and can be carved like ivory. Wang Dayuan listed “fine hornbill casques” as the most famous export product of ancient Temasek. The Rhinoceros hornbill and the Helmeted hornbilll were once recorded in Singapore, but are now no longer found:  Oriental pied-hornbills however can still be seen on Pulau Ubin off Singapore’s northeast coast. A project at Pulau Ubin to provide Oriental pied-hornbills with artificial nest boxes has resulted in a revival of the species. You can get an up-close look at a hornbill in World of Temasek by following their call – a loud, staccato cackling (yak-yak-yak)!

Kingfisher

The brilliantly-colored Kingfisher still graces the trees of Singapore, particularly in mangrove swamps like the Sungei Buloh wetland reserve. The largest kingfisher species feed on fish, frogs, crabs, and even lizards. They are proud birds, fond of sitting on a branch overlooking their territory. They have a low tolerance of intruders, especially other kingfishers. Kingfisher feathers would have been in great demand in ancient Temasek for ornamental uses. One testament to the importance of the kingfisher in Malay culture is the example of the “Keris Tajon” with a hilt resembling a kingfisher bird, which has been chosen as part of the formal regalia of the King of Malaysia. As you roam World of Temasek, you may sometimes hear a harsh laugh "kak, kak, kak, kak". Look around and you’ll find the call is being made by a kingfisher.