Singapore to expand zoo area by 2020

Singapore Zoo will be more spectacular by 2020, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Thursday.

Speaking at a dialogue session broadcast live on local news outlet Channel NewsAsia, Lee said that the authorities are planning to expand the area where the zoo is, and that this could include relocating the Bird Park in the western district of Jurong to Mandai in the central part of the island.

The development plans will focus on enhancing and not infringing the nature reserve, Lee said.

"You want to have an attraction which is like Gardens by the Bay. So it's not a place where you just go to see some animals, but you also have public areas where you can wander around, you can take wedding pictures and you can enjoy the waterfront and watch the sunset on Upper Seletar Reservoir," he said, referring to a reservior in the area near the zoo.

"I think it can be a very beautiful and nice place," Lee added.

The current Singapore Zoo, the Night Safari and the River Safari are all located in the central district of Mandai. These parks and the Jurong Bird Park in the western part of the island have been known as some of Singapore's most popular sites for tourists and local visitors.