Crate-Trained Tigers: Watch as Mandai Wildlife Reserve Relocates Their Malayan Tigers

Seamless Move to Rainforest Wild ASIA

Two Malayan tigers have officially taken up residence in their new home at Rainforest Wild ASIA, Singapore Zoo’s latest immersive rainforest exhibit.

The relocation, documented in a video released on 30 May, shows the large cats being calmly and safely moved without sedation—an impressive feat made possible through months of careful crate training.

A 75-ton lorry crane equipped with an extended fly-jib arm hoisted the massive crates containing the tigers up two storeys. Guide ropes kept the crates steady as they were manoeuvred into the new enclosure. Zoo staff, who had monitored the tigers closely throughout the process, described the animals as remarkably calm. One of the tigers even dozed off inside the crate.

Once in position, workers opened the hatch to the enclosure. The tigers confidently stepped out and began exploring their surroundings. One stretched up to check on his sibling beyond a wall. Staff described the scene as a success, with one saying, “Happy staff, happy animals, happy guests.”

Tigers Now at Home in Rainforest Wild ASIA

The successful relocation marks another step in Mandai Wildlife Group’s efforts to provide high-quality care and naturalistic habitats for endangered species.

The newly built Rainforest Wild ASIA exhibit simulates a lush Southeast Asian rainforest and allows visitors to observe the tigers in an environment closer to their natural habitat.

With no need for sedation, the move relied entirely on the trust built between keepers and animals. The tigers’ smooth transition is a testament to the team’s planning, training, and animal welfare standards.

Malayan Tigers: A Vanishing Species

The Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni) is native to the Malay Peninsula and is classified as critically endangered. Once apex predators in the region, these powerful animals—capable of taking down prey weighing up to a ton—now face severe threats due to habitat loss and poaching.

Although protected under law, tiger parts remain in high demand. In 2012, authorities in Kedah, Malaysia, confiscated remains linked to at least 22 tigers. Conservation groups continue to find illegal snares and hunting camps, even in designated protected areas.

Singapore’s Forgotten Tiger History

Malayan tigers once roamed Singapore’s forests, but their fate shifted drastically following urban development. As plantations expanded in the early 1800s, human-tiger encounters became more frequent. In the 1850s, local reports claimed tiger attacks occurred daily; an exaggeration, given their dwindling numbers.

By the 1870s, tiger sightings had nearly ceased. The last tiger in Singapore was shot in Choa Chu Kang in 1930. Today, these majestic animals live on only in captivity, serving as both ambassadors for their species and reminders of the region’s lost biodiversity.

Visitors can now catch a glimpse of these tigers, fully settled into their new habitat at Rainforest Wild ASIA, where they are safe, cared for, and helping to inspire conservation efforts across Southeast Asia.

Watch the video here:

@mandaiwildlifereserve

Their move to Rainforest Wild ASIA went without a hitch, with the safety and comfort of our tigers as the top priority. 🐅🐅 They were calm and one even snoozed through it. No need for sedation, just trust. Now, they’re right at home in Rainforest Wild ASIA. #MandaiWildlifeReserve #RainforestWildASIA #BehindTheGreens #BTG #MalayanTiger #learn #funfacts #sg #cuteanimals

♬ original sound – Mandai Wildlife Reserve – Mandai Wildlife Reserve