Great New Things To Do In Singapore: Try Out Wildlife-inspired Menus and Contribute to Conservation

What is the relationship between wildlife, nature and people? Did you know that animals each have a role in the ecosystem which helps keep it in balance and thriving?

Mandai Wildlife Group is launching a new campaign, Choose Good with Mandai, which focuses on the intrinsic value of wildlife to raise awareness of the symbiotic relationship between people, nature and the world.

The campaign will highlight different actions we can take daily – conscious choices which will go a long way in protecting wildlife and preserving natural resources for future generations – like consuming plant-based foods and saving ‘ugly foods’, to choosing products that are sustainably sourced and made. The Choose Good with Mandai initiative hopes to draw people towards simple ways of lowering their environmental impact, and at the same time, inspire a deeper appreciation for nature and wildlife.

As part of the campaign, members of the public can look forward to the rollout of two key activities – the Choose Good Food Trail which runs from 21 October to 25 November 2022, and the Choose Good Game Challenge which takes place from 18 November to 16 December 2022.

The Choose Good Food Trail kickstarts the campaign. Mandai Wildlife Group has teamed up with 20 like-minded F&B brands to create exclusive food items and grocery bundles inspired by the diets of wildlife such as bananas, papayas, seeds and grains. The initiative hopes to spark conversations about the roles that animal species play in our natural ecosystem which contribute to a healthy planet while highlighting the dependencies between wildlife and humans.

This collaboration spotlights 14 animal species including the Celebes Crested Macaque, Malayan Sun Bear and Asian Small-Clawed Otter.

The partners have also committed a portion of their proceeds from the items created, for Mandai Wildlife Group’s conservation efforts in Singapore and the region.

The curated food trail highlights three important roles each species plays in maintaining balance in the ecosystem - through seed dispersal, nutrient cycling and managing wildlife populations:

• While foraging for food, animals disperse seeds which contributes to the growth of more trees that provide shelter, clean air, food and much more. Inspired by the diet of the Celebes Crested Macaque, The Social Space has concocted a smoothie bowl, Monkey Business, which incorporates the macaque’s favourite foods – dragon fruit, papaya and banana – plus soy milk and honey. Meanwhile, Birds of Paradise will launch a new sorbet flavour – Cucumber & Double Mint, which is inspired by the diet of the Sumatran Orangutan.

• Whether as predator, prey or decomposer, each species has a role to play in preserving ecological balance such as maintaining stability in wildlife populations and vegetation growth. One such contributor is the Asian Small-Clawed Otter. GoodFoodPeople presents its new Garlic Seafood with Pesto Pasta that takes reference from one of the otter’s favourite foods - prawn - while Raw Kitchen Bar has created a Pulled Beef Toast using plant-based protein to celebrate the Malayan Tiger, an apex predator and keystone species of its ecosystem.

• Animals promote nutrient cycling by loosening the soil when digging for food on the forest floor. To champion the world’s smallest species of bear and its role in the ecosystem, Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie has created a Mixed Fruit Chocolate Bar with some of the Sun Bear’s favourite foods - fig, banana, coconut and honey, while Huggs Coffee will push out a special bundle consisting of Pesto Chicken Wrap, Honey Lemon and a Banana Walnut Muffin. Also taking reference from the diet of another bear species – the Asiatic Black Bear, Grain Traders is rolling out a Mandai Hero Bowl, a treat ideal for lunch, while Little Farms whips up an Avocado, Quinoa, Feta Bowl.

Embark on this journey of discovery about the importance of wildlife in our world and rally others to join in by sharing your experience on social media with #choosegoodwithMandai. Posts on Instagram that include at least five dishes from the Choose Good Food Trail stand to win prizes worth up to SGD5,600.

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The second part of the campaign features the Choose Good Game Challenge where the public can choose their favourite animal character and go on adventures to save ugly food, as well as collect sustainably sourced seafood and plant-based food items. The game is set against everyday backdrops and living spaces such as the supermarket and kitchen.

Through light-hearted educational comics and fun facts, players will learn about how conscious choices go a long way in protecting the environment. For instance, they will look out for seafood packaging with labels like the ASC green tick or the BAP logo that involve processes which do not harm the ecosystem.

Players learn that they can make good choices by opting for seafood that is responsibly fished or farmed instead of products derived from trawling which is widely used but destructive to the environment.

The Choose Good Game Challenge encourages players to progress through stages where they get to make more good choices. Prizes include the signature Panda Tour at River Wonders and a private buggy tour around Singapore Zoo, amongst many others.

Mandai Wildlife Group is dedicated to caring for the planet and protecting animals and nature. Conservation education is intrinsic in all interactions with the Group, to inspire action for a healthier world. This initiative is an extension of the refreshed master brand which the Group launched in October last year to bring people, communities and partners together to save species from extinction and ensure that biodiversity thrives.

Choose Good with Mandai highlights that everyone can be involved in wildlife conservation by simply making good choices every day.

For more information on the Choose Good with Mandai campaign, please visit here.

a. 80 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729826

e. [email protected]

w. www.mandai.com

s. www.facebook.com/MandaiWildlifeReserve

t. +65 6269 3411

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