From catwalk to Big Walk

It was a day out at the zoo for The New Paper New Face 2016 winner Kim Min Pei Lam on Thursday.

The Nanyang Technological University student had a sneak peek of the route for this year's The New Paper Courts Big Walk, at the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari on Nov 26.

"I am really excited to see all the cute animals and take selfies with them," said the 22-year-old Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information student.

She soon got her first chance, with Jubilee, the first giraffe calf to be born in the zoo in 28 years.

Jubilee, which was born on Aug 31 last year, is named after Singapore's SG50 celebrations.

"I know he is only a baby but he is already so tall," said Kim.

CALM

Jubilee appeared calm and had a separate area to feed in, which was catered to its height. It tried to stay close to its mother Roni, which arrived at the zoo in 2005.

But Kim was able to snap a selfie with it when it ventured towards its feeding area.

The next stop was the orang utan habitat, where Kim met the new Ah Meng.

After the iconic Ah Meng died of old age in 2008, its granddaughter Ishta took on the name this year and is now the face of the Singapore Zoo.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KIM MIN PEI LAM

Kim was able to stand very close to the orang utans as they ate nuts but was not allowed to touch them.

She was taken aback by their human-like behaviour as they ate in a disciplined manner and would immediately obey their trainer's commands.

Said Kim: "They are really intelligent, I can feel it. It was quite surprising and I could really see how similar they are to humans."

Soon, it was time to meet the zoo's newest additions – the tree kangaroos.

Makaia, a "miracle" male Goodfellow's tree kangaroo, was adopted by a wallaby at the Adelaide Zoo in Australia when it was seven weeks old after its mother died.

It was moved to the Singapore Zoo in July and paired with female tree kangaroo, Nupela, in the hope that they will mate and help to continue the survival of their endangered species.

"So cute!" was the squeal from Kim when she spotted Makaia, which was feeding.

Kim quickly snapped a selfie when it finally looked up from its food.

Over at the Night Safari, Kim met the adorable and cheeky Neha, the safari's newest elephant.

The boisterous female, born in May this year, chased birds and played in the mud while the adult elephants looked on patiently.

"She's like an excited little puppy!" said Kim.

She added: "My favourite animal is usually the elephant but today, the tree kangaroo really won me over.

"I know I saw only one of them but they are really adorable and hearing how the zoo wants them to mate and have babies, I think that is really magical."

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WHEN

Saturday, Nov 26, 2pm

WHERE

Singapore Zoo & Night Safari

HOW

Register online at www.tnpbigwalk.sg

REGISTRATION FEE

$42 ($35 for early-bird sign-ups)

BONUS

Discounted tickets to the River Safari at $8 each with every registration (maximum of four tickets per participant)

WIN

• A Harley-Davidson Street 750 bike worth $17,000
• A total of $28,000 worth of lucky draw prizes

MORE

• Courts Megastore 10th Anniversary logos will be planted along the route of The New Paper Courts Big Walk.
• Count the total number of logos you spot on the way, visit the Courts Megastore and answer the question correctly to redeem a FREE goodie bag.