Singapore Zoo
Set in a rainforest environment, Singapore Zoo is home to over 2,800 animals from over 300 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. The park also boasts the world's first free-ranging orang utan habitat in a zoo. Delight in an exciting outdoor feast at Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife, an internationally acclaimed, award-winning programme that offers exhilarating experience with orangutans. The fun is endless with interesting animal presentations, photography with animals and more!
Located on the north-western side of the island, the Singapore Zoo is a haven for wondrous wildlife and a must-visit for animal lovers. This beloved establishment first opened its gates to the public in 1973, and has since become one of the best rainforest zoos in the world. Besides being home to over 2,800 animals from 300 species—including crocodiles, Malayan tapirs and white tigers—the zoo has won a trove of international and local awards.
These include plaudits from Forbes Traveler as one of the best zoos in the world, the Asian Attraction Awards for Most Popular Attraction in the Wildlife Park category and the STB 22nd Tourism Award for Best Leisure Attraction Experience of the Year. It was ranked as one of the top 3 zoos in the world by the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in 2018. Take a walk on the wild side with us and discover what the Singapore Zoo has to offer.
Renowned in the whole world, Singapore Zoo is one of the rarest wildlife conservation centers that follow the ‘Open Concept’. The place holds a very strong position in conserving wildlife and the breeding programs at the international level.
Stretched across 28 hectares of the land area one should take a while away from all the glamour of the city of Singapore and take a day to experience nature's paradise that is kept treasured in the wildlife reserves of the Singapore Zoo.
It has provided a home to many species of animals including pandas, giraffes, kangaroos, orangutans, elephants, lions, sea-lions, tigers and koalas of which 30- 40 percent are threatened. The animals are sheltered here in a spacious and landscaped area, keeping in mind the natural habitat that gives them a homely feel.
Flaunting over 40 animal feeding sessions it is a place where you get to bond with the animals. In addition to that, one can also enjoy the photography opportunities, rides and the in house shows which add up to the fun.
Photo by Wesley Pribadi on Unsplash
The zoo has over time evolved to be one of the best places to visit in Singapore as it became more about learning and interactions to enhance the education of all exhibits. It encourages people to know all about wildlife conservation and species of animals in a more engaging manner.
The zoo arranges many different kinds of shows and tours like the splash safari, animal friends show, the circle of life tour, buggy tour, etc. where people get a chance to see and interact with animals.
One should surely check out the lush green tropical rainforest conserving the wildlife with all the love and care while you feed the animals and bond with them at the Singapore Zoo.
Photo by Manish Tulaskar on Unsplash
Interesting facts about Singapore Zoo
This huge area gives you the glimpse of forest life with rear animals
You can buy toys, nature-inspired mementos, articles and unique things here
Diaper changing facilities, first aid, nursing room all for the visitors’ safety
Come in and explore the park with Tram ride, that will guide you and tell stories of animals
You can easily roam around with Electric Scooter and enjoy your ride
There are special places for kids like Jurassic park and rainforest kidz world.
Wondrous wildlife
As you stroll through the Singapore Zoo’s 11 zones, you’re bound to find myriad opportunities for unforgettable encounters with its inhabitants. The amazing creatures you’ll find here make their homes in open enclosures, designed to resemble their natural habitats.
Befriend the grey kangaroos and wallabies at the Australasia exhibit, get up close to the adorable lemurs and sloths of Fragile Forest and marvel at the majestic lions and zebras of Wild Africa.
Various opportunities for up-close encounters abound at the zoo, including behind-the-scenes insights on the Wild Discoverer Tour, breakfast with wildlife and feeding sessions with animals like giraffes and elephants.
If you’re looking to nurture a love for nature in your children, sign up for the Junior Zoo Keeper camp, a full-day session that’ll give your child the satisfaction of nurturing wildlife.
Other immersive experiences include multi-day family camps that’ll have you learning about animals by day and sleeping under the stars by night.
Spectacular shows
All the zoo’s a stage, and the animals are the star performers. Spectacular shows abound at the Singapore Zoo that’re bound to enchant and educate in equal measure.
Watch Californian sea lions showing off their agility at the Splash Safari, learn amazing facts about our domesticated companions at Animal Friends and befriend the gentle giants of the Elephant Presentation.
If your family’s planning an all-day visit, be sure to drop by Rainforest Lumina, a stunning display of light, sound and spectacle that’s bound to make an impression on your little ones. Join the adorable mascots of the Creature Crew, as they fight to save the rainforest in a multimedia night walk that takes places across 10 interactive zones.
What Not to Miss at Singapore Zoo
Wish to explore the wide-ranging outdoor fun? Then get ready to experience the unique and thrilling time in the Singapore zoo that will entice both the old and young.
Getting a tour of the wildlife- Take a tour around the wildlife, it will show you the ways how the animals are fed and taken care of. There are general tours like:
1. Circle of Life Tour
There is a specially held ‘circle of life tour’ edition, that gives you unforgettable experiences. You meet several species of the Pride Land and get a chance to feed animals like the Rhino, Cheetah, and not just that it makes you go on a journey to experience the strength of the king of the jungle, ‘Lion’. You can book a tour only for children of ages 3-12 for 65 USD and adults 95 USD.
2. Wild Discover Tour
Book a buggy and hop on to go round the places through this ride and let the guide show you the variable living beings in this pure and natural habitat of their own. You also get a chance to know the animals and feed some of them like giraffes and rhinos. It will charge you 38 USD for adults whereas for children of ages 3-12, 25USD.
- Experience the fun shows and participate in befriending the animals- You can catch up with many shows that are held at the zoo. You can witness the animals along with their keepers presenting you some awesome talents at the shows like, Splash Safari show held for approx. 20 mins making you all wild and wet.
The pretty dolphins will jump and splash water onto you while they show you new ways to play with a ball.
- Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre show held in the morning at 10.30am and in the evening at 5.00pm gives you a flash of the zoo and you come to know various fun facts about the animals and the zoo.
- Animal Friends show held for approx. 20 mins. where you are allowed to bond with the beautiful animals and play with them.
- Rainforest Kidzworld Amphitheatre show held in the morning at 11.00am and at noon at 4.00pm. It showcases different species of animals playing and showing their talents while the little kids enjoy the energy of animals.
- Elephant Presentation show held for approx. 20 mins and gives us the view of the majesty of elephants and the strength of his trunk. how to playfully showing its skills.
- Elephants of Asia show held in the morning at 11.30am and 3:30 pm at noon displaying the brilliant species of elephants of Asia and how they bond with the visitors.
- Rainforest Fights Back show held for approx. 20 mins
Miscellaneous Activities
One can also choose to camp around the zoo. You can spend some quality time with your family while you look around at the beautiful animals. One can also opt-in to the participation of feeding the animals to encourage the kids to learn about animals as the keepers share their side of stories.
Zones at Singapore Zoo
1. Australasia:
This popular exhibit is home to Goodfellow's tree kangaroos, grey kangaroos, agile wallabies, a cassowary, and magpie geese. It is situated on the western side of the Singapore zoo and is known as the land of marsupials. The kids can enjoy the Kangaroo-Wallaby feeding session where these animals eat from the visitors' hands.
2. Fragile Forest:
This is a twenty thousand cubic meter biodome that replicates a tropical rainforest habitat. Fragile Forest houses wildlife species from different equatorial rainforests in the world. You can spot Frogs, Toads, Rhinoceros Beetles, Stingrays, Butterflies, Lemurs, Sloths, Crowned Pigeons, Iguanas, Malayan Flying Fox, etc.
3. Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia:
The Great Rift Valley exhibit showcases the rich biodiversity of Ethiopia's dry savannah bioclimatic zone. This zone has diverse species of animals from East Africa, including Banded Mongoose, Hamadryas Baboon, and Nubian Ibex. You can also see here authentic Ethiopian-style huts that will teleport you to Ethiopia.
4. Primate Kingdom:
It is situated near the "Australian Outback" section of the Singapore zoo and houses thirty-nine species of primates. You can see here various primates such as Patas Monkey, Douc Langur, Javan Langurs, Spider Monkey, Lion-tailed Macaque, Sulawesi Crested Macaque, Colobus Monkey, Brown Capuchin, etc.
5. Rainforest KidzWorld:
Rainforest KidzWorld is a large Children's Wet Play Area where you can get closer to the animals, slide in water slides and splash water. You can also enjoy activities here like a rope course, water playground, and pony rides.
6. Reptile Garden:
Learn more about the lives of dinosaurs that have been around for centuries at Reptile Garden. Some of the reptiles that you can spot here include False Gavial, Rhino Iguana, and many snakes like Reticulated Python, King Cobra, and RattleSnake.
7. Reptopia:
This is one of the best exhibits of the Singapore zoo that houses over sixty species of amphibians and reptiles from four geographical zones. The reptiles are divided into various sections- Indo-Pacific, African Jungles, Neotropical Rainforests, and Deserts of the World. You can find weird-looking lizards here like bearded dragons, Gila monsters, and skink, and several species of chameleon.
8. Tortoise Shell-ter:
The exhibit houses critically endangered and extremely rare species of tortoises and other animals coexisting with them. You can see elongated tortoises, Indian star tortoises, red-footed tortoises, yellow-footed tortoises, Burmese star tortoises, and many other species here.
Here, you can learn about 'shell-ebrities'- the world's rarest tortoises - and conservation efforts taken by the zoo authorities to increase their numbers.
9. Treetops Trail:
Treetops Trail replicates a rainforest habitat, and you can spot here animals such as Tamarin, False Gavial, Lemur, White-faced Saki Monkey, Siamang, etc. It also has a beautiful pond that is frequented by these rainforest animals to drink water.
10. Wild Africa:
Experience the splendors of African plains by visiting the Wild Africa zone that features animals that hail from the African continent. You can spot here animals like red river hogs, cheetah, African elephant, Southern white rhinoceros, and African Wild Dogs. The kids can feed animals here and learn more about the diverse African species.
11. Elephants of Asia:
Built on the banks of the Seletar Reservoir, Elephants of Asia is a one-hectare exhibit that consists of five female elephants- Komali, Gambir, Intan, Jati, and Aprila.
The exhibit has a large pond, a yard, and a waterfall, and elephant demonstrations and feeding sessions are held daily for visitors. You can interact with elephants, know about their behavior and get to know about the ill-effects of elephant labor.
Types of Shows at Singapore
1. Splash Safari:
Get ready to have a wet and wacky time by enjoying a splash safari, an action-packed show starring an amazing sea lion. During this fantastic animal show, you can capture a sea lion doing a flip and splashing in the water, balancing a ball on its nose, doing summersaults, and catching the ball.
You can enjoy many other interesting activities that will tickle your bones and make you feel awe-struck seeing the talent of the animals.
2. Animal Friends:
This is an amazing animal show featuring some domestic animals like cats and dogs that were once abandoned pets. The show is organized at Rainforest Kidzworld Amphitheatre, which is Singapore Zoo's children's area.
You can see here the classic cat-and-mouse escapade that you usually see in cartoons and watch the dogs making gravity-defying jumps. Your kids can interact with the animals and even click pictures with them after the show.
3. Elephant Presentation:
Elephant Presentation is a great show that gives you a chance to know about the unique personalities and quirks of five female Asian elephants. Come find out how friendly, intelligent, strong, and gentle these elephants are by attending this show.
During the show, you can watch five female elephants Komali, Gambir, Jati, Aprilia forage, and Intan, interact with each other and the keepers. The show promises to be an educational experience and aims to raise conservation awareness.
4. Rainforest Fights Back:
This engaging and entertaining show features a diverse range of unique rainforest animals. You might even get a chance to get closer to a snake and click amazing pictures with them. Be awed as the birds jump and fly above and show their amazing skills and find out how these animals' lives have been affected by humans.
Shows at the Singapore Zoo
Getting Around the Zoo
Tram: Singapore Zoo is spread over 28 hectares and covering the entire distance on foot can be exhausting for anyone. The best way to explore the area is by taking a guided tram ride. Adults need to pay SGD 5 for a tram ride while the ticket for a child between the age of 3 and 12 costs SGD 3. The comfortable tram takes one through different parts of the zoo along with narrating interesting stories about the animals residing there. The unlimited tram rides operate every day from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Some of the trams feature wheelchair-accessibility. Head to either of the 4 tram stations to board a tram that offers a relaxing and informative trip.
Stroller: Families travelling with infants or toddlers can rent strollers for a fee of SGD 9. For young children, parents can rent a wagon for SGD 15 that is big enough to accommodate 2 children.
Electric Scooter: Anyone over the age of 16 can rent an electric scooter and enjoy ultimate convenience while exploring the zoo. For the first 3 hours, SGD 20 has to be paid for an electric scooter and SGD 5 every succeeding hour.
Free Wheelchair: The zoo also offers wheelchairs for free to guests.
Singapore Zoo Tours
Wild Discoverer Tour:
A guided tour that takes one through the most popular exhibits of the zoo, along with fun facts about the animals. Tourists are also given the opportunity to feed and interact with rhinos and giant tortoises.
Timings: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM,
Cost:
Adults: SGD 38,
Children (3 - 12 years): SGD 25,
Fragile Forest Tour:
This tour involves an in-depth look at the insects of the zoo. One also has the opportunity of feeding the animals of the biodome, especially the bats.
Timings: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM,
Cost:
Adults: SGD 98,
Children (3 - 12 years): SGD 65,
RepTopia Tour:
This tour allows visitors to get up close with the reptiles and amphibians of RepTopia, including the sleek snakes and exotic dragons. One will also have the opportunity to feed these creatures.
Timings: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM,
Cost:
Adults: SGD 98,
Children (3 - 12 years): SGD 65
Activities
Keeper’ Chit Chat:
Get to interact with the animal keepers at the Singapore Zoo and learn about different animals. From their history to eating habits, the keepers educate you on plenty of things related to the lifestyle of the animals at the zoo.
Feed the Animals:
At the Singapore Zoo, one can indulge in a variety of animal feeding sessions that are interactive and fun. Visitors can buy animal food onsite and enjoy feeding various inhabitants of the zoo like elephants, white rhinoceros, giraffe, and goats.
For Kids:
Children can indulge in an array of joyful activities at the Singapore Zoo. They can visit the Bunny Barn and play with furry bunnies and feed them. They can experience the life of cowboys by going on a pony ride that costs SGD 6. Kids can relax and play in the Wet Play Area full of water slides and climbers. They can also enjoy merry go rounds and hang out with zookeepers for learning about the daily routines of the animals at the zoo.
Camping:
There are 3 different camps at the zoo that offer a truly unique experience to everyone from adults to young children. The Junior Zookeeper camp lets kids between the age of 11 and 14 take up the responsibility of zookeepers and care for the animals for SGD 300. The Sleep with the Beasts Camp is an ideal choice for families travelling with children. Set camp under the open sky and enjoy many perks like night safari for a cost of SGD 190. Lastly, the zoo offers a Zoo Explorer Camp that lasts for 3 days and costs SGD 420, lets kids acquire knowledge of animals by interacting and looking after them.
Here is the list of places to eat & shop in Singapore Zoo:
1. Pollen:
If you wish to have an elegant dining experience, you must visit Pollen, renowned for its fantastic food and wonderful ambiance. It is set within a Mediterranean garden, and you can enjoy modern interpretive cuisines here. The epicurean journey is led by chef Michael Wilson, whose menu draws inspiration from nature's bounty, evolving with seasons.
Some of the tasty dishes that you must try here include lettuce gazpacho with burrata, cucumber, Espelette pepper, whey granita, and beef heart tomato marigold with sheep's curd, and black garlic balsamic.
2. Majestic Bay Seafood Restaurant:
If you're looking for the best place for seafood indulgence with your family and friends, Majestic Bay Seafood Restaurant should be your ideal destination.
It is the first seafood-themed restaurant of the Majestic Group, offering a buffet, four-course meals, desserts, and appetizers.Pan-seared Chilli Crab Meat Buns, Baby Pork Belly Ribs, and Steamed Lobster with Ee-fu Noodles Are the specialty of this restaurant.
3. McDonald's:
Spice up your dining experience by visiting McDonald's, which is a fast-food chain that features everything from burgers to breakfast menu items and more!Whether it's a perfect power lunch, energy-boosting breakfast, or delectable dinner, you can visit McDonald's any time of the day to enjoy a culinary treat.
It is best known for its cheeseburgers, french fries, burgers, chicken items, sodas, milkshakes, sweets, and wraps.
4. Satay by the Bay:
Feast on the must-try delights of Singapore while enjoying the breathtaking views of the waterfront by visiting Satay by the Bay. It gives you a feel of the old Satay Club, and you can enjoy here succulent seafood to tender chunks of satay and delectable desserts.
5. Fennel Cafe Active Garden:
Situated along the Waterfront Promenade alongside Reservoir Marina, Fennel Cafe Active Garden is a spacious ninety-seater restaurant with indoor and outdoor seats.
This restaurant offers a unique Barbeque experience, and it features customized 4 tonnes, oven-fired with apple and almond woods, and three elevation grills. You can enjoy light bites like pastries, sandwiches, croissants, cakes, and drinks like coffee, beers, wines, and tea.
6. Cafe Crema:
Take "chilling with friends" to an entirely new level by visiting Cafe Crema, renowned for its unbeatable food, world-class service, and electrifying ambiance. It is an Italian-inspired cafe where you can enjoy fine espresso-based drinks and gourmet light bites that are skillfully and passionately handcrafted by experienced baristas.
7. The Social Kitchen:
This is the first social enterprise cloud kitchen in Singapore that provides employment to people with special needs. This restaurant was opened to encourage consumers to adopt a more plant-based lifestyle by eating less animal meat.
Bringing popular food brands under one roof, this restaurant is the perfect place to grab a quick breather or even catch up with your friends over local favorites. This restaurant gives a unique vegetarian spin to your nostalgic meat favorites without compromising on taste or texture.
Some of the classic delicacies that you must try here include- seafood hor fun, seafood mui fun, laksa, miso salmon, and no beef rendang shepherd's pie.
For an amazing shopping experience
From a great variety of momentos inspired by the beautiful nature to an array of toys in abundance, one can find many unique things to take home as souvenirs that will give you the memory of a visit to this lovely Singapore Zoo. One can locate these shops in the zoo:
- Zoo entrance (Main Outlet)
- Shaw Amphitheatre
- Rainforest Kidzworld
Places to Visit near Singapore Zoo
It is a gorgeous zoo with the theme of the river and aquarium. A great place to visit surely near the Singapore Zoo as it is nestled in between the zoo and the Night Safari. Renowned as Asia’s only and first river theme park, it is a fun and relaxing place to spend a vacation with your family.
The place offers you fun boat rides that prove to be the main highlight that takes you around the park and make you witness the 10 different ecosystems with around 300 species of animals. The time to visit this place is 10 am till 7:30 pm.
2. Rainforest Kidzworld:
When looking for places to visit near the Singapore Zoo then the highlight is the Rainforest Kidzworld. Meant for the young ones it is themed to be an enthralling animal wonderland. The kids can have fun and participate in the endless list of tasks at this place.
Activities like petting goats, feeding the animals, or hopping on a pony for a ride will keep the little ones entertained. Also, there is a water playground too where they can head over to have a splash and go look around for the cute furry little animals.
Considered as one of the most famous tourist spots in Singapore it is the world’s first-midnight zoo. One should absolutely check out this night zoo offering you tram rides and also walking trails that take you through those magnificent rainforests past the elephants, leopards, and the royal tigers.
It shelters home to around 900 animals out of which 41% are endangered. The timings to visit this place are from 7:15 pm up till midnight. The Night Safari regularly features cultural performances, tribal dances, and blowpipe demonstrations also.
Enjoy an intimate encounter with the avian species at Jurong Bird Park, the largest aviary in Asia. Covering an area of 20.2 hectares on the western slope of Jurong hills, this bird-themed aviary offers both dry and wet play zones along with a game room for kids and a multi-purpose pavilion.
It houses a collection of over five thousand birds from four species, and the main attraction of this bird park is the Waterfall Aviary, one of the largest walk-in aviaries in the world. Get a chance to be acquainted with some of the most beautiful birds during their feeding session or enjoy lip-smacking delicacies while watching different types of parrots.
Hotels near Night Safari to stay
Situated at the heart of the city’s premier shopping district, with the world-class shopping of Orchard Road at your doorstep and the grandeurs of a 5-star hotel within, The St. Regis Singapore is the ideal residence for the discerning luxury traveller. Immerse in exquisite experiences highlighted by 299 luxuriously-appointed rooms and suites, signature restaurants and bars as well as the award-winning Remède Spa. From its location at the most coveted address, set at the crossroads of the embassy district and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Singapore Botanic Gardens, to the legendary St. Regis Butler Service and one of the largest private art collections in the city, this is world-class hospitality at its finest. The St. Regis Singapore has been certified as an SG Clean establishment. With an SG Clean certification, the hotel is committed to upholding good sanitation and hygiene practices backed by the National Environment Agency, Enterprise Singapore and Singapore Tourism Board.
2. InterContinental Singapore
Located on the fringe of Marina Bay precinct, InterContinental® Singapore is a luxury landmark deeply rooted in the heritage of the arts and cultural districts of Bugis and Bras Basah. Positioned in close proximity to established historical enclaves including Arab Street, Kampong Glam and Little India, InterContinental Singapore is also conveniently located next to Bugis Junction shopping complex, Singapore's first glass-covered air-conditioned shopping street.
3. The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
Located downtown in the charming civic and cultural district, the iconic Capitol Building and Stamford House are unveiled as The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore. Blending beautifully conserved architecture with modern touches, this exclusive retreat promises luxury at its finest. The discovery continues with unparalleled shopping and dining experiences within footsteps, and the direct access to the legendary Capitol Theatre, for hosting celebratory galas and extraordinary gatherings.
4. Ramada by Wyndham Singapore at Zhongshan Park
Awarded Best Mid-Range Hotel for 5th time at the 30th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2019, the Ramada by Wyndham Singapore at Zhongshan Park offers 382 well-appointed guest rooms in a contemporary design, catering to both business and leisure travellers. Each room features amenities such as a 40-inch flat screen TV with cable channel access, complimentary in-room WIFI access and an in-room safe. With 540 square metres of meeting and banquet space, Ramada Singapore offers a perfect setting for corporate meetings, wedding banquets and private parties. The hotel ballroom and function room are equipped with the flexibility to accommodate events requiring various set-ups. Alongside facilities such as a 30-metre swimming pool, 24-hour fitness centre as well as a business centre; the hotel’s restaurant, New Ubin Zhongshan Park, serves up hearty tze char and brings guests a Truly Singaporean experience.
5. ibis Singapore Novena
ibis Singapore Novena is located on the intersection of Irrawaddy and Balestier Road and 8 mins walk to Novena MRT Station. Ideal for business, medical and leisure travelers, the hotel offers complimentary WIFI, international power sockets, parking, a handy phone with unlimited mobile internet and local & international calls for selected countries. Oopen Pasta and Grill serves an international buffet breakfast and chef's delectable selection, hotel is a stone's throw from heritage sites and authentic local food trails. Hotel also provides a complimentary shuttle to Novena MRT Station.
Highlights
Reptopia - It is home to over 55 species of amphibians and reptiles, that will take you the four geographical zones
Bearded dragon - It is from the lizard family, they are found in Australia in deserts, and woodlands.
Brown Lemor - They are hunted for food, thereby are a threatened species
Rain Forest Fight Back Show features diversity in animals
Breakfast with orangutans where you can take some good photos with your family which is one of its kind dining experiences.
Animal feeding trail which is all about the connection with wildlife and humans.
Tips for Visiting Singapore Zoo
You can book your tickets online for the Zoo visit prior only so that you don’t need to wait in the queue at the ticket counter.
For the people looking out for the bus service to drop you to the Singapore Zoo, they can book their seats on the Mandai Express. It picks you up in the morning from various locations and drops you at the zoo.
People visiting with babies or young children can rent prams and wagons as the distance is a lot to cover inside the zoo.
One should always carry a hat when visiting the zoo as the tropical weather of the zoo can become extremely hot.
Carry your water bottles as the place aims to conserve water and so they suggest bringing your reusable bottles. They can be refilled at the water cooler provided at the Ah Meng Bistro.
Animal shows are known to be a great part of visiting the zoo. After the show ends one should wait around and meet the animals. One can also get a chance to click a picture with them.
One should bring swimwear for their kids when they visit the Rainforest Kidzworld in the Singapore Zoo as it is a water playground for kids.
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