wild places | wild happenings | wild news
make a difference for our wild places

home | links | search the site
  all articles latest | past | articles by topics | search wildnews
wild news on wildsingapore
  Sentosa Integrated Resort: Eight Wonder's Harry's Island
Extracts from Eighth Wonder's Harry's Island website
to skip intro

Coral Helix
One of the world's most environmentally-sensitive coral reefs in captivity will be created in this indoor facility, affording visitors the all-encompassing opportunity to experience and understand the value that this living eco-system represents -- and learn why coral reefs are so vitally important to the sustenance of life on the planet as we know it.

Morris Architects will build out this space, in order to realize its thematic potential, by constructing a series of interlinked translucent tunnels which will literally extend underwater, into the coral lagoon itself. As such, visitors will learn how the inhabitants of the reef live together and compete for survival. Moreover, they will see how this fragile environment benefits the living seas, and will learn what humans are doing -- and can do -- to protect the future of the world's coral reefs. From sea fans to brain coral, from crinoids to even gray reef sharks, visitors will explore the reef and its denizens like never before.

In addition, a snorkeling area situated at the top of the coral lagoon will afford visitors with yet another immersive entry and access point. Finally, a lush bromeliad garden will conceal the entry to the coral lagoon complex, in order to provide a surface counterpoint to the rich organic life that will be celebrated just beneath the water.

Deep Blue Dolphin & Whale Camp
Deep Blue is a dolphin and whale camp dedicated to marine mammal study, conversation and education. Specifically, Deep Blue provides a fun and fascinating opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in the wild world of dolphins and whales in their natural habitat.

In addition, Deep Blue seeks to increase marine conservation and research opportunities through increased awareness, informed decision-making, effective research tools and critical thinking about the oceans' complex diversity and sustainability.

Ultimately, then, by visiting Deep Blue Dolphin and Whale Camp, guests will help to support a non-profit foundation in its efforts to create a protected marine sanctuary in Southeast Asia.

Youth participants, in particular, will come away from the Camp with a new-found awareness and respect for the ocean world -- and inspiration to continue their newly-acquired education and conservation practices upon returning home.

Dolphin Exercise Run
The most intelligent inhabitants of our oceans will gain a new front in the battle to save their species when this important facility opens for operations. Visitors will be afforded the unique opportunity to see, up-close, the remarkable technology and care it takes to help these creatures survive life-threatening situations.

Specifically, the Dolphin Exercise Run will be a state-of-the-art facility where visitors will watch as rehabilitated dolphins prepare themselves for a heart-warming release back into the sea. Special tours will even allow select visitors to interact with rescue specialists and mammals for an experience that will enrich their lives forever.

Singapore Marine Mammal Research, Rescue & Teaching Center
This complex, the first of its kind in all of Asia, will have fully equipped marine laboratories with office and working space for five full-time marine research scientists and ten pre- and post-doctoral fellows, and will be operated as a bona fide marine station.

Furthermore, the Center, in association with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, will provide in-house hospital training, as well as special, unobtrusive back-of-house access to VIP visitors.

Ultimately, then, the facility will become a cutting-edge technology research center, with functioning laboratories and surgical and natal care venues, which will set the standard for marine research and rescue operations the world over.

Ocean Planet Institute's other partners, should Eighth Wonder win the bid for the Sentosa IR, will include National Geographic, Harvard Medical School's Center for Health and the Global Environment and the Marine Mammal Research Laboratory of the National University of Singapore.

Ocean Planet Institute
A marine-themed 50,000 square foot exhibition hall, the Ocean Planet Institute, a marine life educational interactive center, will be state-of-the-art.

Designed by Morris Architects and having a signature solar collector matrix surface supported on diagonally supported columns facing out onto an adjacent lagoon and dolphin run, this space will be created to promote and present its pristine, democratic ethos, as reflected in its airy and accessible spatial surroundings.

With Philippe Cousteau acting as the facility's host, visitors will take an interactive journey at this expansive discovery center that will bring the wonders of the planet's seas vividly to life for an entertaining learning experience unlike any other.

Inspired by the Smithsonian Institution, this attraction will feature engrossing activities, exhibits and stations designed to provide visitors with a singular opportunity to explore some of the most amazing and mysterious habitats and inhabitants of the Earth's oceans.

Relationship with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Harry's Island understands the critical need to promote the exploration and conservation of the Southeast Asian seas, and the attendant necessity to develop and nurture regional expertise to sustain said efforts. Accordingly, Harry's Island and Ocean Planet will partner with the world's leading oceanographic and marine science institution, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute ("WHOI"), to design and staff a marine research program that can fully leverage the Resort's research venues, vessels and educational outreach facilities.

In addition, Ocean Planet will team with local partners to build-out regional scientific capacity to sustain long-term research capability and develop new research technologies, thereby enhancing Singapore's commitment to promoting indigenous technology and engineering programs and solutions.

Singapore One and Two
Ocean Planet Institute will pioneer ocean exploration in Southeast Asia with two new research vessels, Singapore One & Singapore Two.

Conceived of by Philippe Cousteau's EarthEcho International and designed by legendary French shipbuilder Bureau D'Etudes Mauric, R/V Singapore One and Singapore Two will serve as ambassadors for the oceans, creating awareness for critical conservation issues and inspiring people all over the world to take action for their protection.

As such, R/V Singapore One and Singapore Two will have the capacity to explore the deep oceans, host scientific expeditions, act as platforms for filmmaking, and pursue educational projects for children and adults alike.

One vessel, additionally, will always be docked at Harry's Island, where guests will be welcomed onboard to watch images as they are beamed back from its sister ship out on the high seas in real time.

State-of-the-art communications, moreover, will allow R/V Singapore One and Two to upload images in real time to project Web sites, and to promote ongoing conversations between and among crew members and children around the world.

In addition, an onboard editing suite will allow productions to be broadcast to the public in real time. A multimedia-enabled conference room will also be able to host workshops and presentations on different expeditions or productions in progress.

Finally, R/V Singapore One and Two's cutting-edge submersibles will record "never-before-seen" images of the deep ocean, which will entertain and ultimately inspire viewers around the globe.

Some questions...
Why do these fish and dolphins require rehabilitation and hospitalisation?
Isn't it better to focus on prevention than cure?
Where do they come from? If they are injured, is it good to air freight them to a hospital thousands of miles away? Will they then be air freighted back all the way to point of origin for release?

links

Related articles on Sentosa IR
about the site | email ria
  News articles are reproduced for non-profit educational purposes.
 

website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com