Traditionally, the zoo is the go-to destination when we want to see animals in the flesh. But as more species become at risk of extinction, the number of animals we can see IRL is dwindling.
If that tugs at your heartstrings – or if you simply want to see something impressive – Love the Last March is finally in Singapore. Hailed as the longest sculpture in the world, this free public exhibit has made its home at Gardens by the Bay. Here’s what you can expect:
Unveiled on National Endangered Species Day on 19th May 2023, the 192m-long sculpture at GBTB, features 45 endangered animals such as the majestic mountain gorilla and the adorable Northern hairy-nosed wombat.
The species of the animals were thoughtfully chosen to display a diverse collection of endangered animals from various habitats worldwide.
If catching a glimpse of animals such as the Black Rhino in Africa is on your bucket list but you’re still mustering up all your leave days to make that happen, catch a “sneak peek” at Love the Last March instead. Additionally, keep an eye out for animals that might look familiar like the orangutan, which you may have seen at the Singapore Zoo.
Interact with these animals and get to appreciate the sheer size of these sculptures.
The animal sculptures, crafted from recycled bronze collected from all over the world, are also massive. Picture a dolphin stretching out as long as a car and a giraffe standing at a height comparable to the length of a room in an HDB flat.
Perhaps introduce yourself to the animals, or tell them a little fun fact that nobody knows.
If you’ve run out of cool backdrops for your OOTD shots, this is it. Rather than observing from a distance, you have the opportunity to engage with these huge sculptures. Feel free to have fun posing with them to get amusing shots.
And while the kids may never get to run their hands through the scales of the Philippine Crocodile IRL, this makes a good educational experience for them. The sculptures closely mimic the bodies of the animals, allowing children to learn about their features in a hands-on way.
Besides admiring the bronze sculptures and observing the intricate details that go into each one, Love the Last March also gives you a chance to enrich your knowledge as you stroll along the lineup of animals.
Each sculpture is accompanied by a plaque housing QR codes that can be scanned using your mobile phone.
By scanning these codes, you can learn fascinating details about each species – whether it’s their behaviours, diet, or threats they face in the wild. For instance, we bet you didn’t know that the Giant Pacific Octopus has 9 brains and 3 hearts.
You can also use the QR codes on display to bring the sculptures to life through an augmented reality experience, allowing you to watch the animals march through the garden.
The sculptures are located at Silver Leaf Gardens, which is just outside the Flower Dome. It’s a 10-minute walk from the new Gardens By The Bay MRT station. Alternatively, you can also get there from Bayfront MRT station, although the walk will be slightly longer.
Endangered species play a critical role in maintaining our planet’s biodiversity. However, many of them face the threat of disappearing forever, and their loss could have significant consequences. That’s why it’s essential to pay attention to the issue of extinction so that we can protect these creatures before it’s too late.
Not only will you get to see a magnificent display of these precious animals, but you’ll also have the opportunity to get first dibs on the longest sculpture in the world, which is here to stay for a year. Best of all, it’s FOC.
Admission: Free
Date: 19th May 2023 to 18th May 2024
Venue: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Gardens by the Bay Floral Clock, Singapore 018953
Contact: 6420 6848
For more events in Singapore:
Photography by John Lim.
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