4 animals in Singapore with a higher net worth than you

4 animals in Singapore with a higher net worth than you

Net worth is defined as the amount by which an individual's or businesses' assets exceed its liabilities. The concept of net worth is often used in business and economics to gauge how valuable an entity is.

According to statistics highlighted in the ValuePenguin study, the average household debt per capita in Singapore is $55,112.

With most Singaporeans holding a not-insignificant debt in the form of mortgage for their homes, we got thinking: could there not be some prominent animals in Singapore that might have a higher "net worth" than the average Singaporean?

This article is written with tongue firmly in cheek as a way to explore concepts of assets, liabilities, net worth and show cute pictures of animals!

As far as our research team can tell, no known financial institution has ever loaned these animals any money, so their liabilities can safely be placed at $0.

Inuka the Polar Bear

PHOTO: Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Inuka is a true blue Singaporean. Born in 1990 at the Singapore Zoo, Inuka just celebrated his 26th birthday last December.

In human terms though, Inuka is equivalent to a 70 year old senior citizen. If Inuka has CPF, he would be enjoying monthly CPF LIFE payouts!

GamechangerDaily, Inuka consumes nearly 30kg of food per day, consisting of meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables. Inuka is currently under a special "senior animal care" programme, with his daily needs taken care of by a team of dedicated keepers.

Assets: $8 million home the size of 2.5 basketball courts, complete with an ice cave, huge pool and waterfall!

 

Pandas Jia Jia and Kai Kai

PHOTO: Facebook/Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

Pandas Jia Jia and Kai Kai arrived in Singapore 5 years ago on a chartered Singapore Airlines Boeing 747 cargo jet that stopped at an exclusive terminal normally reserved for foreign dignitaries, celebrities and wealthy flyers. Minister of State Teo Ser Luck was there to welcome them.

This lovely couple (who are finally trying to have children, after much encouragement and pressure from everyone) are in Singapore for a 10-year stint.

Assets: $8.6 million dollar, 1,500 square metre, custom-built panda enclosure in River Safari. Live plants, boulders and waterfalls have been installed to simulate the pandas' natural habitat in southwest China's Szechuan province.

Their accommodation is maintained at a temperature of between 18 and 22 degrees. Yes, they enjoy 24/7 air-conditioning!

Their home took a year to complete, consisting of a dedicated den and nursery for baby pandas constructed in advance. In other words, its faster to build than a Built-To-Order flat.

While is not reported in the local media whether any money changed hands for Jia Jia and Kai Kai to come to Singapore, it is common for zoos overseas to make mandatory donations of about a million dollars for one panda, every year.

 

Ah Meng the Orang Utan

PHOTO: Wildlife Reserves Singapore

Singapore Tourism Board darling and Singapore Zoo star Ah Meng (now deceased) had as great a career as any animal could wish for, and might even be the envy of some Mediacorp personalities.

According to the British newspaper, The Telegraph, Ah Meng was interviewed by more than 300 writers and appeared in more than 30 travel films, reportedly commanding fees of more than $3,000 an hour.

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Ah Meng went one step further and monetised this important meal of the day with the launch of "Breakfast with Ah Meng" in 1982.

She met with dignitaries like Prince Philip, Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and was conferred the "Special Tourism Ambassador" award in 1992 for her efforts to raising the profile of Singapore.

When she died in 2008, about 4,000 people attended her memorial service!

 

Koalas Paddle, Pellita, Chan and Idalia

PHOTO: Wildlife Reserves Singapore

As part of SG50 celebrations and to mark the 50th anniversary of Australia-Singapore diplomatic relations, these expatriates from Australia were in Singapore for a 6-month stint in 2015.

Because of the koalas' special dietary requirement of eucalyptus leaves, the Australian airline Qantas transported fresh supplies two times every week for the duration of their stay.

Assets: Singapore Zoo spent about $1 million constructing the custom-designed enclosure with humidity and temperature control.

Also, the koalas were asleep most of the time they were in Singapore. It is normal for koala to sleep 20 hours per day. Not bad for a job assignment, isn't it?

 

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