Jurong Bird Park Will Move To Join The Zoo As Part Of Mandai’s New 5-In-1 Park
2019 has been an eventful year for many of us, but 5,000 residents in Singapore will be embarking on an exodus to Mandai in 2020. Some of them may even be flying to their new home, to be exact.
We look back at Jurong Bird Park‘s incredible 48-year run, and what’s in store for visitors of the upcoming mega reserve in Mandai.
Jurong Bird Park was built before zoo due to costs
Dr Goh Keng Swee – our former Deputy Prime Minister – is credited with spearheading the notion of a nature reserve dedicated to our avian friends back in 1968.
Considering the costs of bird feed versus meat, Dr Goh thought that building a bird park was more wallet-friendly than a zoo.
In his words,
Bird seeds cost much lesser than meat for lions and tigers.
It was also a test of whether our budding nation could develop and sustain a nature reserve dedicated to conserving animals.
Queen Elizabeth visited Jurong Bird Park a year after launch
After convincing Mr Lee Kuan Yew and the government of its feasibility, a $3.5 million facility was launched on 3 Jan 1971.
Queen Elizabeth II later visited Jurong Bird Park while on a royal visit to Singapore, a year after it was opened. She was reportedly impressed by the Waterfall Aviary & collection of birds.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also shared on Facebook that his interaction with a Harris hawk in 1988, is still a fond Bird Park memory for him today.
Performing ‘human-like’ bird tricks were phased out in the 90s
Many fervent fans will remember watching in awe as birds soared overhead in the grand finale of the park’s bird show.
Back in the 80s, birds were made to perform ‘human-like’ tricks like bicycling on a tight rope, or shooting a basketball into a hoop.
When the 1990s came around, a transition was made to more natural stunts — like flying across the crowd or parroting a conversation with a guest. This formed the basis for the show we know and love today.
Close to 50 years of bird conservation efforts
Today, close to 50 years after it opened, Jurong Bird Park has left a string of momentous firsts in its wake.
From housing the rarest blue macaws in the world – as featured in the Dreamworks animated film Rio – to a pair of celebrity raptors from Philippines who are critically endangered.
The facility quickly grew from 1,000 birds to 5,000 today — with a full avian hospital, breeding research centre.
They’re also famous for their free-flying bird exhibits. The Waterfall Aviary boasts a 30-metre waterfall, ample space for 600 residents to fly freely, as the second largest walk-in aviary in the world.
Historic Mandai move announced in 2016
Jurong Bird Park’s momentous move to Mandai was announced back in 2016.
As for what’s in store for Singapore’s feathered friends, a spacious 17-hectare forest will be dedicated to brand new exhibits for the birds.
Efforts to relocate the birds are already underway, although a launch date for the new site hasn’t been announced yet.
Jurong Bird Park will probably be renamed soon
When plans to rename the park were announced, many began reminiscing on the wonderful times they shared with their families.
Although an official name hasn’t been revealed, we’re not sure that Mandai Bird Park will have the same ring to it, or evoke the same sense of nostalgia.
Of course, we’re more than ready to embrace change with open wings.
3 months to complete bird ‘migration’
Staff estimate that it will take about 3 months in total to move all of the birds to their new home in Mandai.
In the meantime, Jurong Bird Park will operate as per normal as the move is carried out.
After the move is complete, the premises will be “returned to the Government” for redevelopment, reports TODAY.
Jurong Bird Park joins 4 other Mandai reserves by 2022
With Jurong Bird Park & Rainforest Park slated for a grand opening next year in 2020, they’ll be joining the Mandai Zoo, Night Safari & River Safari to become a mega 5-in-1 nature reserve come 2022.
Once the entire flock has settled into their new home, we’ll be bidding goodbye to Jurong Bird Park for good.
9 walk-in aviaries & revamped Rainforest Park
Coined one of the pillars of the Mandai Project, Singapore’s new Bird Park will have “naturalistic habitats” and enough space for interactive habits where birds are allowed to roam freely.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of the attractions that have been confirmed so far:
- 9 globally themed walk-through aviaries
- Conservation sanctuaries for endangered birds
- Free-flying tropical bird exhibits
- Waterside trail with roaming Caribbean flamingos
- Breeding & conservation facilities for new bird species
Shuttle buses from Thomson-East Coast Line
Of course, since Mandai is located in the far Northwest of Singapore, it’s going to be quite a chore to get there by public transport.
But once the Thomson-East Coast line is up, shuttle buses from Springleaf MRT station will be introduced.
Farewell Jurong Bird Park, thanks for the memories
If you want to pay the Jurong Bird Park a visit soon, here’s what you need to know to get there.
Jurong Bird Park
Address: 2 Jurong Hill, Singapore 628925
Opening Hours: Mon to Sun, 8.30am to 6.00pm, Last entry at 5.30pm
Nearest MRT: Boon Lay Station (30-min via Bus 194 from Boon Lay Int)
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram
We’ve looked back at Jurong Bird Park’s historic 48-year run with a heavy dose of nostalgia, but we’re also excited about what the future holds in Mandai.
The great news is that it’ll be easier to hit up all 5 reserves, or select whichever fits your itinerary since they’ll all be in the same place.
What fond memories do you treasure at the Jurong Bird Park? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.
Featured image adapted from Mandai Project.
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