Jurong Bird Park

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Jurong Bird Park
Jurong Bird Park Logo.png
Jurong Bird Park 2014.jpg
Date opened3 January 1971; 50 years ago (1971-01-03)
LocationJurong, Singapore
2 Jurong Hill, Singapore 628925
(1971–2022)
Mandai, Singapore
80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826 (2022 onwards)
Coordinates1°19′05″N 103°42′26″E / 1.31806°N 103.70722°E / 1.31806; 103.70722Coordinates: 1°19′05″N 103°42′26″E / 1.31806°N 103.70722°E / 1.31806; 103.70722
Land area20.2 ha (50 acres)
No. of animals12,000[1]
No. of species500[1]
Annual visitors768,933 (FY 2019/20)[2]
OwnerWildlife Reserves Singapore
Websitewww.wrs.com.sg/en/jurong-bird-park.html

Jurong Bird Park is an aviary and tourist attraction in Jurong, Singapore. The bird park covers an area of 0.2 square kilometres (49 acres) on the western slope of Jurong Hill, the highest point in the Jurong region. It is one of the parks managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore the makers of Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari.

Wildlife Reserves Singapore reported on 1 June 2016 that in 2020, Jurong Bird Park would be relocated to Mandai Lake Road with a new name for the Bird Park.[3][4] However, due to impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, the move was pushed back to 2022.

From the makers of Night Safari Singapore Zoo and River Safari

History[]

American flamingo at Jurong Bird Park

The idea of a permanent aviary was first conceived by the late Dr Goh Keng Swee, then Minister for Finance, in 1968. During a World Bank meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Dr Goh visited its zoological garden and was impressed with its free-flight aviary. He set out to ensure that Singaporeans would have a place where they could escape from urban life and relax with nature.[5][6]

Work on the aviary started in January 1969.[7] A 35-acre site on the western slope of Bukit Peropok in Jurong was chosen for the project. The bird park was expected to be completed by the end of 1969.[8]

On 3 January 1971, Jurong Bird Park, built at a cost of S$3.5 million, was opened to the public.[9]

Jurong Bird Park is now a world-famous bird zoo where there are specimens of magnificent bird life from around the world, including a large flock of flamingos. It is currently the world's largest bird park in terms of the number of birds, and second largest both in the number of bird species and land area (after Germany's Weltvogelpark Walsrode). There are 5,000 birds of 400 species in Jurong Bird Park, of which 29 are of threatened species.[1]

In 2006, Jurong Bird Park completed a S$10 million makeover. As a result of the upgrade, the park got a new entrance plaza, a park-owned and managed Bongo Burgers restaurant, an ice cream parlour, a gift shop and a bird hospital.[10]

Animals and Zones[]

Waterfall Aviary[]

Animals

Dinosaur Descendants[]

Animals

Wings of Asia[]

Animals

Lory Loft[]

Animals

African Treetops[]

Animals

Parrot Paradise[]

Animals

Birds of Prey[]

Animals

Penguin Coast[]

Animals

Pelican Cove and Flamingo Lake[]

Animals

Hornbills & Toucans[]

Animals

Windows of Paradise[]

Animals

Twelve-wired bird-of-paradise

Royal Ramble[]

Animals

Wetlands[]

Animals

Flamingo Pool[]

Animals

  • Green iguana
  • Cuban rock iguana
  • American flamingo
  • Lesser flamingo
  • Cape shelduck

Shows[]

High Flyers Show[]

A rooster and the show presenter as seen during High Flyers show

This bird show has the world's largest number of performing birds in a single act. Besides highlighting the antics of talented birds like the mimicking cockatoos, this show is also a window onto the natural behaviour of birds like pelicans, flamingos and hornbills. The show still continues even during the COVID-19 situation with social distancing in place.

Kings of the Skies Show[]

Visitors watch birds of prey such as eagles, hawks and falcons, who will fly in loops and soar above the treetops. Visitors also learn about falconry as these birds are put through their paces in a simulated hunt.

Lunch with the Parrots[]

Visitors enjoy a parrot show over lunch in front of the flamingo lake.

Others[]

Aside from birds, the park also housed some other species of animals in later years to increase the number visitors, though have stopped again to preserve the title of being a bird-only zoo.[citation needed]

In addition, the escapees of the now-defunct Jurong Reptile Park currently reside in the park as well.[citation needed]

Awards[]

Awarded to Jurong Bird Park:[11]

  • Michelin 2-star rating, 2008
  • Conservation & Research Award, International Symposium on Breeding Birds in Captivity, 2006 and 2007
  • Excellence Award, Association of Southeast Asian Nations Tourism Association, 2004 and 2007
  • Best Loved Pro-Family Business, Singapore, 2006
  • Superstar Winner of the Excellent Service Awards, Singapore Tourism Board, 2004
  • Tourism Host of the Year, Singapore Tourism Board, 2003
  • Breeders Award, American Pheasant and Waterfowl Society, 2001
  • Highly Commended, Tourism For Tomorrow International Awards, 1993
  • First Breeders Award by the American Pheasant & Waterfowl Society, 2001

Transportation[]

Jurong Bird Park is not currently served directly by any MRT line, with the nearest station being Boon Lay MRT station. The planned Jurong Hill MRT station on the Jurong Region line will serve the park when it opens in 2029.

There is a bus service operated by SBS Transit which calls at the bus stop outside the park.[12]

Gallery[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Park experience". Jurong Bird Park.
  2. ^ "WRS Yearbook 2018/2019" (PDF). Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
  3. ^ "Mandai Area Set for Major Redevelopment". Today. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  4. ^ "Mandai nature precinct will house two new wildlife parks". Channel NewsAsia. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  5. ^ "Goh tells why the bird park was built". The Straits Times. 4 January 1971. pp. 15–16. Retrieved 1 June 2016 – via NewspaperSG.
  6. ^ "Sociologists Have a Point, Says Dr. Goh". Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  7. ^ Yeo, Toon Joo (3 January 1969). "Work on $1 mil. aviary at Jurong". The Straits Times. p. 6. Retrieved 1 June 2016 – via NewspaperSG.
  8. ^ "Ready by end of year: Jurong's Bird Park". The Straits Times. 11 August 1969. p. 11. Retrieved 1 June 2016 – via NewspaperSG.
  9. ^ "Dr. Goh Opens Park". The Straits Times. 4 January 1971. p. 1. Retrieved 1 June 2016 – via NewspaperSG.
  10. ^ "The pecking order". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 2 March 2007.
  11. ^ "Accreditation and accolades". Wildlife Reserves Singapore. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  12. ^ "Getting here". wrs.com.sg.

Bibliography[]

External links[]

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